Nebraska Small Claims Court Guide

$7500 Maximum Claim (Individuals)
$7500 Maximum Claim (Businesses)
30-60 days Typical Wait Time
No Lawyers Allowed

Nebraska Small Claims Court Limits

Nebraska small claims court limit is $7,500 for all plaintiffs.

Court Name: Small Claims Court (County Court)

Official Website: https://nebraskapjudicial.gov/self-help/small-claims

Filing Fees in Nebraska

Filing fees vary based on the amount you're claiming:

Claim Amount Filing Fee
Typical Range$26-56

Filing fees vary based on claim amount. Service fees additional.

Serving the Defendant

Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing date.

Allowed Service Methods:

Important: You must serve the defendant at least 10 days before the hearing date.

What to Expect at Your Hearing

After filing, you'll typically wait 30-60 days for your hearing date.

No Lawyers Required: Attorneys are NOT allowed in Nebraska small claims court. Parties must represent themselves.

Appeals

Either party may appeal to District Court within 30 days for a new trial.

Nebraska Statute of Limitations

You must file your lawsuit within these time limits from when the dispute occurred:

Type of Claim Time Limit
Written Contract years
Oral Contract years
Property Damage years
Personal Injury years

Do I Need a Demand Letter Before Filing?

Sending a demand letter is recommended before filing suit.

Create Your Free Demand Letter

Before going to court, try sending a demand letter. It's free, takes 5 minutes, and often resolves disputes without filing.

Create Free Demand Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small claims court limit in Nebraska?

The Nebraska small claims court limit is $7,500 for all plaintiffs.

Can I have a lawyer in Nebraska small claims court?

No. Attorneys are not permitted in Nebraska small claims court. All parties must represent themselves.

How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, you have 5 years for written contracts and 4 years for oral contracts from the date of breach.

How do I appeal a Nebraska small claims judgment?

Either party may appeal to District Court within 30 days. The appeal results in a new trial (trial de novo).