General Civil (up to $25,000) - case involving lawsuits between two or more parties seeking disputes involving amounts of $25,000.00 or less.
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 a court appointed 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) to obtain your money. The Court does not collect the money for you.
- Be sure that you have brought your claim against the proper party and know the parties correct address
- Be sure that you are starting your case in the correct District Court (venue)
- Prepare a "summons and complaint" - 2 part form (MC 01 9/19 and MC 01a 6/19) - forms can be obtained from the General Civil Forms section below.
- Submit paperwork and pay a filing fee through MiFile True Filing.
- Decide how you would like the defendant served (sheriff, deputy sheriff, bailiff, 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)
- For additional filing information please (click here)
Please send or bring the appropriate number of copies of the form you are filing.
- 52-1 Contact Information - MC505
- Answer, Civil - MC03
- Summons and Complaint - MC01
- Summons and Complaint, 2nd Copy - MC01a
- Motion for Second Summons and Order - MC01b
- Default Request, Affidavit and Entry - MC07
- Default Request, Affidavit, Entry and Judgment (Sum Certain) - MC07a
- Voluntary Dismissal - MC09
- Certification of Completion of Case Evaluation
- Judgment, Civil - MC10
- Subpoena, Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC11
- Garnishee Disclosure - MC14
- Motion and Affidavit for Installment Payments/To Amend Order for Installment Payments - MC15
- Motion to Set Aside Order for Installment Payments - MC16
- Certificate of Satisfied Judgment - MC17
- Request and Order to Seize Property - MC19
- Garnishment Release - MC50
- Order for Administrative Closing Due to Bankruptcy - MC300
- Proof of Mailing - MC302
- Motion and Verification for Alternate Service - MC303
- Order Regarding Alternate Service - MC304
- Order - MC327
- Affidavit and Notice of Entry of Foreign Judgment - MC62
- Notice of Judgment Lien - MC94
- Petition and Order for Extension of Affidavit & Claim
- Petition to Permit Substituted Service
All fees must be paid by check, money order, or cash.
- $35.00: Claim is $600.00 and under
- $55.00: Claim is $600.01 - $1,750.00
- $75.00: Claim is $1,750.01 - $10,000.00
- $160.00: Claim is $10,000.01 - $25,000.00
- $75.00: Claim and Delivery (no Money Judgment)
- $75.00 + Civil Fee above: Supplement Fee for Money Judgment on Claim and Delivery
Cash will not be accepted for payments. Make check or money order payable to one of the following court officers:
- Robert Bandy (for section #1)
- Chuck Wagner (for section #1 & #2)
- McPherson Legal Service (for section #2)
Note: Service arrangements may be available for certain cities not listed below.
- Dennis Allen - Flint area: $71.00
- Listed fees are for each defendant.
- Service fee for a garnishment is $3.00 less than the fee listed above.