Alabama Small Claims Court Kit: the $6,000 Limit, Filing Guide, Demand Letter, Evidence and Hearing Prep, and a Claim Calculator

Who it is for

People and small businesses with a money claim in Alabama that may fit under $6,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. An individual who has reached age 19, a partnership or a corporation (Lawrence County page). A partnership or corporation without an attorney is represented by a partner, officer or full-time employee.

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Alabama, over its small claims limit, or needs a lawyer (an injury, a dispute over land, a family case). Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Alabama small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Russell County Circuit Clerk: Small Claims; Lawrence County Circuit Clerk: Small Claims; AlaFile Frequently Asked Questions (Pro Se parties may register for AlaFile and file electronically in some divisions).
• All 9 Alabama facts in the kit are confirmed on an official page.
• Official forms are linked, not copied, so you always file the court's current version.

What is inside

• Start here and is small claims right?. How to use the kit, the 9 confirmed Alabama facts at a glance and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $6,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Alabama filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: The small claims division of the district court in the county where the person or business you are suing lives or has an office (Lawrence County), or the county where the transaction took place (Russell County). Fees: Russell County: claim up to $1,500, one defendant: $85; Russell County: $1,500.01 to $3,000: $159; Russell County: $3,000.01 to $6,000: $248; Lawrence County: claim up to $1,500, one defendant: $56; Lawrence County: $1,500.01 to $3,000: $130; Lawrence County: $3,000.01 to $6,000: $219; each additional defendant: $15 (both county pages). Two circuit clerk pages list different amounts for the same claim sizes, so fees differ by county. Service by sheriff or certified mail is extra. Filing fees are non-refundable. Check your county's circuit clerk page on alacourt.gov. Online filing: https://efile.alacourt.gov/
• Service, the hearing and after in Alabama. Service: The sheriff serves the statement of claim, or it is sent by certified mail (restricted delivery for individuals). The defendant has 14 days to answer. Lawyers are allowed. Appeal: Notice of appeal with the small claims clerk within 14 calendar days after the judgment. The appeal goes to circuit court, where the simplified small claims procedures don't apply.
• Demand letter and response tracker. A neutral demand letter to fill in (what happened, the amount, a reply-by date, how to pay), a log of every reply and offer, and a short checklist before sending.
• Evidence organizer and hearing prep. An exhibit list numbered for the judge, a timeline, witness notes, a three-minute opening outline and a hearing-day packing list.
• Alabama small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $6,000, a costs sheet with the Alabama fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.