Which Michigan court hears your civil case
Civil jurisdiction thresholds with statutory authority. Source: 1Court Directory, verified 2026-08-20 (official source).
| Tier | Court | Amount in controversy | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims | District Court: Small Claims Division Eff. 2024-01-01. | Up to $7,000 | MCL 600.8401 |
| Limited civil | District Court | Up to $25,000 | MCL 600.8301 |
| General civil | Circuit Court Over $25,000. | No limit | MCL 600.601 |
Answer deadline after service
A defendant generally has 28 days after service of the summons and complaint to file an answer (MCR 2.108(A)). Note: 21 days for personal service; 28 used to cover service by mail.
Estimates from the statutory answer period; service-method extensions and local rules can change these dates. Verify before relying on them. Not legal advice.
20 Michigan forms SimpleCase prepares
Generated from your uploaded complaint, with captions and terminology matched to Michigan practice. Every document is a draft for attorney review.
- Demand for possession, nonpayment of rent (7 days)(pattern) MCL 600.5714(1)(a); pattern of SCAO form DC 100a: pre-filing notice; verify service method
- Complaint to recover possession of property(pattern) MCL 600.5714: District Court; pattern of SCAO form DC 102a
- Notice of Appearance(pattern) Appearance of counsel; service on undersigned requested
- Motion for Continuance(pattern) Good-cause continuance with proposed order
- Notice of Deposition(pattern) Oral deposition with optional duces tecum; recording method per rule
- Civil Subpoena(pattern) Testimony and/or production (duces tecum); issuance and witness-fee rules vary
- Answer(pattern) Responsive pleading: denials and affirmative defenses
- Satisfaction of Judgment(pattern) acknowledgment of satisfaction for entry on the docket
- Complaint(pattern) MCR 2.101, 2.111: Circuit Court; District Court to $25,000 (MCL 600.8301): initiating pleading
- Summons (MC 01)MCR 2.102: 21/28-day answer, expires 91 days
- Civil Cover SheetRequired for case assignment and filing fee
- Proof of Service (MC 104)MCR 2.104: server's return
- Fee Waiver Request (MC 20)MCR 2.002: fee waiver
- Stipulation of DismissalMCR 2.504
- Default Request and Entry (MC 07)MCR 2.603: clerk enters default, includes military status
- Affidavit of Non-Military Service50 U.S.C. ยง 3931 / MCL 32.517
- Default Judgment (MC 11)MCR 2.603: interest from date of filing (MCL 600.6013)
- Writ of Garnishment: Periodic (Wages)MCL 600.4011: wage garnishment (25% / 30x min wage)
- Writ of Garnishment: Non-PeriodicMCL 600.4011: bank accounts & property
- Order for Discovery of AssetsMCR 2.621: post-judgment debtor examination
Filing packages
One click assembles the forms a Michigan matter typically needs at each stage.
Eviction: Notice & Filing
Demand for possession, nonpayment of rent (7 days) · Complaint to recover possession of property
General Civil
Complaint · Summons (MC 01) · Civil Cover Sheet · Proof of Service (MC 104)
Collections: File & Serve
Complaint · Summons (MC 01) · Civil Cover Sheet · Proof of Service (MC 104)
Collections: Default Judgment
Default Request and Entry (MC 07) · Affidavit of Non-Military Service · Default Judgment (MC 11)
Collections: Enforce Judgment
Satisfaction of Judgment · Writ of Garnishment: Periodic (Wages) · Writ of Garnishment: Non-Periodic · Order for Discovery of Assets
Fee Waiver
Fee Waiver Request (MC 20)
Stipulation of Dismissal
Stipulation of Dismissal
County-level court details
Filing fees, clerk contacts, e-filing portals, and courthouse addresses for every Michigan county are in the 1Court Directory: Michigan.
How it works
Upload your case document
PDF, Word, image, or text. SimpleCase extracts parties, claims, amounts, and dates.
Confirm venue and court
For unfiled cases, SimpleCase suggests the county, court level, and courthouse, with the statutory basis shown.
Generate the package
Every required form, filled and assembled as a ZIP, ready for attorney review and filing.
Turn a complaint into a filing-ready case
Your first 3 cases are free. No card required.
Try SimpleCase freeSimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.