How to File a Small Claims Lawsuit in Tennessee
If you have a civil dispute with another party in Tennessee and the amount in dispute does not exceed $25,000, then you can try to collect monetary damages by filing a small claims lawsuit. The rules for filing a small claims lawsuit can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In Tennessee, such cases are filed with the Court of General Sessions. Unlike other types of lawsuits, the parties usually represent themselves, although you do retain the right to an attorney if you so choose.
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Instructions
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Obtain copies of the Statement of Claim form and Notice. These forms will be available from your local court clerk, who can assist you with filling out the forms.
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Fill out the Statement of Claim form with the following information: your name and address, the name and address of the person you are suing, the amount you are seeking and why you think the other person owes you money. Provide any supporting documents such as receipts or contracts. The Notice will include basically the same information.
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File the claim with the court either in the county where the person you are suing lives, where the company you are suing does business, where the contract in dispute was signed, or if your case involves an accident, where the accident occurred. You will have to pay a filing fee, which will vary from county to county.
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Serve the defendant with copies of the Statement of Claim and Notice. You can either do this via certified mail through the court clerk or have the defendant served in person by a process server.
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Tips & Warnings
You must serve the defendant with the court documents at least 10 days prior to your small claims hearing.
Be sure that you are filing the claim with the proper county. Otherwise, the defendant could request a transfer.
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