Michigan Small Claims Court Kit: the $7,000 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 Michigan that may fit under $7,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. You as an individual or sole proprietor, or someone acting for the plaintiff who meets the court's conditions (for example a full-time salaried employee with knowledge of the facts, a partner, or a government officer).

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Michigan, 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 Michigan small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Michigan courts: small claims information (DC 84 info, rev. 6/26); Michigan courts: How to get a money judgment in small claims court (DC 84 instructions, rev. 1/24); Michigan Courts: MiFILE court list (courts accepting e-filing and case types; district court standard case types include Small Claims: SC; last revised 10/12/26).
• All 9 Michigan 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 Michigan facts at a glance and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $7,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Michigan filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: The district court in the county where the claim happened or where the defendant is established, resides or is employed (MCL 600.8415). Fees: claim up to $600: $30 ($25 filing fee plus $5 electronic filing system fee); $600 to $1,750: $50 ($45 plus $5); over $1,750: $70 ($65 plus $5). From the SCAO instructions for form DC 84 (rev. 1/24). Service runs from about $15 by certified mail to $26 plus mileage for personal service. Fee waiver: form MC 20. Online filing: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/mifile/mifilecourtlist.pdf
• Service, the hearing and after in Michigan. Service: A process server, or certified mail restricted to the addressee; the clerk can arrange it for a fee. The defendant should get notice at least 7 days before the hearing. Lawyers can't represent a party at the hearing. Appeal: Both parties give up the right to appeal a small claims judgment. Either party can move the case to the general civil division before the hearing, where attorneys, a jury and appeals are allowed.
• 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.
• Michigan small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $7,000, a costs sheet with the Michigan fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.