Small claims court in Nebraska (2026)

Nebraska small claims at a glance

Most you can sue for

$7,500

Court

Small Claims Court (a department of each County Court)

Filing fee

$58

Lawyers

Not allowed

Appeal

Either side, 30 days

Ask for payment first

Not required by law

Can you sue in Nebraska small claims?

Enter the amount and the date it happened. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Where to file and how much

• Court. Every county court has a Small Claims Court heard by a county judge. File in the county where the defendant or the defendant's agent lives or does business, or where the claim arose; a case filed in the wrong county is dismissed and the filing fees and prepaid costs are lost.
• Limit. Claims for money, damages or personal property up to $7,500, not counting interest and costs. The same limit applies to businesses. No party may file more than 2 claims in a calendar week or more than 10 claims in a calendar year. The limit was $6,000 from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. (in force since July 1, 2025)
• Filing fee. The statewide county court fee schedule lists a total of $58.00 to file a small claims case ($6.25 small claims docket fee under 25-2804 plus statewide add-on fees). Service costs are extra but are added to the judgment if you win. Transferring to the regular docket costs $20; an appeal needs a $50 cost bond.

Who can sue and who can speak in court

• No lawyers may represent parties in Small Claims Court (they may help with appeals and motions to set aside a default). Individuals represent themselves; a corporation appears through an employee, an LLC through a member, manager or employee, a partnership through a partner or employee. Only a party to the transaction may sue, and assigned claims may not be filed.
• A collection agency or anyone who was assigned or bought the claim can't file it in small claims.
• Before you file. No statute or court guide requires a demand before filing. The Judicial Branch guide says you are encouraged to try to settle before trial, and settlement notices should be in writing.
• Jury and moving the case. All small claims matters are tried to the judge without a jury. A defendant (or the defendant's lawyer) may transfer the case to the regular county court docket by giving notice at least 2 days before the hearing and paying the fee difference; the plaintiff cannot object to the transfer, and a jury demand may then be made under the regular county court timeframes. A counterclaim above $7,500 also moves the whole case to the regular docket.

How long you have to sue in Nebraska

The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Written contracts: 5 years. Oral or implied contracts and statutory liabilities: 4 years. Injury to personal property, trespass, and other injuries not arising on contract: 4 years. Fraud: 4 years from discovery.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-205 (written), 25-206 (oral), 25-207 (property, other torts, fraud)

After the hearing: appeals and collecting

Who can appeal

Either side can appeal.

Kind of appeal

Review of the record (no new trial)

Deadline

Any party may appeal to the district court by filing a notice of appeal and depositing the district court docket fee with the county court clerk within 30 days after entry of the judgment (the file-stamped date). Small claims appellants must also post a $50 cash bond or surety undertaking within the same 30 days. The district court reviews the case for error appearing on the record.

Collecting the money

The court does not collect for you. If the debtor does not pay after the appeal time runs, you may use execution (sheriff seizes and sells property) or garnishment of wages or bank accounts, using forms from the county court clerk. A judgment becomes dormant if no execution is issued within 5 years of entry or of the last execution. A county court judgment is not a lien on real estate unless a certified copy is filed in the district court of the county where the land is.

Good to know in Nebraska

• No prejudgment attachment, garnishment or replevin is allowed in Small Claims Court.
• A defendant's counterclaim or setoff must be filed and delivered to the plaintiff at least 2 days before trial.
• Rules of evidence (except privilege) do not apply; hearings are informal.
• Plaintiff and defendant packets: CC 4:20 and CC 4:21 on the Judicial Branch site.

Official help and forms

• Nebraska courts: small claims self-help
• Nebraska small claims forms
• Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)

Sources

• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2802 (jurisdiction, $7,500 limit) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2803 (parties, representation, assigned claims) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2804 (filing, fee, counterclaims) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2805 (no jury, transfer) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2807 (appeals) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2729 (appeal procedure, $50 bond) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-2733 (review on the record) (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-205 (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-206 (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-207 (read October 18, 2026)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 25-1515 (dormant judgments) (read October 18, 2026)
• Nebraska Judicial Branch: Small Claims (read October 18, 2026)
• Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing a Small Claims Case (read October 18, 2026)
• Nebraska Judicial Branch: Filing Fees and Court Costs (read October 18, 2026)
• Nebraska Judicial Branch: Collecting Your Money After a Judgment (read October 18, 2026)

Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.