How to Sue for an Unpaid Invoice in Nevada Small Claims Court

You finished the work, sent the invoice, followed up three times, and the client still has not paid. If you are a freelancer, sole trader, or small business owner in Nevada owed $10,000 or less, small claims court is built for exactly this kind of dispute.

Check Whether Your Invoice Fits Small Claims

Nevada small claims courts handle money-only claims up to $10,000 under NRS Chapter 73. The court cannot order a client to finish a project or hand over files — it can only award a dollar amount. If a single client owes you more than $10,000 across multiple invoices from one engagement, you can file for $10,000 and waive the remainder, or move to the Justice Court's general civil division, which handles claims up to $15,000.

Written contracts carry a six-year statute of limitations under NRS 11.190(1)(b). Oral agreements and open accounts have four years. The clock starts on the date the payment was due, not the date you finished the work.

Name the Right Defendant

Getting the defendant's legal name wrong can make your judgment unenforceable. If your client operates as an LLC or corporation, search the Nevada Secretary of State portal (SilverFlume) for the exact registered name and the name and address of the registered agent. That registered agent is the person you will serve with court papers.

For sole proprietors using a trade name, you need to name the individual owner personally — "Jane Smith dba Acme Marketing," not just "Acme Marketing." Check the city or county business license records for the owner's legal name.

Send a Demand Letter First

Clark County courts (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas) require a written demand letter before you file. Even where it is not mandatory, judges in Washoe County and rural courts expect to see one. Send it by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested. State the exact amount owed, reference the invoice number and date, and give a clear payment deadline. Henderson's demand must instruct the defendant to pay within 10 days of the date it is sent. Keep the green return receipt card — you will attach it to your complaint.

Las Vegas Township lets you file as soon as the demand is mailed. Henderson requires you to wait at least 15 days from the date the demand is sent; file the demand letter and return receipt with your complaint.

File in the Right Township

Venue is based on where the defendant resides, works, or maintains a business location under NRS 73.010(2). For a contract dispute, you can also file where the work was performed or where the contract was signed, unless a special contract sets a different place. Filing in the wrong township gets your case dismissed or transferred, and a transfer costs $125 in Reno.

Build Your Evidence File

For an unpaid invoice claim, your evidence package should include the signed contract or written agreement, the invoice itself with payment terms and the due date, any email or text correspondence showing the client acknowledged the debt or the work, proof you completed the work (delivery confirmations, project files, photos), and your demand letter with the certified mail receipt.

Bring three complete copies of everything to the hearing — one for the judge, one for the defendant, and one for yourself. In Sparks Justice Court, exhibits must be submitted to the court and the opposing party at least five judicial days before the hearing.

What to Expect at the Hearing

Small claims hearings are informal. The judge will ask you to explain your claim, show your evidence, and state the amount owed. The defendant can present their side. There is no formal discovery process, and you do not need an attorney — in fact, attorney's fees are not recoverable in Nevada small claims under NRS 73.040.

If the defendant does not show up and you have valid proof of service on file, you can ask for a default judgment for the full amount.

Collecting After You Win

A judgment does not automatically put money in your account. If the defendant does not pay voluntarily, you can pursue post-judgment collection through wage garnishment, bank levies, or placing a lien on their property. The sibling guide on judgment collection in Nevada covers the enforcement process step by step.

In the major townships covered by the standard schedule, filing fees range from $66 to $196 depending on the amount you are claiming; rural court fees can vary. The complete Nevada filing guide walks through every step from the demand letter through the hearing, including fillable deadline trackers and an evidence organizer.

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