Indiana Small Claims

In Indiana’s small claims court, you can sue for amounts up to $10,000. The statute of limitations varies from two to ten years depending on the claim type. The court fee typically ranges from $30 to $100. Submitting a claim usually takes a few minutes once you have the information prepared. To start filing a small claim, complete the forms at your local district court or online and pay the filing fee.

If you want to know how to file a small claim in Indiana or are curious how to bring someone in the small claims court in Indiana, you must know some facts about small claims like:

What are small claims in Indiana?

What is a small claim court in Indiana?

What are the Types of Small Claims in Indiana?

What are the charges for small claims court in Indiana?

What is a Small Claims Court Procedure in Indiana?

What Happens in Small Claims Court in Indiana?

Indiana Small Claims

What are Small Claims in Indiana

Small claims in Indiana are the minor disputes that involve a small amount of money. This is a legal process to recover small amounts very quickly, efficiently, and cheaply. A small claims lawsuit in the state of Indiana does not require a complex process. You, as an individual, can recover your claimed amount in an easy and fast way if your claim is not complex. Businesses can also recover their minor claimed amount. Small claims in Indiana have a limit that you must follow. The maximum amount for small claims court is different in every state. As the small claims process is straightforward, you can file the small claims in small claims courts by yourself or with the help of someone. You can sue someone in small claims court Indiana without paying an attorney's fee. You do not need to hire a lawyer to file small claims

Indiana Small Claims Quick Facts:

Filing Fee & Cost

 In the Indiana Small Claims Court, the filing fee for a small claims case is generally around $35. The process serving fee is around $10. You may have to pay some additional costs for preparing the case. So overall it usually costs $30 to $300 for submission of a small claims complaint.

Statutes of Limitation

 The statute of limitations is a time limit for starting a lawsuit. In Indiana, the time limit varies depending on the type of case. Never put off submitting your lawsuit.
Breach of Contract 6-10 years
Debt Collection 6 years
Property Damage 6 years
Personal Injury 2 years
Fraud or Misrepresentation 6 years
Small Claims Limit Small claims limit is usually up to $10,000.

Common Types of Small Claims Cases in Indiana

 Property Damage
Return of Security Deposit
Disputes with Mechanics over Poor Workmanship
Disputes with Airlines
Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Money Owed (personal loans, contracts, unpaid invoices)
Contracts (written and oral)
Minor Car Accidents (Property Damage, No Injury)
Disputes with Home Warranty Companies
Unpaid Invoices & Unjust Chargebacks
Disputes with Contractors over Remodeling or Home Repairs
Disputes with Car Dealerships and Private Car Sellers
HOA Disputes
Disputes with Insurance Companies
Disputes with Moving Companies
Disputes with Telemarketers and Robocallers
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Car Accident or Car Crash Lawsuit
Injury Lawsuit
Disputes with Towing Companies

Indiana Small Claims Court Fees:

Small claims courts are cost-effective and require very low court fees as compared to traditional court processes. Court fee includes the following fees:

Filing Fee:

Filing fee that is generally around $35. It depends on the court jurisdiction and amount of claim you are suing in the small claims courts.

Small claims Amount Filing Fee Range
Up to $10,000 $35

Service Fee:

Service fee that is required to serve the court papers to the defendant. It is around $10.

There is also an additional fee that is used to get the certified copies.
Small claims courts also offer fee waivers for deserving people. When the plaintiff files a waiver, proof of service is not required, and these rules apply as if a summons and complaint had been served at the time of filing the waiver.

What are the Types of Small Claims in Indiana?

You can sue for many types of small claims in Indiana that happen in our daily lives, as described below:

  • Unpaid debts such as outstanding bills and unpaid loans, etc.
  • Property damages, such as payment for repairs or replacement of the property that has been damaged.
  • Breach of contract, such as if a party fails to fulfill the terms of an agreement.
  • Security deposit disputes, such as a situation where property owners take the wrong action and do not pay the security deposit.
  • Personal injury, such as any minor injury, results in medical expenses and emotional distress.

Small claims courts are ideal courts to file small claims in an efficient and cost-effective way. On the other hand, traditional courts have complex procedures and are costly as well.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Small Claims in Indiana?

As the small claims court of Indiana offers a very streamlined process for filing small claims and offers self-representation, you are not required to hire a lawyer. Lawyers cannot represent you in court for filing small claims. You can take legal advice from a lawyer if you feel you need any type of legal help. Small claims courts allow you to file small claims cases by yourself, and to sue in Indiana small claims court, you do not need to hire an attorney for this purpose. This makes the process cost-effective.

 

What Happens in Small Claims Court in Indiana?

Small claims courts are very easy and provide a streamlined process of filing the small claims.

  • You, as a plaintiff, and the defendant, both parties, must present the case in front of a judge.
  • The judge may ask you some legal questions related to your case.
  • The judge will give the judgment at the court hearing.
  • You need to collect the approved claimed amount from the defendant.