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 Utah, lawsuits to collect debts are typically filed in the state court system. The venue for filing a debt collection lawsuit depends on the amount of the debt. If the debt amount is within the small claims court's jurisdictional limits, the lawsuit may be filed in small claims court. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, the maximum amount that can be claimed in Utah's small claims courts is $11,000. Claims exceeding this amount would need to be filed in a district court. It's important for debtors and creditors to be aware of the statute of limitations for debt collection in Utah, which varies depending on the type of debt but generally ranges from four to six years. If a lawsuit is filed after the statute of limitations has expired, the debtor may have a defense to the lawsuit.