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Small claims by state · checked

Court: District Court, small claims division. Claims up to $7,000. Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$7,000

$7,000 since January 1, 2024 (MCL 600.8401(e)). The limit is the same for businesses. Frequent filers: a person may not file more than 5 small claims in one week in a district court district (20 when filing for a local government) (MCL 600.8407(2)). Assignees cannot file small claims (MCL 600.8407(1)).

Sources: MCL 600.8401; MCL 600.8407; DC 84info, Small Claims Overview (rev. 6/26) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Filing fee

$30 to $70

Filing and processing fee per the SCAO overview form (DC 84info, rev. 6/26): $30 for claims up to $600, $50 for $600–$1,750, $70 over $1,750. The statutory filing fee alone is $25, $45 or $65 (MCL 600.8420(1)); the overview's amounts are higher because they include the processing fee. Certified-mail postage per defendant is extra (MCL 600.8420(2)), as are process-server and copy fees.

Sources: DC 84info, Small Claims Overview (rev. 6/26); MCL 600.8420 · checked 25 Oct 2026

Lawyers

No lawyers in court

An attorney (except on their own behalf), a collection agency, or any other third party may not take part in filing, prosecuting or defending a small claims case (MCL 600.8408(1)). A corporation is represented by an officer or employee with direct personal knowledge of the facts (MCL 600.8408(2)). Only a full-time salaried employee with knowledge of the facts may file a claim for a corporation (MCL 600.8407(3)). Either party can remove the case to the general civil division, where lawyers are allowed (MCL 600.8408(4)).

Sources: MCL 600.8408; MCL 600.8407; DC 84info, Small Claims Overview (rev. 6/26) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

The court clerk arranges service of the affidavit and notice. This can be by certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery to the addressee only (the clerk mails it, and the signed return card is the proof), or by personal service or process server (MCL 600.8405; DC 84info). For a corporation, MCR 2.105(D) allows service on an officer or the resident agent, or on a director, trustee or person in charge of an office with a registered-mail copy to the principal office. If there is no resident agent, it allows registered mail to the corporation and to the LARA Corporations Division.

Sources: MCL 600.8405; DC 84info, Small Claims Overview (rev. 6/26); Service of Process Table (updated 12/26/25) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Official self-help

Court self-help page

michiganlegalhelp.org/smallclaims

Official page · checked 25 Oct 2026

Suing Meta from Michigan

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a Michigan small-claims case is leverage, not a sure thing. Read the small-claims checklist before you pay a fee, then draft your demand letter in the free kit: pick Michigan and it checks your loss amount against the limit.

Fees and limits change, and local courts can add costs. Confirm with the court clerk before you file.

LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Draft the demand letter

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Michigan small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in Michigan?
$7,000 since January 1, 2024 (MCL 600.8401(e)). The limit is the same for businesses. Frequent filers: a person may not file more than 5 small claims in one week in a district court district (20 when filing for a local government) (MCL 600.8407(2)). Assignees cannot file small claims (MCL 600.8407(1)).
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Michigan?
Filing and processing fee per the SCAO overview form (DC 84info, rev. 6/26): $30 for claims up to $600, $50 for $600–$1,750, $70 over $1,750. The statutory filing fee alone is $25, $45 or $65 (MCL 600.8420(1)); the overview's amounts are higher because they include the processing fee. Certified-mail postage per defendant is extra (MCL 600.8420(2)), as are process-server and copy fees. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in Michigan?
An attorney (except on their own behalf), a collection agency, or any other third party may not take part in filing, prosecuting or defending a small claims case (MCL 600.8408(1)). A corporation is represented by an officer or employee with direct personal knowledge of the facts (MCL 600.8408(2)). Only a full-time salaried employee with knowledge of the facts may file a claim for a corporation (MCL 600.8407(3)). Either party can remove the case to the general civil division, where lawyers are allowed (MCL 600.8408(4)).
Where do these facts come from?
Each fact on this page links to the official court, statute or government source we read. We last checked Michigan on 25 Oct 2026. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.
Is this legal advice?
No. LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. It shows general information from official sources; confirm with the court clerk before you file.