Small Claims Court Dollar Limits in Kansas
At a glance
| Governing law | Kansas Small Claims Procedure Act, K.S.A. 61-2701 to 61-2714 |
|---|---|
| Dollar limit | $10,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and damages under K.S.A. 60-2610 (K.S.A. 61-2703(a)) |
| Limit for businesses/entities | Same $10,000 limit as an individual: the Act's "person" definition already includes partnerships, LLCs, and corporations (K.S.A. 61-2703(b)) |
| Court name and where to file | No separate small claims court: filed as a small claim within the District Court under the Small Claims Procedure Act |
| Can you bring a lawyer? | Barred before judgment for either party (K.S.A. 61-2707(a)), except that if one side uses a non-attorney representative who is or was a licensed attorney, or an attorney represents themself, the other side gains the right to hire counsel (K.S.A. 61-2714) |
| Limit on how many claims you can file | 20 small claims per person in the same court per calendar year, regardless of dollar amount (K.S.A. 61-2704(b)) |
| Can you appeal? | Either party may appeal within 14 days of judgment; tried de novo (a full new trial) before a different district judge; judgment enforcement is automatically stayed during the appeal, and a successful appellee must be awarded attorney fees (K.S.A. 61-2709) |
| What you can sue for | Money or personal property (including replevin actions); no discovery, depositions, or pre-judgment attachment/garnishment are allowed (K.S.A. 61-2703(a), 61-2707(a)) |
Requirements one by one
Dollar limit
K.S.A. 61-2703(a) defines a small claim as one for money or personal property whose amount or value “does not exceed $10,000,” exclusive of interest, costs, and damages awarded under K.S.A. 60-2610. Subsection (b) defines “person” to include individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, fiduciaries, joint ventures, and other associations.
Can you bring a lawyer?
K.S.A. 61-2707(a) says that, subject to K.S.A. 61-2714, “no party” may be represented by an attorney before judgment. A party may instead appear through a full-time employee, officer, or another representative who is not an attorney. Section 61-2714 creates the exception: if a party uses a current or former attorney as a representative, or an attorney represents themself, every other party is entitled to have counsel appear.
Can you appeal?
K.S.A. 61-2709(a) permits an appeal from any judgment within 14 days after entry. The appeal is tried de novo before a different district judge. Enforcement is stayed during the appeal without a supersedeas bond, and a successful appellee must receive reasonable attorney fees incurred on appeal.
What you can sue for
Section 61-2703(a) covers recovery of money or personal property, including replevin, but excludes assigned claims, specified claims owed to someone other than the filer, and claims obtained through subrogation. Section 61-2707(a) allows no discovery or depositions and no prejudgment attachment or garnishment.
What trips people up
The attorney exception is reciprocal. A party cannot quietly gain an advantage by using a current or former attorney as its nominal representative: K.S.A. 61-2714 gives every other party the right to retain counsel once that occurs.
The filing cap is court-specific. K.S.A. 61-2704(b) bars a person from filing more than 20 small claims “in the same court” during a calendar year.
Common questions
Which claims are excluded even if they are under the ceiling?
K.S.A. 61-2703(a) excludes assigned claims, certain obligations allegedly owed to someone other than the filer, and claims obtained through subrogation.
Is formal discovery available?
No. K.S.A. 61-2707(a) bars discovery methods, proceedings, and depositions in actions under the Act.
Does an appeal require a bond to stay enforcement?
No. K.S.A. 61-2709(a) automatically stays enforcement during the appeal period and any appeal without requiring a supersedeas bond.
Statutes and sources
- K.S.A. 61-2703(a)-(b) — covered and excluded claims, ceiling, and the entity-inclusive definition of “person.” Official text (accessed 2026-08-17).
- K.S.A. 61-2704(b) — 20-claim annual cap in the same court. Official text (accessed 2026-08-17).
- K.S.A. 61-2707(a) — representation bar and simplified procedure. Official text (accessed 2026-08-17).
- K.S.A. 61-2709(a) — appeal, stay, and appellee attorney fees. Official text (accessed 2026-08-17).
- K.S.A. 61-2714(a) — reciprocal right to counsel when a current or former attorney appears as a representative. Official text (accessed 2026-08-17).
Source links
Every statute quoted above, linked, with the date we checked it.
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