Small Claims Court in Macomb County

In Macomb County, MI small claims cases are filed in the District Court. Macomb County has one District Court that handles small claims, serving different jurisdictions.

Squabble is here to assist you in navigating the small claims court system and filing a claim with ease. We recognize that not everyone is a legal expert, and our goal is to simplify the process for you. This guide will answer your questions about filing claims in the Macomb Court System.

Small Claims Court

Small claims court is meant for everyday people who want to resolve legal disputes without hiring a lawyer. In fact, lawyers aren't even allowed in these cases. Whether you’re dealing with a money issue, a broken agreement, or even damage to your property, this court is a straightforward way to get help.

You can sue a person or business for up to $7,000, and in some cases, you can ask the judge to make someone start or stop doing something—like turning your utilities back on or preventing further property damage. This is called injunctive relief.

You Don’t Need to Be a Legal Expert

One of the best things about small claims court is that you don’t need to know the law. The judge knows the rules, your job is simply to tell your story honestly and clearly. Bring any evidence you have (receipts, photos, messages), and you can also bring witnesses if needed.

After both sides speak and present their evidence, the judge will make a final decision. That decision is binding and cannot be appealed.

Who Can File Here?

You can file a case in this court only if:

• The incident (cause of action) happened in one of these areas, or
• The defendant (person/business you're suing) lives in:
  • Chesterfield Township
  • Lenox Township
  • New Baltimore
  • New Haven

Cases Are Allowed

Small claims court handles many different types of disputes, such as:

• Landlord/tenant disagreements
• Personal injury
• Stolen or damaged property
• Unpaid debts
• Poor workmanship or bad repairs
• Defective products
• Broken contracts or unkept promises

Both individuals and businesses can file or be sued.

How to Start Your Case

1. Fill out an “Affidavit and Claim” form
   • This is your official complaint.
   • You can get the form from the court clerk or download it online.
2. Include all supporting documents
   • Attach copies of receipts, contracts, bills, photos—anything that helps prove your case.
3. Serve the defendant
   • You're responsible for making sure the person or business you're suing receives a copy of the claim and documents.
   • This is called “service of process.”
   • It can be done by certified mail or in person through a process server.

Where Do I File My Case?

You need to file in the district court located in the county where the other person lives or where the problem happened. Filing in the wrong place can get your case dismissed.

To begin, fill out an “Affidavit and Claim” form. You can:

• Download it from the Michigan courts website: www.courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms
• Pick one up from the court clerk at your local district court. Let the clerk know you're starting a small claims case—they’ll help guide you.

After You File

Filing by Mail

• Call the court first to ask for instructions. You’ll need to get your form notarized and pay filing and service fees.

Pay the Filing Fee

• You’ll pay the court clerk a filing fee, and the court will schedule your case and notify the other person (the “defendant”).

How they’ll be notified:

• Certified or registered mail, or
• Personal service, where a process server delivers the paperwork directly.

Important: The defendant must get the paperwork by a certain deadline (check with the court). If they don’t, ask the clerk to renew your claim before time runs out.

What to Bring

Make copies of everything:

• Repair bills
• Contracts or leases
• Emails or messages
• Receipts
• Any written agreements

Keep your original documents for the judge to review. The clerk will attach everything together and set your hearing date, usually within 30 to 45 days.

Filing Fees

• $30 for claims up to $600
• $50 for claims between $600 up to $1,750
• $70 for claims over $1,750 up to $7,000

You'll also pay a service fee based on how the other person is notified. Certified mail is the most common and affordable.

If you’re on public assistance or experiencing financial hardship, you can request a waiver of fees. Ask the clerk for the "Affidavit and Order Suspension/Waiver of Fees/Costs" form and submit it when you file your case.

What If the Other Person Sues You Back?

• The defendant (person being sued) can file a counterclaim if they believe you owe them money. They’ll file the same form, but mark it as a “Counter-Claim” and include your case number.
• There’s no fee for them to file this, but they do need to send you a copy.
• At the hearing, the judge will consider both your claim and theirs, so be ready to respond.

How to Prepare for Court

Before your hearing, take time to get ready:

• Gather Evidence
  • Include photos
  • Receipts
  • Written agreements
  • Messages
  • Anything relevant to your case
• Prepare Witnesses
  • Friends
  • Family
  • Professionals
  • Anyone who saw or knows something important
• Make Sure They Show Up
  • If needed, you can ask the court clerk for a subpoena to make them attend. You'll need to pay a witness fee and travel costs.
• Practice What You’ll Say
  • Don’t memorize a script, but jot down key points so you stay focused. Practice with a friend if it helps.

If You Can't Attend Court

Plaintiff (You):

• If you miss your hearing, your case may be dismissed, and that could affect your credit. If something serious comes up (illness, emergency, or key witness unavailable), write a formal request for a continuance and send it to the court well in advance.

Defendant:

• If the defendant doesn’t show, you can ask for a default judgment, and the judge may rule in your favor without a full hearing.

Hearing

• Dress neatly (no shorts or tank tops), and arrive early.
• Sign in with the clerk and bring all your documents.
• Be polite, even if the other person isn’t.
• Stand when talking to the judge and call them “Your Honor.”
• Speak clearly and to the point. Don’t interrupt.
• Let the judge ask questions, they’ll guide the process.

The judge may ask if you want to settle (agree on a solution without a full trial). If not, each side will present their case, show evidence, and let witnesses speak.

At the end, the judge will make a decision. In most cases, that decision is final and can’t be appealed.

What If You Settle Before Court?

If the defendant pays you in full before the hearing, let the court know right away. You might need to sign a form or send a letter asking to dismiss the case.

If you both agree to a payment plan, you can still ask the court to issue a consent judgment to protect your right to collect.

Two ways to do this:

1. At the hearing – Let the judge know about your agreement, and both parties sign.

2. At the courthouse – Go together and ask the clerk to help you sign a consent judgment form.

If You Win: Collecting Your Judgment

If the judge rules in your favor, they’ll explain how to collect your money. The defendant may:

• Pay immediately, or
• Be given time to pay or a payment schedule

If they don’t pay, you can go back to court to enforce the judgment—this might mean garnishing wages, seizing property, or tapping a bank account.

You must wait 21 days after the judgment to do this. There are extra forms to fill out and additional fees, which will be added to what the defendant owes.

Courthouses Location:

42nd District Court

35071 23 Mile Rd.\ New Baltimore, MI 48047
(586) 725-9500
https://www.macombgov.org/departments/42-2-district-court-new-baltimore/small-claims

BUILDING HOURS

• Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except court holidays.

CITIES SERVED

• Warren
• Sterling Heights
• Clinton charter
• Macomb
• Shelby charter
• St. Clair Shores
• Roseville
• Chesterfield
• Eastpointe
• Washington charter
• Harrison charter
• Grosse Pointe Woods
• Mount Clemens
• Fraser
• Lenox
• New Baltimore
• Bruce
• Center Line
• New Haven
• Richmond
• Armada
• Utica
• Ray
• Romeo
• Richmond
• Fraser
• Village Grosse Pointe Shores
• Warren
• Richmond
• Armada
• Washington
• New Haven
• New Haven
• Richmond
• Washington

Let Squabble Help You With Your Small Claim at Macomb County

Don't allow the intricacies of the legal system to discourage you from pursuing justice and compensation for your claim. With Squabble, you have a dedicated partner to streamline the process and guide you toward resolution. Whether you're contemplating filing a claim at Macomb County small claims court, Squabble is here to support you at every stage. Reach out to us today to commence your journey toward justice and compensation. Get started today and become one of the 95% of our customers who won or settled their case.