Utah Small Claims Court Kit: the $20,000 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 Utah that may fit under $20,000, and people who have been sued there and want the same organized record. Persons or corporations, with or without counsel; corporations may act through authorized employees. Assignees may not file or prosecute claims (78A-8-102(6), 78A-8-103).

Not the right fit if

Your claim is outside Utah, 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 Utah small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Utah Code Title 78A Chapter 8 Small Claims Courts; Utah State Courts: Filing/Record Fees; Utah State Courts: Small Claims.
• 1 detail isn't stated on those pages, so the kit leaves it out and lists it once to look up, with the 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 Utah facts at a glance, a short look-up list (online filing) with the page to check, and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $20,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from.
• Utah filing guide. Where and how to file, from the official pages: Where the defendant resides or the debt was incurred (78A-8-102). Fees: claim of $2,000 or less: $60; claim over $2,000 and less than $7,500: $100; claim of $7,500 up to $20,000: $185; counter affidavit, $2,000 or less: $50; counter affidavit, over $2,000 and less than $7,500: $70; counter affidavit, $7,500 up to $20,000: $120. Utah Code 78A-2-301(1)(c) and (e), from the Utah courts fee schedule effective May 6, 2026.
• Service, the hearing and after in Utah. Service: The plaintiff must arrange to have the defendant served and keep copies of everything served. If the case is not using ODR, "you must have the defendant served at least 30 days before the trial"; for cases using ODR, "within 120 days of filing the case." Then "file proof of service with the court." The Utah courts Serving Papers page lists the ways to serve. Lawyers are allowed. Appeal: Either party may appeal to the district court of the county by filing notice in the original trial court within 28 days of entry of judgment; trial de novo under small claims procedures (78A-8-106).
• 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.
• Utah small claims workbook (Excel). A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $20,000 and $25,000 (limit scheduled from January 1, 2030), a costs sheet with the Utah fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.