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Kentucky Small Claims Court (2026): Limit, Fees and How to File

How small claims court works in Kentucky: the dollar limit, filing fees, serving the other side, the hearing, appeals and collecting your money — each answer linked to the court rule or statute.

Quick answers for Kentucky

Small claims limit
$2,500, exclusive of interest and costs, for money, damages or the value of personal property. The division can also hear suits to cancel (disaffirm, avoid or rescind) a contract for goods or services of $2,500 or less. Libel, slander, alienation of affections, malicious prosecution and abuse of process cases are excluded. KRS 24A.230
Filing fee
A filing fee is charged when the complaint (form AOC-175) is filed, in person or by eFiling; ask the circuit court clerk for the current amount. There is no fee for a counterclaim of $2,500 or less. A Waiver of Costs and Fees guided interview is offered for people who cannot afford the fee. Small Claims Handbook (P-6); KCOJ Self-Help Portal
Are lawyers allowed?
Yes. Parties may represent themselves or hire an attorney. Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Small Claims Division'
Appeals
Either party may appeal to Circuit Court by filing a Notice of Appeal with the circuit court clerk within 10 days after the judgment is stamped 'Entered,' with a filing fee. The appellant must file a Statement of Appeal within 30 days of the notice. The appeal is on the record only: no new evidence, and the judge reviews the file and the recording to decide whether the law was applied correctly. KRS 24A.340; Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Appealing a Small Claims Case'

Court: Small Claims Division of District Court. Last verified: 2026-10-24.

How to file a small claims case in Kentucky

  1. Try to settle the dispute first; if you settle, put the terms in writing and have everyone sign.
  2. Confirm your claim is $2,500 or less (not counting interest and costs) and that you are not barred from small claims, such as a collection agency or a holder of an assigned claim.
  3. Fill out the Small Claims Complaint (AOC-175) with the defendant's correct address and a short explanation of the dispute; the free Self-Help Portal guided interview can help.
  4. File the complaint with the circuit court clerk in the proper county, or through eFiling, and pay the filing fee.
  5. Choose service by certified mail or by the sheriff, pay the service cost, and check with the clerk that the defendant was served.
  6. Go to the hearing on the date in the summons with your documents, photos and witnesses; the judge decides the case without a jury.
  7. If the judgment is not paid, use post-judgment interrogatories, garnishment, execution or a judgment lien to collect.
  8. Either side may appeal on the record to Circuit Court within 10 days after the judgment is entered.

Can you use small claims court?

Small claims limit$2,500, exclusive of interest and costs, for money, damages or the value of personal property. The division can also hear suits to cancel (disaffirm, avoid or rescind) a contract for goods or services of $2,500 or less. Libel, slander, alienation of affections, malicious prosecution and abuse of process cases are excluded.
The division cannot issue prejudgment attachment, garnishment or replevin (KRS 24A.230(3)).
Source: KRS 24A.230
Who can fileAny person, business or corporation may file. Money lenders charging interest, collection agencies or collection agents, holders of assigned claims, and class actions may not use small claims. An individual may file no more than 25 claims per calendar year; a business may file no more than 25 claims per established location in the district that has been in business at least six months. Corporations or partnerships must appear through an officer, a regularly employed manager, or an attorney.
The 25-claim limits do not apply to cases filed by city, county or urban governments.
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice / Office of Attorney General, Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Who Can File a Small Claims Suit'
Are lawyers allowed?Yes. Parties may represent themselves or hire an attorney.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Small Claims Division'

