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SMALL
CLAIMS
989/275-5312
While the staff of this
court will try to help either party to an action, you must understand that:
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Our clerks are not attorneys and they
cannot give legal advice.
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The judges may not and will not give
advice on matters they may have to rule on.
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In Small Claims, the Court can render
money judgments only and has no power to force anyone to do something or to
stop doing something.
By having your case tried in the Small Claims
Division, you give up the following rights:
- The right to have an attorney.
- The right to appeal to a higher court.
- The right to a jury trial.
- Any money amount over
$3,000.
- Before hearing either party may choose not to
give up these rights. He/she can demand before or at the time of hearing that
the case be transferred to the General Civil Division.
SMALL CLAIMS FILING
FEES
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Claims over $600 up to $1,750 |
$45 |
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Claims over $1,750 up to $3,000 |
$65 |
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Certified Mail Fee |
$ 9.62 - each individual
$ 5.32 - business
$ 5.49 - wage
garnishment |
BEFORE COMING TO THE COURT TO FILL OUT AN AFFIDAVIT OF
CLAIM, BE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
- The filing fee plus service fee for certified mail. When filing by
mail, send a check (Michigan banks only) or money order made payable to
the 83rd District Court. Mailing fees are subject to change due to postal
increases.
- Defendant's full and correct name.
- Defendant's current address (post office box is not enough if you
choose to have personal service). If you furnish an incorrect address
and the process server attempts service, he/she is allowed by law to charge
you $l0.00 for his/her time.
- Amount of claim and pertinent dates.
- A concise statement as to the nature of the claim. You may use a
second sheet if necessary. The RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS to prove two things to
the court: LIABILITY AND DAMAGES. LIABILITY - why the defendant is
obligated or responsible to pay the money you claim. DAMAGES - the exact
amount of money owed. Remember, it is your word against the defendant's. It is
not the Judge's fault if he/she has to rule against you because you were not
prepared to prove your case.
- Copies of all papers to support your claim such as bills of sale,
receipts, guarantees, accident reports, leases, promissory notes, repair
estimates, photos, etc.
When your claim is filed, a hearing date is set within
30-45 days. This generally allows enough time for the defendant to receive the
notice no later than the required seven days before the hearing date. This is
done in one of two ways.
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A copy is left with him/her personally by
a process server or any legally competent adult who is not a party to the
suit. If you are not familiar with the laws governing service, you may want to
have an experienced process server serve your papers. THE COURT ASSUMES
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICE. You or the individual serving the papers must
see that service is made according to law.
-OR-
- The notice is mailed by certified mail with a return receipt
requested. If certified mail is not picked up by the defendant you may want to
have a process server try to make service after a new hearing date is
scheduled. Unless the court has proof the defendant has received the notice,
it cannot proceed with the case.
IMPORTANT : Once your claim has been filed,
always have the case number with you when phoning or coming to the court.
TRIAL DATE.
On the date the trial is set, plan to arrive at the court
a few minutes early. YOU MUST BRING ALL PAPERWORK, WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE TO
PROVE YOUR CASE. NO ADJOURNMENT WILL BE GRANTED TO PERMIT YOU TO BRING THESE AT
A LATER DATE.
One of several things may occur on the scheduled date:
- The defendant may appear, refuse to submit to the Small Claims
Division, and request that the case be transferred to the General Civil
Division. This is his/her legal right. He/she must then file an answer in
writing within 14 days of the transfer and a new date will be set.
- The defendant may appear, admit liability for your claim and a
consent judgment will be entered.
- The defendant may fail to appear. If he/she has proper service and
you can prove to the Court you have a proper claim, a default judgment will be
entered.
- The Magistrate may sit down with the parties to try and resolve
some or all of the issues prior to the hearing with the Judge.
- The defendant may appear, disagree with the claim, agree to have
it heard in Small Claims Division and the trial will be held.
If service has been made and, 1) neither the plaintiff nor the
defendant appear, or 2) the defendant appears but the plaintiff does not, the
claim will be dismissed by the court.
When your case is called, all parties and all witnesses will be sworn
in. The hearing is an informal matter. Don't try to play attorney, just state
your claim as simply as possible. If necessary, refer to the papers or evidence
you have brought with you. If you furnished copies for the court file, the judge
can follow along.
The person you are suing will then have an opportunity to tell the
judge why he/she feels he/she does not owe you what you claim. After all
testimony and evidence has been presented, the judge will render a decision.
COLLECTION OF THE
JUDGMENT
It is your responsibility to collect a judgment.
Because you have a judgment, you have ways of collecting that you would not have
otherwise. Two of these are:
Installment payments : The
court encourages the parties to agree among themselves how a judgment is to be
paid. If a lump sum payment is not possible, try to reach some agreement on
installment payments.
Garnishment : If the defendant
will not voluntarily pay the judgment and you know where money is owed to
him/her, such as wages, bank accounts, rentals, etc. you may want to file a writ
of garnishment to attach this money. A writ of garnishment may not be issued to
enforce the judgment until the expiration of 21 days after it was entered. The
garnishment is filed against the person or business having possession of the
monies. They are referred to as the garnishee defendant. Income such
as welfare, unemployment, social security, etc., cannot be garnished.
Before filing a garnishment for personal wages, you must
know: (1) where the defendant works; (2) how often he/she is paid; and (3)
what day of the week he/she receives his/her check. This will help you decide
when the garnishment should be filed and served on the garnishee defendant.
The garnishee defendant has seven days after service
of the writ to let you, the Court, and the principal defendant know if there are
available monies. In the case of wages, you are not entitled to the defendant's
entire paycheck; only a portion of it as determined by a federal formula. You
may have to garnish several pay checks to satisfy a judgment if no other
payments are made. As you are required to sign a sworn affidavit to the truth
and correctness of the amount still owing, you must keep accurate records.
WHEN PAYMENT OF JUDGMENT IS COMPLETE,
EITHER IN FULL OR TO YOUR SATISFACTION, YOU MUST FILE A SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT
WITH THE COURT.
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