Civil court is designed for cases involving lawsuits between two or more parties seeking disputes involving amounts of $25,000 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.
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.
The court does not appoint a court appointed attorney for civil matters.
Corporations must be represented by an attorney.
- Be sure that you have brought your claim against the proper party & 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 and MC01a) 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). Checks should be made payable to 52-3 District Court.
- 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).
Below is a list of the commonly used General Civil Forms by the 52nd District Court, 3rd Division - Civil Division:
- 52-3 Contact Information - MC505
- Answer-Civil - MC03
- Motion and Affidavit to Set Aside Default (Civil) - MC99
- Order Regarding Motion to Set Aside Default - MC99a
- Complaint and Summons Regarding Dangerous Animal - DC118
- Summons and Complaint - MC01
- Summons and Complaint - second page - 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
- Judgment, Civil - MC10
- Subpoena, Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC11
- 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
- Complaint Claim and Delivery - MC35
- Affidavit and Notice of Entry of Foreign Judgment - MC62
- Notice of Judgment Lien - MC94
- Motion, Affidavit and Bench Warrant - MC229
- Order for Administrative Closing Due to Bankruptcy - MC300
- Proof of Mailing - MC302
- Motion and Verification for Alternate Service - MC303
- Order Regarding Alternate Service - MC304
- Notice of Hearing and Motion - MC326
- Order - MC327
- Civil Pre-Trial Statement (Fill-in version)
Civil Warrant Information Sheet - If a bench warrant is ordered by the judge, this sheet is to be filed in addition to the Motion, Affidavit, and Bench Warrant - MC229.
Company Information for Service of Process - This is to be filed with new General Civil or Small Claims cases if the defendant is a company. This form is to insure that service is done properly, if personal service is requested. Please refer to the Website at the bottom of the form if you do not know who the Resident Agent is.
Additional General Civil Forms can be found at the Michigan Courts website.
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
- Fee for Court's Process Server (Billed by Process Server): $26 per Defendant
- Mileage Fees (Billed by Process Server): 1-1/2 times $0.58/mile