Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial — every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form — plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Massachusetts claim qualifiesThe Massachusetts Small Claims Form
📄 Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial
The form that opens your case. Download it free from mass.gov.
Massachusetts Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | District Court / BMC / Housing Court, Small Claims Session |
| Claim limit | $7,000 |
| Limit: Auto-accident property damage — no cap | no cap |
| Claim form | Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial |
| Filing fee | $40 / $50 / $100 / $150 by amount — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing |
| Serving the defendant | CLERK mails notice to defendant (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Before you file | Ch. 93A 30-day demand letter REQUIRED for consumer-protection claims |
| Law that sets the limit | M.G.L. c. 218, § 21 |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
In Massachusetts, the exact court, local paperwork and fees can differ by county or court. The court finder below shows yours.
Filing Deadlines in Massachusetts
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 6 years — 3 years where the contract action seeks recovery for personal injuries — Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A. | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 |
| Damage to property | 3 years | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Personal injury | 3 years | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Unpaid debt or account | 6 years | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Massachusetts Instead?
Do you file an answer? A written answer is optional, and not filing one does not put you in default. You must appear at trial. (Uniform Small Claims Rule 3(b))
If they owe you money: Your counterclaim is heard with the plaintiff's claim if you mail notice of it to the plaintiff at least 10 days before the trial date. (Uniform Small Claims Rule 3(c))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Massachusetts Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — mass.gov
- Official source — mass.gov
- Official source — mass.gov
- The law itself — M.G.L. c. 218, § 21
- The clerk of the District Court / BMC / Housing Court, Small Claims Session — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
How does Massachusetts compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Massachusetts Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Massachusetts?
The form that opens the case is the Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial. The official source is mass.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Massachusetts small claims court?
In Massachusetts you can claim up to $7,000 in the District Court / BMC / Housing Court, Small Claims Session. Different limits apply in some cases: Auto-accident property damage — no cap, no cap. If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in Massachusetts?
The filing fee is $40 / $50 / $100 / $150 by amount — confirm the current fee with the clerk before filing. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Massachusetts small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial, with every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form and file. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it filled in for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Massachusetts case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Massachusetts claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.