pettylawsuit
2026 Fee Schedule

52nd District Court Filing Fees

Complete fee schedule for all case types at Novi's 52nd District Court

Important: PettyLawsuit charges a $29 service fee to help you file your case. This is in addition to the court's filing fees shown below. For example: Small claims up to $600 = $29 (our fee) + $45 (court fee) = $74 total.

$45-70

Small Claims

$175-280

General Civil

$29+

Service Fees

52nd District Court - Division 1
48150 Grand River Ave, Novi
(248) 305-6465
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Complete 2026 Fee Schedule

All fees effective January 1, 2026 for the 52nd District Court

Most Common
Small Claims Court
Cases up to $6,500 - No attorneys allowed
  • Claims up to $600
    $45
  • Claims $601 - $1,750
    Popular
    $55
  • Claims $1,751 - $6,500
    Popular
    $70
  • 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)
    Popular
    $29
  • 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)
    Popular
    $35
  • 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
  • Expungement application
    $50
  • Driver record abstract
    $11
Miscellaneous Fees
Other court services
  • Certified copy
    $10 + $1/page
  • Document search
    $5
  • Subpoena
    $15
  • Bond filing
    $15
  • NSF check charge
    $25

Estimate Your Total Costs

Cost Breakdown Examples
See total costs including PettyLawsuit service fee and court fees

Example 1
Security Deposit Return ($1,200)

Court Filing Fee

$55

Service by Mail

$29

PettyLawsuit Fee

$29

Total Cost:
$113

Example 2
Unpaid Invoice ($5,000)

Court Filing Fee

$70

Personal Service

$45

PettyLawsuit Fee

$29

Total Cost:
$144

Example 3
Contract Dispute ($12,000)

Court Filing Fee

$280

Personal Service

$45

PettyLawsuit Fee

$29

Total Cost:
$354

We handle all the paperwork and filing

Fee Waiver Information
Can't afford court fees? You may qualify for a waiver

Who Qualifies?

  • Receiving public assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, etc.)
  • Income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines
  • Unable to pay fees without substantial hardship

How to Apply

  1. 1. Complete Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request)
  2. 2. Attach proof of income or public assistance
  3. 3. File with your case paperwork
  4. 4. Court reviews and decides (usually same day)
Note: PettyLawsuit's $29 service fee is separate and not covered by court fee waivers. However, we can help you prepare the fee waiver request as part of our service.

Small Claims vs General Civil Costs

ScenarioSmall ClaimsGeneral CivilKey Benefit
Security Deposit Dispute ($1,200)
$55
N/ASimple process
Unpaid Invoice ($5,000)
$70
N/A$0 attorney fees
Property Damage ($8,000)
Not eligible
$175
Attorney allowed
Contract Breach ($15,000)
Not eligible
$280
Full discovery

💡 Pro Tip: Cases under $6,500 benefit from small claims court's simplified procedures and no attorney requirement, saving thousands in legal fees.

Accepted Payment Methods

At the Courthouse
  • Cash
  • Money order
  • Cashier's check
  • Personal check (with ID)
  • Credit cards (3% fee may apply)
Through PettyLawsuit
  • All major credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Bank transfers (ACH)
  • Digital wallets
  • Payment plans available
Refund Policy: Court filing fees are generally non-refundable once your case is filed, even if you dismiss or settle the case. PettyLawsuit offers a satisfaction guarantee on our $29 service fee.

Related 52nd District Court Resources

Save Time and Money Filing Your Case

Skip the courthouse visit. We'll prepare and file all your documents for just $29 plus court fees. Get started in minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to file small claims at 52nd District Court?

Small claims filing fees at the 52nd District Court in Novi 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 52nd District Court?

General civil filing fees at the 52nd 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 52nd District Court?

Yes, the 52nd 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 52nd District Court?

Additional fees at 52nd 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.