Indiana Small Claims Court Kit: the $10,000 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 Indiana that may fit under $10,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. The person or business to whom the money is owed. Corporations, LLCs and similar entities may use an attorney, an owner or a designated full-time employee; assigned claims (collection agencies) need an attorney.

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Indiana, 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 Indiana small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Indiana Office of Court Services: Small Claims Manual (2026 edition, updated 12/23/2025); Indiana Office of Court Services: Trial Court Fee Manual (current through the 2026 legislative session); Indiana Judicial Branch: E-filing implementation schedule (available in all Indiana trial courts; unrepresented litigants may e-file).
• All 9 Indiana 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 Indiana facts at a glance and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $10,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Indiana filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: Any county where the transaction or occurrence took place, the obligation was incurred or is to be performed, or the defendant resides or works. Fees: Small claim filed on paper, one defendant (filing fee plus the fees collected with it): $97 ($35 small claims costs fee, $10 service fee and $52 in other statutory fees); Small claim filed electronically, one defendant (total): $87 (no service fee on e-filed actions); Marion County township small claims court, one defendant (total): $130 (separate schedule); Service fee for each additional named defendant (paper filings): $10; Sheriff service, if requested: $28. From the Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual (Office of Court Services, current through the 2026 legislative session): outside the Marion County township courts a small claim costs $97 with one defendant on paper ($35 small claims costs fee under IC 33-37-4-6 plus the fees collected with it), or $87 if e-filed. A jury trial request costs $70. Fee waivers are available for people who can't pay. Online filing: https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/schedule
• Service, the hearing and after in Indiana. Service: The clerk or sheriff delivers the notice of claim, or certified mail; it must be served at least 10 days before the court date. Lawyers are allowed. Appeal: To the Indiana Court of Appeals, within 30 days of the small claims judgment.
• 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.
• Indiana small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $10,000, a costs sheet with the Indiana fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.