Small claims court in Kansas

$10,000maximum claim in District court (small claims), as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $10,000^1,2K.S.A. 61-2703(a), 61-2704
You can sue for up to $10,000 in Kansas small claims court, not counting interest and costs. One person may file no more than 20 small claims in the same court each year.
Court: District court (small claims)^3,1K.S.A. 61-2707
Small claims cases are decided by a district court judge, without a jury.
Filing fee: Varies by county ($49 or $69 in Johnson County)^2,4K.S.A. 61-2704(b)
State law sets a docket fee of $35 for claims of $500 or less and $55 for larger claims, and surcharges are added. Johnson County charges $49 or $69 in total.
Lawyers: No, not before judgment³K.S.A. 61-2707(a)
Lawyers may not represent either side before judgment. A business can appear through an employee or officer who is not a lawyer.
Appeals: 14 days⁵K.S.A. 61-2709
You have 14 days after judgment to file a notice of appeal with the district court clerk. A different district judge then hears the whole case again.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract: 5 years⁶K.S.A. 60-511(1)
You have 5 years to sue over a written contract or promise.
Oral contract: 3 years⁷K.S.A. 60-512(1)
You have 3 years to sue over a contract that is not in writing.
Property damage: 2 years⁸K.S.A. 60-513(a)(1), (2)
You have 2 years to sue for trespass on land or for taking or damaging personal property.
Personal injury: Not yet confirmed
We have not confirmed this from an official source yet, so we do not show a figure.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

K.S.A. 61-2703, Small claim defined, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, 2024-07-01official
K.S.A. 61-2704, Commencement, fees, limit on claims, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial
K.S.A. 61-2707, Trial, attorneys, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial
Small Claims, Johnson County District Court, Johnson County District Court, 2024-07-01official
K.S.A. 61-2709, Appeals, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial
K.S.A. 60-511, Five years, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial
K.S.A. 60-512, Three years, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial
K.S.A. 60-513, Two years, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutesofficial

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.