Washoe County Small Claims Court

What you can sue for in Washoe County

Small claims court in Nevada is built for money disputes, not for forcing someone to do something. Typical Washoe County cases involve an unpaid loan between individuals, a contractor who took a deposit and never finished, a landlord withholding a security deposit, a retail purchase or repair that failed, a fender bender within the state limit, or wages owed for work performed.

Nevada small claims court is a division of the Justice Court and handles civil disputes where the amount claimed does not exceed $10,000. The court provides a simplified and affordable process for resolving monetary disputes. Nevada is distinctive in allowing attorneys to participate at the presiding judge's discretion, unlike many other states that prohibit attorney representation entirely. Filing fees in Nevada are tiered: $66 for claims under $1,000, $86 for claims of $1,001–$2,500, $106 for claims of $2,501–$5,000, $146 for claims of $5,001–$7,500, and $196 for claims of $7,501–$10,000. These fees are recoverable as court costs if you win your case. Nevada has transitioned away from certified mail service, so private process service or sheriff service is typically required. This means serving the defendant may cost more than in states that allow certified mail. The court can award monetary judgments, including filing fees and court costs, which are recoverable from the losing party. Nevada small claims court is commonly used for collecting unpaid debts, recovering security deposits, seeking compensation for property damage, and resolving breach of contract matters. To file, you must submit an affidavit and claim form to the Justice Court serving the area where the defendant lives or where the dispute occurred. The hearing is usually scheduled within 30 to 60 days.

Claims above the $10,000 limit do not disappear: plaintiffs often waive the excess to keep the case in small claims, where filing is cheaper and hearings are informal. You cannot split one dispute into several small claims filings to get around the cap. For a side-by-side view of every state, see our small claims limits by state.

After you win: turning a judgment into money

A judgment from Reno Justice Court does not make the defendant pay. Most people who collect in Washoe County do it through a wage garnishment, a bank levy, or a lien recorded against property, and each of those tools needs the debtor's employer, bank, or address on the paperwork. A demand letter sent before you file, or a skip trace after you win, is often what makes collection possible.