In the Circuit Court of Webster County Missouri
Small Claims Division
THIS IS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU AND MAY NOT ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT SMALL CLAIMS.
CLAIM LIMIT: $5,000
You may only file 12 Small Claims cases in the State of Missouri per year. You may only sue for money in Small Claims Court, not possession of rental property or objects. A Small Claims Judgment cannot be a lien on real estate.
If you, the Plaintiff, are a corporation, the Plaintiff is the corporation and the petition must be signed by an officer of that corporation. If you are “doing business as”, you, an individual, are the Plaintiff, d/b/a whatever the company name.
If the Defendant is a Corporation (or you are not sure if it is or not), you must call the Corporate Division of the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office to get the name and address of the Registered Agent of that corporation. They can also tell you if the company is NOT a corporation. That phone number is: (573)751-4936.
Filing fees for Small Claims Cases: $38.50
In addition to Court Costs, you must deposit Service Fees. It is up to you, the Plaintiff, to contact the Sheriff’s Office (which varies according to the County in which the defendant lives or business is located) to find out their service fees. Again, this is a SEPARATE FEE, which needs to be paid in the form of a check, money order, or cashier’s check. CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED!
There is a booklet published by the MISSOURI BAR ASSOCIATION, “Small Claims Handbook” with more detailed information. This book is available to the public free of charge by sending a request to Missouri Bar, 326 Monroe Street, P.O. Box 119, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0119.
If Judgment is in your favor, it will consist of a dollar amount, plus Court Costs. It is solely up to you to collect your money. THE COURT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING THE MONEY THAT THE JUDGE HAS AWARDED YOU.
If you have any additional questions about Small Claims Court, please contact (417)859-2041, and ask for the Small Claims Division.