Small claims court in Massachusetts

$7,000maximum claim in Small claims session of the District Court, Boston Municipal Court or Housing Court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit: $7,000^1,2Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, 21
You can claim up to $7,000. There is no dollar limit for property damage caused by a motor vehicle.
Court: Small claims session of the District Court, Boston Municipal Court or Housing Court²Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, 21
File in the District Court or Boston Municipal Court where the defendant lives, works or does business. Housing Court also hears small claims about a residence in its area.
Filing fee: $40 to $150 (by claim amount)²
The statewide fee is $40 for claims of $500 or less, $50 for $501 to $2,000, $100 for $2,001 to $5,000 and $150 for $5,001 to $7,000. Car accident property damage claims over $7,000 also cost $150.
Lawyers: Yes, not required²
You do not need a lawyer, but you may hire one if you wish.
Appeals: 10 days (defendant only)^3,4,5Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, 23, Uniform Small Claims Rule 10
Only a defendant who lost after a trial may appeal, within 10 days of receiving the judgment, for a new trial before a judge or a jury of six. Filing in small claims means the plaintiff gives up the right to a jury.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

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

Written contract: 6 years⁶Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, 2
6 years for contract claims, except claims for personal injury.
Oral contract: 6 years⁶Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, 2
6 years. Massachusetts uses the same period for written and oral contracts.
Property damage: 3 years⁷Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, 2A
3 years for tort claims, which include most property damage claims.
Personal injury: 3 years⁷Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, 2A
3 years for personal injury claims, whether based on a tort or a contract.

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

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, Section 21, Massachusetts General Courtofficial
Small Claims in Massachusetts, What You Need to Know, Massachusetts Trial Courtofficial
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, Section 23, Massachusetts General Courtofficial
Small Claims Standards 8:00, Appealing from the judgment, Massachusetts Trial Courtofficial
Uniform Small Claims Rule 10, Appeal, Massachusetts Trial Court, 2025-02-03official
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, Section 2, Massachusetts General Courtofficial
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, Section 2A, Massachusetts General Courtofficial

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.