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lawsuit to collect debt

Lawsuits to collect debts are usually filed in state courts—and may be filed in small claims courts, depending on the amount of the debt and the small claims court’s jurisdictional limits (the maximum amount of a claim that can be filed in the court).

In Arizona, lawsuits to collect debts are typically filed in state courts, and the venue depends on the amount of the debt. For smaller debts, creditors may file a lawsuit in small claims court, which is a division of the Justice Courts in Arizona. As of the knowledge cutoff in 2023, the jurisdictional limit for small claims in Arizona is $3,500. This means that if the debt amount is $3,500 or less, the creditor can file the case in small claims court, which is designed to be a faster and less formal venue for resolving disputes. If the debt exceeds this amount, the lawsuit would need to be filed in a higher court, such as the Superior Court. It's important for debtors to respond to such lawsuits within the specified time frame to avoid a default judgment, which could lead to wage garnishment or other collection actions.

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Creditor / Debtor

lawsuit to collect debt

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Arizona State Code

Arizona State Code

Creditor / Debtor

lawsuit to collect debt

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