E-Filing is mandatory for attorneys on all Civil cases.
General Civil cases involve lawsuits between two or more parties involving amounts up to $25,000.
You have the right to a jury trial, the right to be represented by an attorney and the right to an appeal beyond this court. The Court does not appoint an attorney for civil matters. Corporations must be represented by an attorney.
If the Court decides in your favor, it does not automatically mean that the defendant will pay the judgment and costs. You may have to take additional legal steps (i.e. garnishment, execution, recovery of possession) to obtain your money. The Court does not collect the money for you.
- Be sure that your claim is against the proper party (legal name) & know the party's correct address.
- Be sure that you are starting your case in the correct District Court (venue).
- Prepare a carbon pack "summons and complaint" - 2 part form MC01 3/06 and MC01a 3/85 or 4 copies of each form - forms can be obtained at any District Court or from our General Civil Forms Section.
- Pay a filing fee (the filing fee can be paid by check, money order, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).
- Decide how you would like the defendant served (appointed court officer, attorney for a party, legally competent adult who is not a party or an officer of a corporate party or by certified mail).
Commonly Used General Civil Forms
- Answer-Civil - MC03
- Claim of Appeal - MC55
- Appeal Instructions
- Bond on Appeal - MC56
- Motion and Affidavit to Set Aside Default - MC99
- Summons and Complaint - MC01
- Summons and Complaint - second page - MC01a
- Motion for Second Summons - MC01b
- Default Entry and Judgment (Sum Certain) - MC07a
- Default Request and Entry
- Voluntary Dismissal - MC09
- Judgment, Civil - MC10
- Subpoena-Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC11
- Motion for Installment Payments
- Certificate of Satisfied Judgment - MC17
- Request and Order to Seize Property - MC19
- Affidavit and Notice of Entry of Foreign Judgment - MC62
- Notice of Judgment Lien - MC94
- Motion, Affidavit and Bench Warrant - MC229
- Motion and Verification for Alternate Service - MC303
- Order for Alternate Service - MC304
- Order - MC327
- Order for Administrative Closing Due to Bankruptcy Stay - MC300
- Motion to Setaside Installment Payments - MC16
- Motion and Notice of Hearing - MC326
- Transcript Request
- ADA Request MC70 (Request for Reasonable Accommodations and Response)
- ADA Review MC70a (Review of Request for Reasonable Accommodations and Response)
SCAO-Approved Garnishment Form Search
Commonly Used Civil Garnishment Forms
- Request and Writ for Garnishment-periodic - MC12
- Garnishee Disclosure - MC14
- Request and Writ for Garnishment-non-periodic - MC13
- Objections to Garnishment and Notice of Hearing - MC49
- Garnishment Release MC50
- Request and Writ for Garnishment (income tax refund/credit) - MC52
All SCAO approved forms are available on the links above. This site only list the names of the most commonly used forms.
- Claim is $600.00 and under: $25 + $10 eFiling fee | Total = $35
- Claim is $600.01 to $1,750.00: $45 + $10 eFiling fee | Total = $55
- Claim is $1,750.01 to $10,000.00: $65 + $10 eFiling fee | Total = $75
- Claim is $10,000.01 to $25,000.00: $150 + $10 eFiling fee | Total = $160
- Claim & Delivery - Without money judgement: $65 + $10 = $75
- Claim & Delivery - With money judgement: $65 + $10 = $75
Bonded Process Servers
- Rancillio and Associates: (586) 792-3810
- Hope and Associates: (810) 239-7788
- Johnson Process Serving: (810) 845-1846
Additional Information
- Supplement fees for money Judgement on claim & delivery.
- See Filing Fee for claim amount shown above.
- More information about Fines, Fees, Costs, and Rates
- Jury Demand: $50
- Motion: $20
- Certified Copy: $10
- Each Additional Certified Copy: $1
- Judgment LIEN: $10
- Writ of Garnishment: $15
- Writ of Execution: $15
- Discovery Subpoena: $15