Small Claims Court Eligibility Calculator
Determine whether your dispute qualifies for small claims court based on your state's monetary limits, claim type, and party eligibility.
Some states limit filings per year (e.g., CA: 2 for individuals, 12 for businesses)
Eligibility Formula
Eligible = (Claim Amount ≤ State Limit for Party Type) AND (Claim Type is Permitted) AND (Defendant is not a Government Entity) AND (Annual Filing Count < State Maximum)
Confidence Score = 100 − 50×(amount_over_limit) − 50×(ineligible_claim_type) − 30×(government_defendant) − 5×(number_of_warnings), clamped to [0, 100]
% of Limit Used = (Claim Amount ÷ State Limit) × 100
State limits vary by plaintiff type. Example: California — individuals: $12,500; businesses: $6,250. New York — individuals: $10,000; businesses: $5,000.
Assumptions & References
- Monetary limits are based on 2024 state statutes and may change. Always verify with your local court.
- California limits individuals to 2 claims exceeding $2,500 per calendar year; businesses to 12 claims per year (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.231).
- Small claims courts only award monetary damages — they cannot issue injunctions, restraining orders, or handle criminal matters.
- Divorce, custody, and criminal matters are categorically excluded from small claims jurisdiction in all U.S. states.
- Suing a government entity typically requires exhausting administrative remedies first (e.g., filing a government tort claim).
- Eviction (unlawful detainer) is permitted in small claims court in some states but not all — verify locally.
- Businesses must typically be represented by an officer or owner, not an outside attorney, in small claims court.
- Filing fees typically range from $30 to $100 depending on state and claim amount.
- Sources: National Center for State Courts (NCSC), individual state court websites, Nolo.com Small Claims Court guides.
- This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.