Filing your case

Where to fileGenerally in the county where the defendant lives or does business; for a corporation, the county of its office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides. A contract claim against a corporation may also be filed in the county where the contract was made or was to be performed.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Where to File a Complaint'
Official formsA Kentucky small claims case begins with the Small Claims Complaint form (AOC-175), filed in the Small Claims Division of District Court in the county where the defendant lives or does business; the Small Claims Summons is AOC-180. The Small Claims Division handles disputes involving money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, not counting interest and costs. Forms are on the Court of Justice Legal Forms page and in printed form from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, which cannot fill out the complaint for you.
Forms: https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx
Source: Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts and Office of Attorney General, A Citizen's Guide to Handling Small Claims Complaints in Kentucky
Filing feeA filing fee is charged when the complaint (form AOC-175) is filed, in person or by eFiling; ask the circuit court clerk for the current amount. There is no fee for a counterclaim of $2,500 or less. A Waiver of Costs and Fees guided interview is offered for people who cannot afford the fee.
Fee-waiver interview listed on https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6); KCOJ Self-Help Portal
Filing onlineYes. The complaint, counterclaim, settlement agreement and notice of appeal can be filed through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system (help at ehelp.kycourts.net) or in person with the circuit court clerk.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6)
Serving the defendantThe circuit court clerk issues the summons. The plaintiff chooses certified mail, return receipt requested (postage paid in advance to the clerk), or personal service by the sheriff (fee paid directly to the sheriff). The defendant receives the summons, complaint and the Small Claims Handbook. The case will not be heard until the defendant is served, and the plaintiff must check with the clerk on service.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'How to File a Small Claims Suit'

Before and at the hearing

When the hearing happensThe date, time and place of the hearing are listed on the Small Claims Summons (AOC-180).
The handbook does not state a fixed number of days between filing and hearing.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6)
Does the defendant file an answer?No written answer is required; the defendant must appear at the hearing on the date in the summons or risk a default judgment for the full amount claimed plus court costs. The defendant may file a settlement agreement (AOC-199), a counterclaim, or a jury demand.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'When You Are the Defendant'
CounterclaimsA counterclaim of up to $2,500 (exclusive of interest and costs) arising from the same transaction may be filed with the clerk and delivered to the plaintiff at least 5 days before the hearing (form AOC-185). A counterclaim over $2,500 requires a filing fee and moves the case to the Civil Division of District Court.
Source: KRS 24A.290; Small Claims Handbook (P-6)
MediationNo court-ordered mediation is described for small claims. Parties may settle at any time using a Small Claims Settlement Agreement (AOC-199). The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division can mediate consumer disputes with Kentucky businesses before suit.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6)
Jury trialNo jury in the Small Claims Division. If the claim is over $250, the defendant may request a jury trial at least 7 days before the hearing; the case is then transferred to the Civil Division of District Court for an additional fee.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Request a Jury Trial'
InterpretersPeople with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing have a right to a court-appointed interpreter or other accommodation at no cost. Contact the court where the hearing will take place.
Source: Kentucky Court of Justice, Office of Language Access

After the decision

AppealsEither party may appeal to Circuit Court by filing a Notice of Appeal with the circuit court clerk within 10 days after the judgment is stamped 'Entered,' with a filing fee. The appellant must file a Statement of Appeal within 30 days of the notice. The appeal is on the record only: no new evidence, and the judge reviews the file and the recording to decide whether the law was applied correctly.
Source: KRS 24A.340; Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Appealing a Small Claims Case'
Collecting your judgmentIf the judgment is not paid, the winner may send post-judgment interrogatories (AOC-197, answers due in 30 days), then use wage or non-wage garnishment (AOC-150 / AOC-145), execution (seizure and sale) of property, or a judgment lien. Unless the judgment says otherwise, garnishment may issue 10 days after the judgment is entered; the garnishee has 20 days to answer.
Source: Small Claims Handbook (P-6), 'Collections When You are the Winning Party'

Deadline to sue

10 years for an action on a written contract (such as a written lease) signed after July 15, 2014 (KRS 413.160). 15 years for written contracts signed on or before that date (KRS 413.090(2)). 5 years for a contract not in writing, such as an oral lease, and for profits of or damages for withholding real property (KRS 413.120(1), (5)). KRS 413.160; KRS 413.090(2); KRS 413.120

Official forms and help

Suing a landlord or tenant in Kentucky

Landlords and tenants may use small claims for unpaid rent, property damage or a security deposit when the amount is $2,500 or less; for more, the case belongs in the regular civil division of District Court (up to $5,000) or Circuit Court. The small claims division hears claims for money or personal property (KRS 24A.230), not possession of real property.

