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Nebraska Small Claims Court

County Court, Small Claims Court, for claims up to $7,500.

Last checked November 1, 2026

The most you can ask for$7,500
LawyersLawyers not allowed
Time to sue on a contract5 years
Good to know

Excludes interest and costs. Also covers rescinding certain goods or services contracts. A counterclaim above the limit moves the case to the regular docket. Filing is capped at 2 claims a week and 10 a year, and assigned claims cannot be filed.

Lawyers: A defendant can transfer to the regular county court docket, where lawyers are allowed. Lawyers can also handle appeals and motions for a new trial or to set aside a default.

How it works in Nebraska

  1. Complete the claim form (CC 4:1) and file it with the county court clerk where the defendant lives or does business, or where the claim arose.
  2. Pay the filing fee, in person or by mail.
  3. Arrange service by certified mail, the sheriff or a process server. Identify the defendant correctly, because mistakes can lead to dismissal.
  4. Gather documents and witnesses, and consider settlement or mediation before trial.
  5. Attend the trial. There is no jury and no lawyer in small claims, and the judge may rule that day or later.

What it costs

$58 under the fee schedule effective 1 July 2026, plus service costs. Moving the case to the regular docket costs $20 more.

How long you have to sue

Written contract5 years
Spoken agreement4 years
Damage to property4 years
Personal injury4 years

Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-205, 25-206, 25-207, 25-208. 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 side can appeal to district court within 30 days of the judgment by filing notice, paying the docket fee and posting a $50 bond; the judge reviews the record and does not hear new evidence.

The limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 on 1 July 2025 under LB139 (2024). The statute now states fixed amounts. The court's fee schedule is effective 1 July 2026. No scheduled change to the limit was found.

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.