How to file small claims in Tennessee
Sue for up to $25,000 in the General Sessions Court; filing fee around $150.
Tennessee General Sessions Courts hear claims up to $25,000 — among the highest caps — but note the short one-year deadline for personal-injury claims.
- Dollar limit: $25,000 — $25,000 in General Sessions Court (no limit for eviction or to recover personal property).
- Filing fee: $150 — About $100–$200 by county, plus service.
- Where to file: General Sessions Court
- Lawyers at the hearing: allowed
- Confirm your claim is at or under the dollar limit and within the statute of limitations for your claim type.
- Send a written demand letter first — most courts expect it, and it often gets you paid without filing.
- Get the correct filing form (often a "Statement of Claim" or "Plaintiff's Claim") from the General Sessions Court clerk or the court's website.
- File the form with the General Sessions Court for the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, and pay the filing fee.
- Arrange service of process so the defendant is officially notified (by the sheriff, certified mail, or a process server, per local rules).
- Gather your evidence — contract, texts, photos, receipts, the demand letter — and bring organized copies to your hearing.
- Show up on your court date and present your case; if you win, ask the judge how to collect the judgment.
- Tennessee's General Sessions Court has one of the highest caps ($25,000); either side may appeal to Circuit Court for a new trial within 10 days.
What are you suing for?
Source: Tenn. Code § 16-15-501. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).
Nearby states: Kentucky ($2,500) · Virginia ($5,000) · North Carolina ($10,000) · Georgia ($15,000) · Alabama ($6,000) · Mississippi ($3,500) · Arkansas ($5,000) · Missouri ($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