pettylawsuit
2026 FEE SCHEDULE

48th District Court Filing Fees

Complete fee schedule for Bloomfield Township courts • Updated for 2026

Small Claims

$45-$70

Up to $6,500

General Civil

$175-$280

$6,501-$25,000

PettyLawsuit Fee

$29

+ court fees

Important: PettyLawsuit charges a $29 service fee for document preparation and filing assistance. Court filing fees shown below are paid separately to the 48th District Court. Total cost = $29 (our fee) + court filing fee + any service costs.

Complete Fee Schedule

Small Claims Court
Most Common
Cases up to $6,500 - No attorneys allowed
Claims up to $600
$45
Claims $601 - $1,750
$55
Popular
Claims $1,751 - $6,500
$70
Popular
Motion to set aside default
$20
Appeal to circuit court
$150
General Civil Division
Cases $6,501 - $25,000 - Attorneys allowed
Claims $6,501 - $10,000
$175
Claims $10,001 - $25,000
$280
Motion filing
$20
Jury demand (6 jurors)
$125
Discovery motions
$20
Service of Process
Getting papers to the defendant
Certified mail (in-state)
$29
Popular
Personal service (local)
$35-50
Personal service (out-of-county)
$50-75
Publication service
$100+
Alternative service
Varies
Post-Judgment Collection
Enforcing your judgment
Writ of execution
$15
Garnishment (wages/bank)
$35
Popular
Judgment debtor exam
$35
Abstract of judgment
$15
Satisfaction of judgment
$10
Criminal & Traffic
Misdemeanors and traffic violations
Traffic ticket fine
Varies
Criminal case costs
$68+
Warrant recall motion
$50
Appeal bond
$100+
Probation violation
$50
Copies & Records
Document copies and certifications
Certified copies
$10 + $1/page
Regular copies
$1/page
Electronic copies
$5-10
Record searches
$5
Case file review
Free

Filing Fee Comparison by Claim Amount

Claim AmountSmall ClaimsGeneral CivilRecommendation
$0 - $600$45N/A
Use small claims
$601 - $1,750$55N/A
Use small claims
$1,751 - $6,500$70N/A
Use small claims
$6,501 - $10,000Not eligible$175
Must use general civil
$10,001 - $25,000Not eligible$280
Must use general civil
Pro tip: Small claims court is faster, cheaper, and simpler for claims up to $6,500. No attorneys are allowed, which levels the playing field.

Understanding Your Total Costs

Example: Filing a $3,000 Small Claim
Here's exactly what you'll pay
PettyLawsuit Service Fee$29
Court Filing Fee ($1,751-$6,500)$70
Service by Certified Mail$29
Total Cost$128
Compare this to hiring a lawyer at $300+/hour or collection agencies taking 30-50% of your recovery!

Fee Waivers & Payment Options

Fee Waiver Eligibility

You may qualify for a fee waiver if you:

  • Receive public assistance (food stamps, Medicaid, etc.)
  • Have income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines
  • Cannot pay without substantial hardship

Use Form MC 20 to request a waiver

Payment Methods Accepted

The 48th District Court accepts:

  • Cash (exact change recommended)
  • Personal checks
  • Money orders
  • Credit/debit cards (may include processing fee)

PettyLawsuit accepts all major cards online

Pay Fees at 48th District Court

Court Location

4280 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
(248) 758-3880
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Areas Served

  • • Bloomfield Township
  • • City of Bloomfield Hills
  • • City of Sylvan Lake
  • • City of Keego Harbor
  • • Orchard Lake Village

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More 48th District Court Resources

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to file small claims at 48th District Court?

Small claims filing fees at the 48th District Court in Bloomfield are: $45 for claims up to $600, $55 for claims $601-$1,750, and $70 for claims $1,751-$6,500. Additional service fees of $29 for certified mail or $35-50 for personal service apply. PettyLawsuit charges $29 to handle all paperwork (court fees are additional).

What are general civil filing fees at 48th District Court?

General civil filing fees at the 48th District Court are: $175 for claims $6,501-$10,000 and $280 for claims $10,001-$25,000. Cases over $25,000 must be filed in Oakland County Circuit Court. These fees don't include service costs or motion fees.

Can I get a fee waiver at 48th District Court?

Yes, the 48th District Court offers fee waivers for qualified low-income individuals. You must complete Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request) and provide proof of income, public assistance, or financial hardship. The court will review and decide on your waiver request.

What additional fees might I pay at 48th District Court?

Additional fees at 48th District Court include: service by mail ($29), personal service ($35-50), motion filing ($20), garnishment ($35), writ of execution ($15), jury demand ($125 for 6 jurors), certified copies ($10 plus $1/page), and various post-judgment collection fees.

Does PettyLawsuit's $29 fee include court costs?

No, PettyLawsuit's $29 service fee is separate from court filing fees. The $29 covers document preparation, form completion, and filing assistance. You'll still need to pay the court's filing fees ($45-280) and any service fees. Think of it as $29 for our help plus the actual court costs.