Michigan lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Michigan has small claims cases up to $7,000, a 3-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $175. Lawyers in Michigan bill an average of $297 an hour in Clio's 2025 data. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Michigan legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $7,000[1][2][3] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $30 (claims up to $600); $50 ($600-$1,750); $70 (over $1,750). This is the MCL 600.8420 base of $25/$45/$65 plus the $5 small-claims e-filing system fee under MCL 600.1986(1)(d).[1][2][3] |
| Circuit Court civil filing fee | $175 total: $150 under MCL 600.2529(1)(a) plus the $25 electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986(1)(a)[4] |
| Divorce filing fee | $175 base (no minor children)[4] |
| Personal injury deadline | 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))[5] |
| Attorney fee caps | MCR 8.121: in personal injury and wrongful death claims, the maximum contingent fee is one-third of the amount recovered (combined for all attorneys).[6] |
| Average lawyer rate | $297/hour (Clio, 2025 data for Michigan)[7] |
What lawyers charge in Michigan
Clio's Legal Trends data puts the average billed rate in Michigan at $297 per hour, against $349 nationally[7]. That is an average across law firms that use Clio's software, not a quote: rates depend on the practice area, the lawyer's experience and the city.
Illustrative budget at $297/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $297; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,485; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $5,940, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Michigan
Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court. You can ask for up to $7,000[1][2][3]. MCL 600.8401 sets $7,000 from Jan 1, 2024; the limit is scheduled to rise every 3 years.
- Filing fee: $30 (claims up to $600); $50 ($600-$1,750); $70 (over $1,750). This is the MCL 600.8420 base of $25/$45/$65 plus the $5 small-claims e-filing system fee under MCL 600.1986(1)(d).
- Serving the other side: The plaintiff also pays the cost of serving the documents; no statewide amount is set.
- Court self-help: Michigan court self-help resources
See how Michigan compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
Circuit Court: $175 total: $150 under MCL 600.2529(1)(a) plus the $25 electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986(1)(a)[4]
Divorce: $175 base (no minor children)[4] The $150 civil fee plus the $25 e-filing fee. Add $80 where custody or parenting time is decided (MCL 600.2529(1)(d)(i)), or $40 for support only.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2))[5]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: MCR 8.121: in personal injury and wrongful death claims, the maximum contingent fee is one-third of the amount recovered (combined for all attorneys).[6]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for Michigan; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.
Free and low-cost legal help in Michigan
- Legal aid: Michigan Legal Help. Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[8].
- Lawyer referral: State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service.
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Michigan?
$7,000, in the Small Claims Division of the District Court. MCL 600.8401 sets $7,000 from Jan 1, 2024; the limit is scheduled to rise every 3 years.
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Michigan?
$30 (claims up to $600); $50 ($600-$1,750); $70 (over $1,750). This is the MCL 600.8420 base of $25/$45/$65 plus the $5 small-claims e-filing system fee under MCL 600.1986(1)(d). Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan?
Generally 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2)). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in Michigan?
$175 base (no minor children). The $150 civil fee plus the $25 e-filing fee. Add $80 where custody or parenting time is decided (MCL 600.2529(1)(d)(i)), or $40 for support only. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
Sources
- Michigan Legislature, MCL 600.8401 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature, MCL 600.8420 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Michigan Courts, SCAO Form DC 84 Information (checked October 11, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature, MCL 600.2529 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Michigan Legislature, MCL 600.5805 (checked October 11, 2026)
- State Bar of Michigan, Ethics Opinion RI-122 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)