Step-by-step guide to filing a small claims case in Massachusetts. Learn the process, required forms, fees, and how to prepare your case — max claim $7,000.
Filing a small claims case in Massachusetts is designed to be accessible to anyone without a lawyer. Whether you're suing a landlord, contractor, or someone who owes you money, the process follows these key steps. The maximum claim amount in Massachusetts is $7,000, and cases are heard in the District Court / Boston Municipal Court.
Your claim must be $7,000 or less. Small claims cannot handle landlord-tenant evictions, family law, or criminal matters.
Complete the Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial form available at any District Court clerk's office.
File at the District Court nearest to where the defendant lives or where the business is located. Pay the filing fee.
The court mails notice to the defendant. They have a set number of days to respond.
Many Massachusetts courts offer optional mediation before the hearing — a great way to settle without a formal ruling.
Present your evidence to the judge. Be organized and bring copies of everything. Decisions are usually issued within a few weeks.
Up to $7,000 in most cases. Consumer protection cases under Chapter 93A may allow for double or triple damages.
File at the District Court or Boston Municipal Court in the division where the defendant lives or does business.
Mediation is available but not mandatory. Many courts strongly encourage it as it resolves cases faster.
Chapter 93A is Massachusetts' consumer protection law. Violations can result in double or triple damages — worth mentioning if a business acted unfairly.
You can file if the dispute arose in Massachusetts, but collecting a judgment from an out-of-state defendant can be more challenging.
CourtLinked prepares and files your Massachusetts small claims case for you. No courthouse visits, no forms to decipher.
File Your Claim NowCourtLinked guides you through every step of filing your Massachusetts small claims case — from paperwork to court-ready documents.
File with CourtLinked