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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 Missouri, 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 Circuit Court. The jurisdictional limit for small claims court in Missouri is up to $5,000, not including interest and costs. This means that any debt claim amounting to $5,000 or less can be addressed in small claims court. Claims exceeding this amount must be filed in a higher court, such as the associate circuit court or the circuit court, depending on the amount of the debt and the specific procedures of the jurisdiction within Missouri. It's important for debtors to respond to such lawsuits to avoid default judgments, and they may benefit from consulting with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations under Missouri law.

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Creditor / Debtor

lawsuit to collect debt

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Creditor / Debtor

lawsuit to collect debt

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