Small Claims

The fee is $79.00 for first defendant then $10.00 extra for each defendant after that. There will also be a $13.00 fee collected for sheriff services .- Do not include this in any monetary amount that you are asking for.

The limit to file for an individual is $6,000.00. For a corporation without an attorney the limit is $1,500.00.

If a corporation is filing in small claims and someone other than the President of the company will be speaking on behalf of the company, an affidavit must be on file for that person.

"Fill in the blank" paperwork is available at the County Clerk's Office. If you are not an attorney, the paperwork must be signed in our presence; the only exception is that the paperwork is notarized.

The claim may be filed in this county if it is where the Defendant lives or where the transaction took place.

Copies made here are $1.00 per page. For example, to serve a defendant a statement of Claim by Sheriff is a $6.00 copy fee and to serve a defendant by certified mail is a $2.00 copy fee (per defendant).

We need an original and three copies to serve by Sheriff and an original and one copy to serve by certified mail (per defendant). If you would like a copy for yourself, make an additional copy.

You will need one copy of exhibits to attach to the original Statement of Claim. These are necessary to use to support your claim. You will not get these returned to you, which is why we suggest attaching copies, not originals.

You must have an address and a telephone number to serve a defendant. We also request a social security number and date of birth when the information is available.

You cannot serve a defendant at his/her place of employment if you do not have a judgement against that defendant.

We at the County Clerk's Office cannot answer any legal type of questions. We can assist you with the completion of the paperwork, but any legal questions will have to be directed to an attorney. If you do not have an attorney, we will refer you to the Bar Association at (812) 426-1712.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS