Small claims limit in Indiana: $10,000

The rule in Indiana

The small claims limit in Indiana is $10,000. The rule is Ind. Code § 33-29-2-4; the Madison County Courts (in.gov), Small Claims summary handout puts it this way: “Claims are limited to $10,000 or less”. The court that hears these cases: Small claims docket.

Among the 51 jurisdictions with a verified figure on this site, Indiana ranks 13th from the top. That is exactly the median of $10,000. It is 4 times Kentucky's $2,500 floor and 40% of the $25,000 top figure. 15 other verified jurisdictions use the same $10,000 figure, including Alaska, District of Columbia, Illinois and Kansas.

Next door, Illinois allows $10,000, Kentucky allows $2,500, Michigan allows $7,000 and Ohio allows $6,000. A claim of $10,000 that fits in Indiana would be $7,500 over the line in Kentucky.

Worked check against the $10,000 figure: a $5,000 claim uses 50% of the limit and leaves $5,000 of room; a claim of exactly $10,000 still fits, because the rule caps the amount rather than excluding it; a claim of $10,001 is $1 over.

The source checked for Indiana does not publish a statewide filing fee, so this page shows none; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts the current amount.

The court handout says the $10,000 limit applies to cases filed on or after July 1, 2021.

Deposit disputes are a common small claims case. Indiana sets no cap on deposits (deposit rules), so a deposit larger than $10,000 could not be claimed in full in small claims; the landlord's return deadline there is 45 days.

Source: Madison County Courts (in.gov), Small Claims summary handout · Ind. Code § 33-29-2-4 · last checked October 20, 2026.

Where the case goes

A claim within the limit is filed with the Small claims docket. The linked source is the place to confirm forms, the filing fee and where to file before starting; the guides on filing a small claims case and serving the papers explain the usual steps in general terms.