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Kentucky Small Claims Court

District Court, Small Claims Division, for claims up to $2,500.

Last checked November 1, 2026

The most you can ask for$2,500
LawyersLawyers allowed
Time to sue on a contract10 years
Good to know

Not counting interest and costs. Lenders, collection agencies and assigned claims can't file. Limit of 25 claims a calendar year, or per business location in a district.

How it works in Kentucky

  1. Try to settle first, and get any agreement in writing.
  2. Complete the Small Claims Complaint (AOC-175) with the defendant's correct address.
  3. File with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the defendant lives or does business, or through eFiling, and pay the fee.
  4. Choose certified mail or the sheriff for service, and check with the clerk that the defendant was served.
  5. Go to the hearing with your evidence and witnesses. There's no jury in the Small Claims Division.

What it costs

Check with your court

How long you have to sue

Written contract10 years
Spoken agreement5 years
Damage to property2 years
Personal injury1 year

KRS 413.160, 413.090, 413.120, 413.125, 413.140. These are general limits. The clock can start late, pause or be much shorter, as it is for claims against a government agency.

If you lose

Either party can appeal to Circuit Court within 10 days of the judgment. The judge reviews the record for legal error, and no new evidence is allowed.

No recent change found. KRS 24A.230 was last amended effective June 8, 2011, and form AOC-175 (Rev. 4-26) and the October 2026 Clerks' Manual still use $2,500. 2024 House Bill 353 would have raised the limit to $5,000 but stopped at a House committee.

Sources

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General information to help you get organized, last checked November 1, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and SueYou isn't a law firm. Laws change and every case is different, so confirm anything important with a lawyer or the court. No lawyer has reviewed this page yet.