Kentucky small claims FAQ

What is the small claims limit in Kentucky?
$2,500, exclusive of interest and costs, for money, damages or the value of personal property. The division can also hear suits to cancel (disaffirm, avoid or rescind) a contract for goods or services of $2,500 or less. Libel, slander, alienation of affections, malicious prosecution and abuse of process cases are excluded.
Who can file a small claims case in Kentucky?
Any person, business or corporation may file. Money lenders charging interest, collection agencies or collection agents, holders of assigned claims, and class actions may not use small claims. An individual may file no more than 25 claims per calendar year; a business may file no more than 25 claims per established location in the district that has been in business at least six months. Corporations or partnerships must appear through an officer, a regularly employed manager, or an attorney.
Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Kentucky?
Yes. Parties may represent themselves or hire an attorney.
Where do I file a small claims case in Kentucky?
Generally in the county where the defendant lives or does business; for a corporation, the county of its office or place of business or where its officer or process agent resides. A contract claim against a corporation may also be filed in the county where the contract was made or was to be performed.
How much does it cost to file in small claims court in Kentucky?
A filing fee is charged when the complaint (form AOC-175) is filed, in person or by eFiling; ask the circuit court clerk for the current amount. There is no fee for a counterclaim of $2,500 or less. A Waiver of Costs and Fees guided interview is offered for people who cannot afford the fee.
How do I serve the other side in a Kentucky small claims case?
The circuit court clerk issues the summons. The plaintiff chooses certified mail, return receipt requested (postage paid in advance to the clerk), or personal service by the sheriff (fee paid directly to the sheriff). The defendant receives the summons, complaint and the Small Claims Handbook. The case will not be heard until the defendant is served, and the plaintiff must check with the clerk on service.
How long does a small claims case take in Kentucky?
The date, time and place of the hearing are listed on the Small Claims Summons (AOC-180).
Does a defendant have to file an answer in Kentucky small claims court?
No written answer is required; the defendant must appear at the hearing on the date in the summons or risk a default judgment for the full amount claimed plus court costs. The defendant may file a settlement agreement (AOC-199), a counterclaim, or a jury demand.
Can the defendant file a counterclaim in Kentucky small claims court?
A counterclaim of up to $2,500 (exclusive of interest and costs) arising from the same transaction may be filed with the clerk and delivered to the plaintiff at least 5 days before the hearing (form AOC-185). A counterclaim over $2,500 requires a filing fee and moves the case to the Civil Division of District Court.
Is there a jury in Kentucky small claims court?
No jury in the Small Claims Division. If the claim is over $250, the defendant may request a jury trial at least 7 days before the hearing; the case is then transferred to the Civil Division of District Court for an additional fee.
Can you appeal a small claims decision in Kentucky?
Either party may appeal to Circuit Court by filing a Notice of Appeal with the circuit court clerk within 10 days after the judgment is stamped 'Entered,' with a filing fee. The appellant must file a Statement of Appeal within 30 days of the notice. The appeal is on the record only: no new evidence, and the judge reviews the file and the recording to decide whether the law was applied correctly.
How do I collect a small claims judgment in Kentucky?
If the judgment is not paid, the winner may send post-judgment interrogatories (AOC-197, answers due in 30 days), then use wage or non-wage garnishment (AOC-150 / AOC-145), execution (seizure and sale) of property, or a judgment lien. Unless the judgment says otherwise, garnishment may issue 10 days after the judgment is entered; the garnishee has 20 days to answer.
Is mediation required in Kentucky small claims court?
No court-ordered mediation is described for small claims. Parties may settle at any time using a Small Claims Settlement Agreement (AOC-199). The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division can mediate consumer disputes with Kentucky businesses before suit.
Can I file a small claims case online in Kentucky?
Yes. The complaint, counterclaim, settlement agreement and notice of appeal can be filed through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system (help at ehelp.kycourts.net) or in person with the circuit court clerk.
Can I get an interpreter in Kentucky small claims court?
People with limited English proficiency or who are deaf or hard of hearing have a right to a court-appointed interpreter or other accommodation at no cost. Contact the court where the hearing will take place.
Where can I get small claims court forms in Kentucky?
A Kentucky small claims case begins with the Small Claims Complaint form (AOC-175), filed in the Small Claims Division of District Court in the county where the defendant lives or does business; the Small Claims Summons is AOC-180. The Small Claims Division handles disputes involving money or personal property valued at $2,500 or less, not counting interest and costs. Forms are on the Court of Justice Legal Forms page and in printed form from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, which cannot fill out the complaint for you.

Small claims limits in all 50 states and DC · Small claims court in other states

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.