State | Dollar Limit |
---|---|
$6,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$3,500 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$10,000 for individuals, except that a plaintiff may not file a claim over $2,500 more than twice a year. Limit for local public entity or for businesses is $5,000. $6,500 is the limit in suits by an individual against a guarantor that charges for its guarantor or surety services. Until February 1, 2025, court may hear claims for COVID-related rental debt of any amount (limit of two filings per year does not apply to such actions). |
|
$7,500 |
|
$5,000 (landlord-tenant security deposit penalties can exceed $5,000); $15,000 for home improvement contracts |
|
$25,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$8,000 |
|
$15,000 (no limit in eviction cases). |
|
$5,000; no limit on landlord-tenant residential security deposit cases. For the return of leased or rented personal property, the property must not be worth more than $5,000. |
|
$5,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$6,500 |
|
$4,000 |
|
$2,500 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$6,000 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$7,000; no limit for property damage caused by a motor vehicle, some statutory damages and attorney fee awards, and awards of double or triple damages under the Consumer Protection Laws. |
|
$6,500 |
|
$15,000 ($4,000 for claims involving consumer credit transactions) |
|
$3,500 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$7,000 |
|
$3,900 from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025 (adjusted every five years based on the Consumer Price Index) |
|
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 in New York City; $5,000 in Nassau County, Western Suffolk County, and City Courts (excluding NYC); $3,000 in Eastern Suffolk County, Town Courts, and Village Courts. |
|
$10,000 |
|
$15,000 |
|
$6,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 |
|
$12,000 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$7,500 |
|
$12,000 |
|
$25,000; no limit in eviction suits or suits to recover personal property |
|
$20,000 |
|
$11,000 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$5,000 |
|
$10,000 if brought by natural person; $5,000 all other cases |
|
$10,000 |
|
$10,000; no limit in eviction suits |
|
$6,000 |
*Check your court's website for any special rules or exclusions.
For the information, tips, and strategies you need to sue someone successfully in small claims court, see Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, by Cara O'Neill (Nolo).
We wholeheartedly encourage research and learning, but online articles can't address all issues or the facts of your case, and the law can change. The best way to protect yourself is by hiring a local lawyer.
Updated October 23, 2023