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 Montana, lawsuits to collect debts are typically filed in state courts, which include District Courts and Justice Courts. Small claims cases, which are a subset of Justice Courts, are designed for simpler and less expensive resolution of disputes involving smaller amounts of money. The jurisdictional limit for small claims court in Montana is $7,000, meaning that any debt collection lawsuit seeking recovery of up to $7,000 can be filed in small claims court. If the amount of the debt exceeds this limit, the lawsuit must be filed in a court with higher jurisdiction, such as a District Court. It's important for plaintiffs to choose the correct court based on the amount of the debt to ensure the case is heard and to avoid dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.