Tennessee Small Claims Court Limits

Updated October 13, 2026 · 1 min read · 2 sources

Short answer

In Tennessee, you can sue for up to $25,000 in small claims court, which is handled by the General Sessions Court. General Sessions Court has no limit in cases to recover personal property or for eviction. Small claims cases are faster and cheaper than regular lawsuits, and most people represent themselves. If your claim is larger, you must file in a higher court or give up the excess.

Small claims court lets you resolve smaller disputes without hiring a lawyer. In Tennessee, the limit is $25,000.

At a glance

Question Answer
Maximum claim $25,000
Court General Sessions Court
Statute Tenn. Code § 16-15-501
Special rules General Sessions Court has no limit in cases to recover personal property or for eviction.

Common small claims cases

  • Security deposits a landlord did not return
  • Unpaid loans, invoices or wages
  • Property damage, including minor car accidents
  • Defective products or services that were paid for but not delivered

If your claim is over the limit

You can usually either reduce your claim to the limit and give up the rest, or file in a higher civil court where formal procedures apply and having a lawyer is more common. Splitting one claim into several cases to get under the limit is generally not allowed.

Filing a small claims case

  1. Make a written demand first; many disputes settle at this stage.
  2. Gather contracts, receipts, photos and messages. The small claims court checklist covers what to bring.
  3. File in the right court, usually where the defendant lives or does business or where the problem happened, and pay the filing fee.
  4. Have the defendant served properly, then prepare a short, organized presentation for the hearing.

More: how small claims court works and how to collect a small claims judgment. Tenants often use small claims for deposits; see Tennessee security deposit laws.

Sources

  1. RecordingLaw: Small claims court limits by state
  2. Cornell Law School LII: Small claims court

Find help near you in Tennessee

Popular cities: Memphis · Chattanooga · Nashville · Knoxville · Franklin · Cookeville

This page summarizes state law for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and courts interpret them; check the current statute or official source, or talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your situation.

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