Small Claims

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Commonly Used Small Claims Forms

• Affidavit and Claim Small Claims DC84
• instdc84, Instructions for Affidavit and Claim, Small Claims
• DC 85, Judgment/Dismissal, Small Claims
• Demand and Order for Removal, Small Claims - DC86
• Motion and Affidavit to Set Aside Default MC99
• DC99Voluntary Dismissal - MC09
• Collecting Money in Small Claims DCI48
• Subpoena-Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC11
• Motion for Installment Payments - MC1
• Motion to Set Aside Order for Installment Payments - MC16
• Certificate of Satisfied Judgment - MC17
• Request and Order to Seize Property - MC19
• Motion, Affidavit and Bench Warrant - MC 229
• Motion and Order to Show Cause - MC230
• Order for Administrative Closing Due to Bankruptcy Stay - MC300
• Motion and Verification for Alternate Service - MC303
• Order for Alternate Service - MC304
• Order - MC327
• Motion and Order to Extend Small Claims
• Motion and Notice of Hearing

$20 fee required on all motions.

• Claim is $600.00 and under: $25 + $5 eFiling fee | Total = $30
• Claim is $600.01 to $1,750.00: $45 + $5 eFiling fee | Total = $50
• Claim is $1,750.01 to $7,000.00: $65 + $5 eFiling fee | Total = $70

Please see service fees for the breakdown on having the defendant served.

• Fee for Court's Process Server - per defendant*: Rate Fluctuates
• Mileage Fees*: Rate Fluctuates

Process Servers

Please choose from one of the following process servers:

• Hope and Associates - (810) 239-7788
• Rancillio and Associates - (586) 792-3810
• Johnson Process Serving: (810) 845-1846

Certified Mail

• Certified Mail - per defendant $20.00 (Starting September 1, 2025)

The plaintiff or defendant may remove the case from Small Claims Division to the General Civil Division of the district court for the case to be heard by a judge.

You must file your small claims case in the court which has the proper venue (the court in which proceedings may be instituted).  In most cases, venue is proper where the defendant (1) resides, (2) has a place of business or conducts business, (3) if the defendant is a corporation, where the registered office is located (MCL 600.1621(a)). The 48^th District Court serves the jurisdictions of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Orchard Lake and West Bloomfield Township.

You can start a lawsuit against a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation. A sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation as plaintiff or defendant may be represented by a full-time employee who has direct and personal knowledge of the facts in dispute. Partnerships may be represented by a general partner.

A person cannot file more than five (5) claims in the small claims division in one (1) week.

A county, city, village or township may file twenty (20) claims in the small claims division in one (1) week.

Once you have established the proper venue (the court in which proceedings may be instituted), you have to complete an Affidavit and Claim - DC84 form.

• The defendant's correct legal name, address and telephone number.
• When suing a business, you must indicate whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership or a corporation.
• Reasons for the claim.
• The date the claim arose.
• Amount of money claimed. You may ask for court costs on the Affidavit and Claim - DC84 by writing the amount of money claimed plus costs. The Court will determine if costs will be awarded. Costs include the filing fee, motion fee and service fee.
• You must sign the Affidavit and Claim - DC84 form in the presence of a court deputy clerk or a notary public.
• Visit the Small Claims Fees page to find the costs associated with starting a case.

The defendant (individuals or business being sued) has to be served with a copy of the Affidavit and Claim - DC84 form by an appointed court officer, legally competent adult who is not a party or by certified mail for an additional fee ($18 per individual, $10 for a business) that is added to the filing fee. If you elect to utilize a bonded court process server, the agency will send you an invoice for the service fee plus mileage calculated at 1½ times the State of Michigan premium rate. MCL 600.2559(3). 

Please Note: Court process servers may require payment prior to rendering services. 

When you file your small claims case, the clerk will give you a hearing date approximately 45 days from the date of filing, depending on the docket. All small claims cases start with mediation. If the parties are unable to resolve their conflict on the scheduled court date, then the case will proceed to trial that same day if time permits. It is advisable to call the court the day before the hearing date to ensure that proper service was obtained.

The court may reschedule your case only for good cause shown. You may write a letter to the magistrate with an explanation and verification of why you cannot attend. For verification you must provide a copy of your travel itinerary, doctor's note, etc. Please include the date that you will be returning so the clerk does not reschedule the hearing while you are unavailable. Your request must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the hearing date. You may mail or fax your letter to the court. You must also pay a $20 motion fee.

If the plaintiff fails to appear for the hearing, the case will be dismissed. If the defendant fails to appear, a default judgment will be entered for the plaintiff. The court will prepare the appropriate judgment. Both parties in these instances would have the right to file a motion to set aside the dismissal/default judgment within 21 days from the date the dismissal or the default judgment is signed. Download the Motion to Set Aside Default and Order - DC99 form to file a motion to set aside the dismissal/default judgment. If the motion is granted, a trial date could occur immediately following the outcome of the motion or a new trial date may be held.

The case will be heard by a magistrate. The magistrate's decision can be appealed within seven (7) days from the date of the judgment. If the magistrate's decision is appealed, the case will be scheduled to be heard before a district judge. Once the judge makes a final decision, it is final and there is no further right to appeal.

If the magistrate/judge renders a judgment, the court will prepare the appropriate judgment and the defendant will have 21 days from the date of the judgment to pay the amount of the judgment. The court does not collect the judgment for you. If the defendant does not pay within 21 days from the date of the judgment, you may start collection procedures. Refer to Collecting Money From A Small Claims Judgment - DCI84 to find out procedures on how to collect your money.

A small claims judgment is valid for six (6) years from date of entry.

When the judgment is paid in full, the plaintiff must complete a Satisfaction of Judgment - MC17 form and submit it to the court.

A mediator is not a judge. The parties voluntarily enter into a settlement with a mediator. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party assists communication between the parties. The mediator assist in identifying issues and helps explore possible settlement solutions.

Mediation allows the parties to determine a solution that will provide an agreement that is satisfactory to everyone. Parties using mediation do not give up any of their legal rights and if you are unable to reach a settlement, a trial before a Magistrate will be held at a future date determined by the Court.

If the plaintiff fails to appear for the hearing, the case will be dismissed. If the defendant fails to appear, a default judgment will be entered. The court will prepare the appropriate judgment. Both parties in these instances would have the right to file a motion to set aside the dismissal/default judgment within 21 days from the date the dismissal or the default judgment is signed.

Download the Motion to Set Aside Default and Order - DC99 form to file a motion to set aside the dismissal/default judgment. If the motion is granted, a trial date could occur immediately following the outcome of the motion or a new trial date may be held.

If the lawsuit is settled before the hearing date, you must submit a statement in writing to the court before the hearing date advising the court that the case has been settled and the hearing is not necessary. The clerk will prepare a dismissal and mail copies to all parties.