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Small Claims Guide

Small claims in Connecticut.

Standard $5,000 cap with exceptions for home improvement and security deposit claims.

$5,000Most you can sue for
$95–$150Filing fee
30–90 daysTypical timeline
See what you can sue forCalculate my filing fee
  • Most you can sue for$5,000Exceptions: $15,000 for home improvement contracts; no cap for security deposit returns.
  • Filing fee$95–$150Varies by claim amount.
  • CourtSuperior Court (Small Claims Session)
  • Lawyers at trialAllowedPermitted but not required.
  • Appeal window15 daysTrial de novo in Superior Court.
  • Recent change—No major changes in the last 3 years.
What you can sue for

Find your situation.

Connecticut small claims handles money disputes up to $5,000 (or $5,000 if you're a business). Browse 7 categories and 39 specific claim types below.

Connecticut allows you to file claims for breaches of contract and money owed up to $5,000, with a 6-year statute of limitations for written contracts.

Wrong court for these10 situations small claims can’t handle

  • Eviction (unlawful detainer)

    Small claims court does not handle eviction cases; these must be filed in Housing Court.

    Try instead: Housing Court

  • Title to real estate

    Disputes involving ownership of real estate are beyond the jurisdiction of small claims court.

    Try instead: Superior Court

  • Defamation

    Claims of libel and slander are excluded from small claims court.

    Try instead: Superior Court

  • Malpractice

    Professional malpractice claims exceed the jurisdictional limits of small claims court.

    Try instead: Superior Court

  • Family law matters

    Divorce, child custody, and other family law issues are not handled in small claims court.

    Try instead: Family Court

  • Probate matters

    Issues related to wills and estates are outside the jurisdiction of small claims court.

    Try instead: Probate Court

  • Claims against the federal government

    Small claims court cannot hear cases against federal entities.

    Try instead: Federal Court

  • Class actions

    Class action lawsuits are not permitted in small claims court.

    Try instead: Superior Court

  • Injunctions or specific performance

    Small claims court cannot issue orders requiring someone to do or stop doing something.

    Try instead: Superior Court

  • Workers' compensation claims

    These claims are handled by the Workers' Compensation Commission, not small claims court.

    Try instead: Workers' Compensation Commission

The process

From owed to paid in 6 steps.

1

Send a demand letter

Not required, but always do it. While not required, sending a demand letter can often resolve disputes without court intervention.

2

Check your deadline

Every claim has a deadline by which you have to sue (the legal name is the “statute of limitations”). Miss it by a day and your case is dead.

Did you miss your deadline?

Pick the type of dispute and tell us when it happened. We'll tell you when the Connecticut deadline runs out.

The discovery rule applies to fraud claims, starting the clock when the fraud is discovered.

3

File your case

File at the Small Claims Session of the Superior Court. Most cases go in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened.

How much will it cost to file?

Enter what you're owed. We'll calculate the Connecticut filing fee and tell you if you're under the cap.

If you win, filing fees and reasonable service costs are added to the judgment.

E-filing in Connecticut: Mandatory for attorneys; optional for self-represented parties.

4

Serve the defendant

The defendant has to receive official notice of the lawsuit (lawyers call this being “served”) at least 12 days before the hearing (in the same county) or 12 days (out of county). You can’t hand them the papers yourself.

Allowed methods

  • Certified mail, return receipt requested. Plaintiff sends the writ to the defendant via certified mail and receives a return receipt as proof of delivery.
  • State marshal service. A state marshal personally delivers the writ to the defendant.

File the proof of service (JD-CV-123) at least 6 days before the hearing.

What if you can’t find the defendant?

If the defendant cannot be located, service by publication may be permitted with court approval.

If the defendant is evading service, the court may allow alternative methods upon request.

5

Show up to the hearing

Bench trial with informal procedures; each party presents their case to a magistrate or judge.

Lawyers at trial: Allowed. Parties may be represented by attorneys, but it is not required.

When you’ll get the decision: On the spot or mailed within a few weeks.

Free mediation on hearing day. Mediation services may be available at the court to help parties reach a settlement before the hearing.

What to bring

  • Originals of any contracts
  • Receipts and bank records
  • Photos and videos
  • Names and contact info for witnesses
If the defendant doesn’t show up

If the defendant fails to respond by the answer date, the plaintiff may request a default judgment.

You still have to prove your case. Even if the defendant defaults, the plaintiff must provide evidence to support the claim before a judgment is entered.

If you’re the defendant being sued

The defendant must file an answer or a motion to transfer the case to another court on or before the 'answer date' specified in the writ.

Counter-suing the plaintiff: Allowed using JD-CV-50 (Small Claims Answer). Serve the plaintiff at least 15 days before trial (same county) or 15 days (out of county).

