45th District Court
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General Information
Staff Directory
Location
13600 Oak Park Blvd
Oak Park,
MI
48237
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Hours
Mondays through Fridays
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phones are answered until 4 p.m.

Civil Division

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Civil Division

The Civil Division handles:

  • General civil cases up to $25,000
  • Small claims up to $5,500
  • Landlord‑tenant disputes

Claims more than $25,000 must be filed in Circuit Court.

Representing yourself

You may represent yourself, but clerks cannot provide legal advice. Corporations and LLCs must have an attorney unless filing a small claims case.

You may need to retain a lawyer if:

  • You want legal advice.
  • You do not fully understand the papers you received from the other party or from the court. 
  • Your case is complicated.
  • You want to file an appeal of the decision in your case.
  • You want to sue someone, but you don't know the legal theory or basis for your claim.

Legal assistance

The Michigan Bar Association has information about legal assistance available at www.michbar.org/public_resources/home.

Information and assistance is also available from the Michigan Legal Help Program at www.michiganlegalhelp.org.

Court clerks can provide assistance and information regarding civil cases, but they are not attorneys and are prohibited from offering legal advice.

Landlord/tenant cases

Common dispute types include:

  • Non‑payment of rent
  • Holdover after lease expiration
  • Health or safety hazards
  • Land contract issues

  • Tenants who have applied for rental assistance, must file SCAO form DC 539 with the court. 

    Before filing, landlords must serve the tenant with one of the following:

  • Required documents include:

    • Summons
    • Correct complaint form
    • Proof of service
    • Lease or rental agreement
    • Filing fee

  • Attorneys must file using MiFile; self‑represented parties may file in person or by mail.

    Small claims cases

    Small claims cases:

    • Involve damages of $5,500 or less
    • Do not allow attorneys
    • Are heard by the magistrate
    • May be appealed to a judge

  • To file, complete SCAO Form DC84 and submit it with the filing fee.
     
    Who can file a small claims case?

    People may file a claim on behalf of themselves. An owner, partner, or full-time employee with personal knowledge of the facts leading to the dispute can file a claim on behalf of a business. This is the only exception to the requirement that a company must be represented by an attorney.
     

    Trial procedure for small claims

    On the date scheduled for trial, make sure you have all your supporting documentation and witnesses with you.

    If the defendant fails to appear, you may be entitled to a default judgment.

    If you do not appear at the time set for trial, the magistrate will dismiss your case.
    The magistrate will either make a decision at the end of the trial or mail you the decision when it has been made. If you disagree with the magistrate's decision, you can file an appeal within seven days. Your case will be re-tried before a judge. There is no appeal from a judge's decision.
     
     Collecting money from a small claims judgment

    If you successfully secure a judgment against the party you sued, it is your responsibility to collect on that judgment. Unless you agree to a payment schedule, the defendant has 21 days to pay the judgment. If the defendant fails to pay, you will need to take further action to collect it.