Small Claims Department
Small Claims Department
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice
Room 3012
600 W. Jefferson St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone 502-595-4475
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Civil District/Small Claims Department handles the intake and processing of small claims for complaints not exceeding $2,500. Typically, cases in this court are filed by self-represented individuals (proceeding without assistance from an attorney) dealing with non-criminal legal issues. You can obtain an information packet on how to file a small claims case from the Small Claims Department during normal business hours.
Small Claims Handbook
A citizen’s guide to handling small claims complaints in Kentucky can be found online in the Small Claims Handbook.
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Costs and Fees |
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Appeals
Appeal including CD - $80
Attorney Fees
Attorney Tax Fee - $2.50
Certifications
Act of Congress - $5
Certifications - $5
Certified Mail Fee - $10.09 per defendant
Copies
Copies of CDs - $10 each
Copies - 25 cents per page
Jury
Jury Fee - $30
Petitions
Attorney Tax Fee - $2.50
Small Claims Cases - $33.25
Third-Party Complaint - $30
Service
Jefferson County Sheriff Fee - $40 per defendant
Secretary of State - $14.50
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Docket and Motion Hour |
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Division 1, Courtroom 308, Thursday, 11 a.m.
Division 2, Courtroom 308, Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Motions are scheduled on Friday for the Civil 1 and Civil 2 motion hours.
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Forms |
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Forms Available Online
You can download these small claims forms online.
AOC-135.1 Affidavit to Challenge Execution
AOC-145 Affidavit for Writ of Non-Wage Garnishment
AOC-150.2 Affidavit to Challenge Garnishment
AOC-175 Small Claims Complaint
AOC-180 Small Claims Summons
AOC-185 Small Claims Counter-Claim
AOC-197 Small Claims Post-Judgment Interrogatories
AOC-198 Small Claims Post-Judgment Motion/Order Requiring Losing Party to Answer Interrogatories
Forms Available from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk
These small claims forms are available from the Small Claims Department in Room 3012 in the Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice.
AOC-135 Execution
AOC-140 Order for Sale (Venditioni Exponas)
AOC-150 Notice of Rights to Assert Exemption to Wage Garnishment
AOC-150.1 Order of Garnishment (Non-Wage)
AOC-150.5 Affidavit and Supplemental Order of Wage Garnishment
AOC-199 Small Claims Settlement Agreement & Order
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: When will my court date be if I file today?
A: Court dates are scheduled no less than 20 days and no more than 40 days from the date of service of the summons.
Q: How do I collect my money after receiving a judgment?
A: There is a section in the “Small Claims Handbook” on ways to collect on judgments. The “Small Claims Handbook” is available online or you can obtain a printed copy in the Small Claims Department during normal business hours.
Q: Can an attorney or relative represent an individual in a small claims case?
A: Individuals can represent themselves in a small claims case or obtain an attorney to represent them. However, those who are not a party to a small claims case cannot appear on behalf of one of the parties.
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Legal Glossary |
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Agreed judgment. An agreed judgment is filed in court by both parties then signed by the judge for judgment in the case.
Bailiff affidavit. Special bailiffs are used to serve papers.
Defendant. Person being sued.
Discharge of debtor. An order from a bankruptcy judge that forgives remaining debts that cannot be paid.
Discovery. Getting the information needed to collect one’s judgment usually completed by a subpoena.
Execution. Process to execute on one’s possessions after a judgment.
Foreign judgment. Form used to transfer judgments into our state.
Forthwith order of arrest. An order signed by a judge to have the sheriff arrest a defendant for failure to show up in court for a discovery hearing after being served a subpoena.
Garnishment. Process of petitioning for and getting a court order directing a person or an entity to hold funds owed to someone who allegedly is in debt to another person after a judgment has been rendered.
Garnishment challenge. Form used to challenge a wage garnishment on an individual’s paycheck.
Judgment. Final decision of the court.
Judgment lien. Claim or charge against properties or funds for payment of a debt or an amount for services rendered
Master calendar. Displays all cases on the docket for a specific day and what occurred in each case that day.
Notice of appeal. An appeal filed requesting a case to be heard by a higher court
Notice motion order. Form used to put a case back on the judge’s docket when there is a dispute.
Plaintiff. Person filing the complaint.
Process Agent. Process agents are listed with the Secretary of State’s Office. When suing a corporation, you must find out from the Secretary of State’s Office who the agent is so that he or she can serve as the agent for the company.
Return of Service. A certified-mail receipt or service of summons from the sheriff that confirms a defendant has been served.
Small Claims Complaint. Form to be completed when filing a small claims suit.
Special Bailiff. A person to whom some authority or jurisdiction is given to serve a summons on a small claims case when service has not been rendered by certified mail or a sheriff.
Subpoena. A writ issued under authority of a court to compel the appearance of a witness or a defendant.
Summons. Requires the appearance of said defendant in an action. The purpose of a summons is to notify the defendant that he or she has been sued.
Warrants of Possession. Form completed by the plaintiff on the eighth day after obtaining a judgment in an eviction court.
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