Nevada small claims limit, fees and rules
Nevada small claims cases are heard by the justice court of each township, including Las Vegas Justice Court, and are limited to money claims of $10,000 or less. A property damage claim is a money claim like any other, so the same $10,000 cap applies.[1][2]
| Rule | Nevada |
|---|---|
| Dollar limit | $10,000$10,000 or less for money-only claims in Justice Court small claims. |
| Court | Justice Court (small claims) |
| Filing fee | Set by each justice court (Las Vegas and other townships charge different amounts by claim size). |
| Lawyers | AllowedParties may represent themselves or hire a lawyer, but attorney's fees generally cannot be awarded in small claims (NRS 73.040); a business may appear through a director, officer or employee (NRS 73.012). |
| Appeal | Either party may appeal to the District Court (NRS 73.050; Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure), generally within 10 days after notice of entry of judgment; the appeal is on the record. |
| Also note | Property damage: there is no separate or higher limit for property-damage claims (car accidents, damaged belongings, deposit disputes). They are money-only claims capped at $10,000, and NRS 73.010(2) lets you file in the township where the injury to the person or property happened. A claim for more must go to regular justice court (up to $15,000) or district court. The $10,000 cap comes from a 2019 amendment (Stats. 2019, p. 52). |
Property damage claims in Nevada small claims
A fender bender, a neighbor’s tree on your fence, a broken item returned by a renter: each is filed as a claim for the repair cost or loss in value, up to $10,000. Venue is flexible for damage claims: besides the defendant’s township, you may file where the injury to the person or property occurred.
- Evidence: two written repair estimates, photos and the police or incident report are the usual proof of the amount.
- Attorney fees: parties may hire lawyers, but attorney fees generally cannot be awarded in small claims, so a lawyer’s cost is rarely recovered.
- Businesses: may appear through a director, officer or employee.
- Appeal: to the district court, on a short deadline after notice of entry of judgment; check the court’s instructions the day you receive the judgment.
If the damage came with an injury, the injury part is usually worth more than the small claims cap; estimate it with the car accident settlement calculator before filing, because a small claims judgment can bar suing again for the same accident.
Deadline to file in Nevada
Small claims cases have the same filing deadline as any lawsuit: once the statute of limitations runs, the court will dismiss the claim if the defendant raises it.[3][4][5]
| Claim | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid loan or written contract | 6 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b) |
| Oral agreement | 4 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2)(c) |
| Credit card or open account | 4 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2)(a)-(c) |
| Property damage (e.g. fender bender) | 3 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c) |
See the full Nevada statute of limitations list for other claims, compare the small claims limit by state if the defendant is elsewhere, and read how to file a claim in small claims court for the general steps. Whether to bring counsel is covered on the small claims attorney page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property damage limit in Nevada small claims court?
Where do I file a property damage claim in Nevada small claims?
Can I sue for more than $10,000 in Nevada small claims?
Sources
- Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 73.010, 73.012, 73.040: small claims jurisdiction and procedure
- Nevada small claims: official court self-help
- Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b): written contract limitation period
- Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(2)(c): oral contract limitation period
- Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c): property damage limitation period