Counterclaim bigger than the cap? If a counterclaim exceeds the small claims monetary limit, the case may be transferred to the regular docket of the Superior Court. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15

6

If you win, collect

This is where most people stop and lose. The court doesn’t collect for you. The loser has 30 days to pay. Judgments accrue 10% interest per year while unpaid.

  • Wage garnishment

    Have a portion of debtor's wages withheld until the judgment is paid.

    How it works

    File an application for wage execution with the court; upon approval, serve the employer with the execution order; the employer withholds a portion of the debtor's wages and remits to the court.

    Cost: $50 plus service fees

    Notes: Most effective when debtor is employed and earning above the exemption threshold.

    What’s protected:

    • 75% of disposable earnings or 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is greater.

  • Bank levy

    Seize funds from debtor's bank account to satisfy the judgment.

    How it works

    File an application for bank execution with the court; upon approval, serve the bank with the execution order; the bank freezes the debtor's account and remits funds to the court.

    Cost: $50 plus service fees

    Notes: Effective if debtor has sufficient funds in the account; debtor may claim exemptions.

    What’s protected:

    • $1,000 is exempt from execution; additional exemptions may apply for certain benefits.

  • Property lien

    Place a lien on debtor's real property to secure the judgment.

    How it works

    File a judgment lien certificate with the town clerk where the property is located; the lien encumbers the property until the judgment is satisfied.

    Cost: $75 plus recording fees

    Notes: Effective if debtor owns real property; lien must be renewed every 20 years.

    What’s protected:

    • Homestead exemption up to $75,000.

  • Writ of execution

    Seize and sell debtor's personal property to satisfy the judgment.

    How it works

    File an application for execution with the court; upon approval, a state marshal seizes the debtor's non-exempt personal property and sells it at public auction.

    Cost: $75 plus marshal fees

    Notes: Effective if debtor owns valuable non-exempt personal property; process can be time-consuming.

    What’s protected:

    • Various personal property exemptions apply; consult statute for details.
Multiple creditors? Priority rules.

Priority among judgment creditors is generally determined by the order in which liens are recorded.

Appeals

Can you appeal if you lose?

defendant

  • Deadline: 15 days from the judgment notice.
  • Filing fee: $250.
  • Form: JD-SC-28 — Notice of Appeal.
  • Type: Trial de novo — the case is heard fresh in the higher court.

The appeal is a new trial in the Superior Court, where the case is heard afresh.

Filing the appeal automatically pauses any collection efforts until the appeal is resolved.

Don’t make these mistakes

Why cases get dismissed.

  • Incorrect defendant information

    What goes wrong: Suing the wrong entity or misspelling the defendant's name can result in dismissal or unenforceable judgments.

    How to avoid it: Verify the exact legal name and status of the defendant, especially for businesses, through the Secretary of State's records.

  • Exceeding monetary limits

    What goes wrong: Filing a claim exceeding the small claims limit may lead to dismissal or transfer to a higher court.

    How to avoid it: Ensure your claim amount, excluding interest and costs, does not exceed $5,000, or $15,000 for home improvement contracts.

  • Improper service of process

    What goes wrong: Failure to serve the defendant correctly can delay proceedings or result in dismissal.

    How to avoid it: Follow the prescribed methods for service, such as certified mail or state marshal service, and file proof with the court.

  • Missing statute of limitations

    What goes wrong: Filing after the statute of limitations has expired will result in dismissal of your case.

    How to avoid it: Determine the applicable statute of limitations for your claim type and file within that period.

  • Inadequate evidence

    What goes wrong: Lack of sufficient evidence can lead to losing your case.

    How to avoid it: Gather all relevant documents, receipts, contracts, and witness information to support your claim.

  • Ignoring counterclaims

    What goes wrong: Failing to respond to a defendant's counterclaim can result in a judgment against you.

    How to avoid it: Review any counterclaims carefully and file a timely response to address them.

FAQ

Common questions.

Do I need a lawyer?
No, you are not required to have a lawyer in small claims court. The process is designed to be accessible for individuals representing themselves.
How long does it take?
Most small claims cases are resolved within 30 to 90 days, depending on the court's schedule and complexity of the case.
What's the maximum I can sue for?
The maximum amount you can sue for in small claims court is $5,000, except for home improvement contracts, which have a limit of $15,000.
What happens if the defendant doesn't show up?
If the defendant fails to appear or respond, you may request a default judgment. However, you must still provide evidence to support your claim.
Can I appeal?
Only the defendant has the right to appeal a small claims judgment, and must do so within 15 days by filing a notice of appeal and posting a bond.
How long is a judgment good for?
A small claims judgment is valid for 20 years, during which time you can take steps to collect the judgment.
Sources22 citations and statutes

This is not legal advice. CivilCase is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify against the cited authority before filing. Last researched and updated: April 28, 2026.