How to file small claims in Kentucky

Sue for up to $2,500 in the Small Claims Division (District Court); filing fee around $55.

Kentucky's Small Claims Division caps claims at just $2,500 — among the lowest in the U.S. — so larger disputes go to regular court.

• Dollar limit: $2,500 — $2,500 — one of the lowest small-claims caps in the country.
• Filing fee: $55 — About $50–$60 plus service.
• Where to file: Small Claims Division (District Court)
• Lawyers at the hearing: allowed

1. Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
2. Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
3. Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the Small Claims Division clerk or the court's website.
4. File the form with the Small Claims Division for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
5. Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
6. Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
7. Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
8. Kentucky's $2,500 cap is among the lowest; larger claims go to regular District or Circuit Court.

What are you suing for?

• Suing for unpaid loan in Kentucky: 15 years to file
• Suing for security deposit in Kentucky: 15 years to file
• Suing for property damage in Kentucky: 2 years to file
• Suing for unpaid rent in Kentucky: 15 years to file
• Suing for contractor dispute in Kentucky: 5 years to file

Source: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 24A.230. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).

Nearby states: Tennessee ($25,000) · Indiana ($10,000) · Ohio ($6,000) · West Virginia ($10,000) · Virginia ($5,000).

General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.

Updated July 2026