How to File Small Claims in Indiana: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Indiana, go to the Small Claims Court in your township. File where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Fill out the claim form. Pay the filing fee (about $35 to $70 depending on your county). Wait for your hearing. You can claim up to $10,000. Hearings are usually set 30 to 60 days out. You don't need a lawyer.

What Is Indiana Small Claims Court?

Indiana's small claims system is a bit different from most states. Small claims cases are handled at the township level, not the county level. Each township has its own Small Claims Court. The court is run by a judge or hearing officer.

One exception is Marion County (Indianapolis). Marion County has its own system under Ind. Code § 33-34. It works differently. Check indy.gov for forms and rules.

Indiana small claims handles:

The process is for regular people. No lawyer needed. Just bring your facts and evidence.

Indiana Small Claims Limit: $10,000

The Indiana small claims limit is $10,000 statewide. This applies to all 92 Indiana counties. Before 2021, limits varied by county. Marion County was at $8,000 and most other counties were at $6,000. The 2021 update raised it to a uniform $10,000 across the state.

If your claim is over $10,000, you file in Circuit Court, Superior Court, or County Court. Those courts are more formal and you'll likely need a lawyer.

Before You File: Check the Deadline

Indiana has different time limits for different claims. Miss the deadline and the court will throw your case out.

The clock starts on the date the problem happened. Don't wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget.

Indiana Small Claims Filing Fee

Filing fees in Indiana vary by township and county. Most courts charge between $35 and $70 to file a small claims case.

Call the clerk before you go. Confirm fees. Most courts take cash, check, or card.

Can't afford it? Ask the clerk about a fee waiver.

Win? Ask the court to make the defendant pay your costs.

How to File Small Claims in Indiana: Step by Step

Step 1: Find the Right Court

In Indiana, you file in the township where:

File in the wrong township and the case can be dismissed. Find your court at in.gov/courts.

In Marion County, use their Small Claims Court. Find your location at indy.gov/activity/find-small-claims-courts.

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

Get your documents ready first:

Make three copies of everything. One for the court, one for the defendant, one for you. An organized case wins.

Step 3: Fill Out the Claim Form

Get the plaintiff's claim form from the clerk's office. The form is simple. Fill in your name and address. Add the defendant's name and address. Describe what happened and how much you're owed.

Be specific. Write the exact amount. Give a short, clear reason why the defendant owes you money.

Indiana has a Small Claims Manual at in.gov/courts/publications/small-claims-manual. Read it before you file.

Step 4: File at the Courthouse

Take your completed form and payment to the court clerk. The clerk will stamp your paperwork, assign a case number, and schedule a hearing date.

Hearings are usually set 30 to 60 days out. You'll get a notice with the date and time.

Step 5: Serve the Defendant

The defendant must get official notice. Indiana courts usually serve by certified mail. Some allow a sheriff or process server.

Serve the defendant at least 10 days before the hearing. Check your township for local rules.

Keep your proof of service. Bring it to the hearing.

Step 6: Prepare for the Hearing

Show up early. Bring everything. Have your documents in order.

Indiana small claims hearings are informal. The judge hears your side first, then the defendant. They ask questions. Keep your story short. Stick to facts. Be specific about dollar amounts.

Bring witnesses if you have them. Won't come on their own? Ask the clerk for a subpoena.

The judge usually rules at the hearing. Or within a few days.

Step 7: Get the Judgment

If you win, you get a judgment. That's the court's official order saying the defendant owes you money. But winning is just step one. Collecting is step two.

After You Win: Collecting in Indiana

Most defendants pay after a judgment. Some don't. Indiana gives you tools to force payment.

Wage Garnishment

File for wage garnishment. The employer withholds part of each paycheck and sends it to you. Indiana caps it at 25% of disposable earnings. It's one of the best collection tools.

Bank Account Levy

You can also levy the defendant's bank account. The court freezes the funds. The bank sends the money to you. You need to know which bank they use.

Property Lien

File your judgment as a lien on the defendant's real estate. When they sell or refinance, your lien gets paid first.

Supplemental Proceedings

Can't find the defendant's assets? Ask the court for a supplemental hearing. The defendant must appear and answer questions about income and bank accounts under oath. That helps you find where to collect.

Indiana judgments last 10 years. They can be renewed for 10 more.

Marion County Small Claims Court (Indianapolis)

Marion County is Indiana's largest county. It has its own small claims system. It's separate from the township courts used elsewhere.

Marion County has several locations around Indianapolis. File near where the defendant lives or works. The limit is $10,000.

Marion County has online filing through their eFiling portal. Check indy.gov/activity/how-to-file-a-small-claims-case for forms and steps.

Marion County also has night court. Hearings in the evenings mean you don't have to miss work. Not every township has this.

