**Complaint for Money Damages

(Small Claim – District Court of Maryland)**

[// GUIDANCE: This template is designed for use in the District Court of Maryland “Small Claims” procedure (Maryland Rule 3-701), which applies ONLY to actions for money damages not exceeding $5,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees. Customize all bracketed items before filing.]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR [__] COUNTY
SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

Case No.: ____

Plaintiff:
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [__]

v.

Defendant:
[DEFENDANT NAME],
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [__]

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Complaint, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Any capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have its plain-language meaning.

1. “Action” means this civil proceeding commenced in the District Court of Maryland under the Small Claims procedures.
2. “Claim” means the Plaintiff’s demand for monetary damages not exceeding the Small Claims Limit, as defined below.
3. “Small Claims Limit” means $5,000 exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees, pursuant to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405(a).
4. “Costs” means any court filing fees, service of process fees, and any other recoverable litigation expenses authorized by statute or rule.
5. “Interest” means prejudgment and post-judgment interest calculated in accordance with Maryland law.

III. JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND GOVERNING LAW

1. Jurisdiction. This Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over this Action under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405(a) because the amount in controversy does not exceed the Small Claims Limit and the relief sought is solely monetary.
2. Venue. Venue is proper in this County under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 6-201 et seq. because:
   a. The Defendant resides or has its principal place of business in this County; and/or
   b. The cause of action arose in this County.
3. Governing Law. This Action is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, including the Maryland Rules, Title 3 (District Court—Civil Procedure), and specifically Rule 3-701 (Small Claims).

IV. STATEMENT OF CLAIM

1. Contract / Tort / Other Theory.
   [STATE the legal basis of the Claim—e.g., “This Action arises out of a breach of contract,” “negligence,” “money had and received,” etc.]
2. Facts Giving Rise to the Claim.
   a. On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant [describe transaction or event].
   b. Defendant was obligated to [describe duty] but failed to do so.
   c. As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff suffered monetary damages in the amount of $[______].
3. Compliance With Small Claims Requirements.
   a. The relief sought is exclusively monetary.
   b. The amount sought does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of Interest and Costs.
   c. No injunctive, declaratory, or equitable relief is requested.

V. DAMAGES SOUGHT

Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant as follows:

1. Principal Damages:       $[__]
2. Pre-Judgment Interest (from [DATE] to judgment):   $[__]
3. Court Costs (to be taxed):        $[__]
4. Post-Judgment Interest at the legal rate until satisfied.

TOTAL (excluding post-judgment interest):   $[__]

[// GUIDANCE: If seeking attorneys’ fees, confirm a contractual or statutory basis and that the combined total still does not exceed $5,000 exclusive of Interest and Costs.]

VI. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Honorable Court:

A. Enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant in the total amount of $[__], plus post-judgment interest and Costs; and
B. Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

VII. NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS

Pursuant to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 12-401, any party aggrieved by the final judgment in this Action may file an appeal to the Circuit Court for this County within 30 days after entry of judgment. The appeal will be heard de novo.

[// GUIDANCE: While not required in a pleading, including appeal information educates the client and may preempt later disputes.]

VIII. VERIFICATION

I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], being first duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Plaintiff in the above-captioned matter; that I have read the foregoing Complaint; and that the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

[PLAINTIFF NAME]

Date: _____

[Notary block if desired or required by local practice]

IX. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on this _ day of __, 20__, a copy of the foregoing Complaint, together with the required Summons and Notice of Intention to Defend, was served upon the Defendant by:

☐ Certified Mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, to the address stated above; OR
☐ Private process server; OR
☐ Sheriff of [__] County.

[NAME]
[CAPACITY: Plaintiff / Counsel for Plaintiff]
[Address]
[Telephone]
[Email]

X. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

[PLAINTIFF NAME]
Pro se Plaintiff
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [_]
Email: [_]

— OR —

[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. _)
Attorney for Plaintiff
[Firm Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [_]
Email: [_]

END OF DOCUMENT