Tennessee Small Claims

In Tennessee's General Sessions Court, you can sue for up to $25,000. The statute of limitations varies by claim but is generally one to six years. Filing fees are about $168. It takes a few minutes to submit a claim once your info is ready. To start, complete the form at your local General Sessions Court and pay the fee.

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

What are small claims in Tennessee?

What is a small claim court in Tennessee?

What are the Types of Small Claims in Tennessee?

What are the charges for small claims court in Tennessee?

What is a Small Claims Court Procedure in Tennessee?

What Happens in Small Claims Court in Tennessee?

Tennessee Small Claims

What are Small Claims in Tennessee

Small claims in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee without paying an attorney's fee. You do not need to hire a lawyer to file small claims

Tennessee Small Claims Quick Facts:

Filing Fee & Cost

 In the Tennessee Small Claims Court, the filing fee is generally ranging from $120 to $250. Process serving fee is around $42. You may have to pay some additional cost for preparing the case. So overall it usually costs $162 to $292 for submission of a small claims complaint.

Statutes of Limitation

 The statute of limitations, as it applies in Tennessee, is a time limit for starting a lawsuit, and state and case types have different criteria. Never put off submitting your lawsuit.
Breach of Contract 6 years
Debt Collection 6 years
Property Damage 3 years
Personal Injury 1 years
Fraud or Misrepresentation 3 years
Small Claims Limit Small claims limit is usually up to $ 25,000.

Common Types of Small Claims Cases in Tennessee

 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

Tennessee 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 ranging from $120 to $250. 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 $25,000 $120 to $ 250

Service Fee:

Service fee that is required to serve the court papers to the defendant. It typically ranges from $42

Additional Costs:

Types Fee
Motion Fees $ 20–$ 50
Witness Subpoena Fees $ 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 Tennessee?

You can sue for many types of small claims in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

As the small claims court of Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

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.