Common Small Claims Cases in Indiana

Security Deposit Disputes

Indiana landlords must return your security deposit within 45 days after the lease ends. They must send an itemized list of any deductions. Miss the 45-day deadline and the landlord may owe you double the deposit amount.

Small claims is the right venue for most security deposit disputes. Bring your lease, move-in/move-out checklist, and any photos of the property.

Related guide: How to Get Your Security Deposit Back.

Contractor Disputes

Hired a contractor who didn't finish the job or did bad work? Indiana small claims handles it. Bring your contract, photos, and proof of payment.

Read more: Contractor Took Your Money and Didn't Finish the Job?

Unpaid Wages

Indiana law requires employers to pay wages on time. If they don't, you can sue. Small claims handles this for amounts under $10,000.

Read more: Your Employer Owes You Money. Here's How to Get It Without a Lawyer.

Unpaid Loans

Lent money to a friend or family member who won't pay you back? Indiana small claims handles this. A text saying "I'll pay you back" or a Venmo note that says "loan" can count as evidence.

Bad Checks

Someone gave you a check that bounced? You can sue for the face amount of the check plus damages. In some cases, Indiana law lets you recover up to three times the check amount.

Tips for Winning Indiana Small Claims

Know your township. Indiana's township system confuses people. File in the wrong place and your case gets delayed or dismissed. Check the map before you go.

Be specific about money. Don't say "I'm owed about $2,000." Say "I'm owed $2,147.50. Here's the invoice. Here's the bank statement showing I paid it. Here's the contractor's estimate for the repair."

Bring three copies of everything. One for the judge, one for the defendant, one for you. Courts lose things. So do defendants.

Dress for it. You don't need a suit. Clean and neat sends the message that you take this seriously.

Know your opening. Practice a 2-minute version: what happened, when, how much you're owed, who is responsible. Two minutes. That's it.

Stay calm. Judges hear emotional stories all day. The person who stays calm and sticks to facts usually wins.

Try a Demand Letter First

Filing takes time. Find the right court, fill out forms, pay fees, wait weeks, miss work. Before all that, try a demand letter.

A demand letter says: pay by this date or I'm filing a case. It creates a paper trail. It shows the court you tried first. And it works.

At PettyLawsuit, 70% of disputes settle after a demand letter. No court needed. People get a certified letter with a 10-day deadline and they pay. A formal notice works in ways texts never do.

Learn more: Do Demand Letters Work? 70% of Disputes Settle Without Court. Or start here: Free Demand Letter Template: How to Write One That Works.

FAQ: Indiana Small Claims Court

How much does it cost to file small claims in Indiana?

Most Indiana townships charge $35 to $50 to file. Marion County (Indianapolis) fees range from $35 to $70 depending on claim amount. Service fees are separate, usually $10 to $30. Call your township's clerk to confirm exact fees before you go.

What is the small claims limit in Indiana?

$10,000 statewide. This applies to all 92 Indiana counties. The limit was raised from $6,000 (most counties) and $8,000 (Marion County) to $10,000 in 2021. Claims over $10,000 go to Circuit Court, Superior Court, or County Court.

Where do I file small claims in Indiana?

In the township where the defendant lives, has a business, or where the dispute happened. Indiana has a township-based small claims system. Marion County (Indianapolis) is an exception with its own court system. Find your courthouse at in.gov/courts.

How long does small claims court take in Indiana?

From filing to hearing is usually 30 to 60 days. Hearings run 15 to 30 minutes. The judge may rule the same day or within a few days. If the defendant appeals, add a few months. Marion County can be faster thanks to online filing and night court options.

Do I need a lawyer for Indiana small claims court?

No. Small claims court in Indiana was designed for non-lawyers. You can bring an attorney if you want, but most people don't. The judge expects both sides to represent themselves and explains the process.

What is the statute of limitations for small claims in Indiana?

Written contracts: 10 years. Oral contracts: 6 years. Personal injury: 2 years. Property damage: 2 years. The clock starts on the date of the incident. Don't wait even if you have time.

Can I sue a business in Indiana small claims court?

Yes. You can sue persons, companies, landlords, and contractors. For an LLC or corporation, file in the township where the business has its main office. Serve the registered agent. Look up Indiana registered agents on the Secretary of State website at in.gov/sos.

What happens if the defendant doesn't show up in Indiana small claims court?

If the defendant was properly served and doesn't appear, the judge can enter a default judgment in your favor. You still need to show basic evidence of your claim. Then you can start collection using wage garnishment or bank levies.

Ready to Take Action?

Indiana's small claims system is easy to use. The $10,000 limit is generous. Township courts are local. No lawyer needed.

Court still takes time. Try a demand letter first. It's faster and costs less. PettyLawsuit has helped 2,500+ people get paid. 70% settled without court.

Owed money from a contractor, landlord, or employer? See how PettyLawsuit can help.