Utah Small Claims Court Guide

$20000 Maximum Claim (Individuals)
$20000 Maximum Claim (Businesses)
30-60 days Typical Wait Time
Yes Lawyers Allowed

Utah Small Claims Court Limits

Utah has one of the highest small claims limits at $20,000 for all plaintiffs.

Court Name: Small Claims Department of District Court or Justice Court

Official Website: https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/consumer/small-claims.html

Filing Fees in Utah

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

Claim Amount Filing Fee
Typical Range$75-185

Filing fees vary based on claim amount. Fee waivers available for low-income plaintiffs.

Serving the Defendant

Service must be completed at least 14 days before the hearing date.

Allowed Service Methods:

Important: You must serve the defendant at least 14 days before the hearing date.

What to Expect at Your Hearing

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

Attorneys Allowed: Attorneys are permitted in Utah small claims court but most parties represent themselves.

Appeals

Either party may appeal to District Court within 28 days.

Utah 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 to show you attempted resolution before filing.

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 Utah?

Utah has one of the highest small claims limits in the country at $20,000 for all plaintiffs.

Where do I file a small claims case in Utah?

Small claims cases can be filed in Justice Court or the Small Claims Department of District Court.

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

In Utah, you have 6 years for written contracts and 4 years for oral contracts from the date of breach.

How do I appeal a Utah small claims judgment?

Either party may appeal to District Court within 28 days of the judgment.