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Small claims in Clinton County covers money disputes up to $10,000 and runs on simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Below is what you need for a small claims case in Clinton County: the limit, filing fees, which courthouse to use, how to serve the other side, your deadlines, and how to file. When you're ready, Squabble prepares everything and files it for you.
Clinton County hears small claims at the courthouse listed here, with the venue confirmed at filing from the defendant's address or the location of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Locations change. The court publishes its current small-claims address on its own page; Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
Clinton County covers 12 ZIP codes, including the Albers, Aviston and Bartelso areas. Small claims filings from Clinton County are handled at District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse in Carlyle.
You can open a small claims case here online, without travelling to the courthouse to hand the papers in.
Small claims are heard at the courthouse, in person.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Residents of Clinton County, Illinois, a county of 37,087 people, can bring small claims cases through the Illinois Small Claims Court, which handles claims up to $10,000. Cases are heard at the District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse, located at 850 Fairfax Street in Carlyle, 62231. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. It can be reached at (618) 594-6600, and further information is posted at https://clintonco.illinois.gov/county-offices/county-clerk/. The court serves communities across the county, including Albers, Aviston, Bartelso, Beckemeyer, Breese, Germantown, Hoffman, Huey, New Baden, New Memphis, and Trenton, covering ZIP codes such as 62215, 62218, 62230, 62245, and 62293. Clinton County lies near Washington County, Bond County, and Marion County. Electronic filing is available for cases in this county, in addition to filings made at the courthouse during its posted hours of operation.
Clinton County covers these 12 towns and cities:
Albers, Aviston, Bartelso, Beckemeyer, Breese, Carlyle, Germantown, Hoffman, Huey, New Baden, New Memphis, Trenton.
ZIP codes:
With about 37,087 residents, Clinton County ranks 35th by population among the 102 counties of Illinois. District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse sits about 11 miles from the Marion County courthouse in Salem.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
This is the part of the court built for ordinary money arguments. The procedure is stripped back, and there is a ceiling on the amount at stake.
Maximum claim
You can generally file where the dispute happened or where the other party lives.
A single argument stays a single case; it cannot be carved up to fit the limit.
The court decides who pays whom and how much. Anything beyond money goes to a higher court.
An attorney may appear at the hearing in Illinois, though nobody has to have one. The process assumes you will speak for yourself.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
Over the limit? Either bring the figure down to the maximum and remain in small claims, or file the whole amount in the regular civil court. The amount given up is usually gone for good.
Clinton County is under the same limits as nearby Washington County and Bond County. District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse is the courthouse listed for Clinton County.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $10,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse is the Clinton County courthouse listed below. Clinton County has about 37,087 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Fill in the claim, pick the courthouse that covers the dispute, and pay what the court charges.
Papers are delivered to the defendant, who may answer them or settle the matter first.
A short hearing, held in the courtroom or remotely where that is offered. A decision follows on the day or shortly afterwards.
District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse lists (618) 594-6600 as its number. District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
The defendant must be given formal notice after filing. This is service of process, and as a rule you are not permitted to serve the papers yourself. In Illinois, courts typically use personal delivery by an approved server, email service where the court allows it, delivery arranged by the court, the sheriff or constable or certified mail.
The options usually include a sheriff or constable, a licensed process server, certified mail sent by the clerk, or any adult with no stake in the case. What is allowed, and what it costs, differs from county to county.
Each court sets how far before the hearing the defendant must be served. The clerk confirms your deadline when the hearing date is set. Certified mail requires green return receipt and signature card, must be completed by plaintiff directly.
After delivery, the server fills out a proof of service, and that goes on the court file before the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Washington County and Bond County are the counties nearest to Clinton County. Addresses in Clinton County include places such as Albers, Aviston and Bartelso.
The right to bring a claim expires. The period is measured from the moment the dispute arose, and once it has run the court can refuse the case.
| Type of claim | How long you have |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years |
| Oral contract | 5 years |
| Property damage | 5 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
The same periods apply in Clinton County as in nearby Washington County and Bond County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Clinton County ZIP code to another, 62215 included.
Money owed under a contract in Illinois generally accrues interest at 5% per year before judgment (815 ILCS 205/2).
Interest can be calculated before filing using the Squabble interest calculator.
Clinton County is under the same state rate as nearby Washington County and Bond County. The rate above is the one for Clinton County, population about 37,087.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Use the other side's correct legal name, describe the dispute, and show how the money adds up.
File with the Clinton County small-claims court, or e-file, and pay the $40–$200 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Arrange service once your hearing date is set and file the proof of service with the court.
Gather the paperwork and label your exhibits so each point can be shown quickly.
Come to the hearing in person or remotely where permitted, present the facts, and get the ruling.
Describe the dispute to Eleanor. Squabble drafts the paperwork, puts it through a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and lodges it with the court.
Start for FREE →Three documents recur: the claim form that begins it, the proof of service confirming delivery, and a fee waiver if eligible. Names vary locally; Squabble selects the correct versions.
Albers, Aviston and Bartelso are among the places in Clinton County that filings come from. Clinton County papers go to District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse in Carlyle.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Albers, Aviston and Bartelso are among the Clinton County places a hearing can draw parties from. District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse sits at the 62231 address shown above.
The decision settles who owes what. Turning it into money is a separate stage, and the tools the court makes available differ by state.
Where the law allows, an employer can be directed to send part of the debtor's pay to the court.
A court-ordered levy allows funds to be taken from the debtor's bank account.
Recording the judgment with the county can place a lien on the debtor's real property.
The court can additionally require the debtor to appear and answer under oath about what they earn and own. An unsatisfied judgment usually carries statutory interest until it is paid.
The judgment in a Clinton County case comes from District: 5 | Circuit: 4th Clinton County Courthouse in Carlyle. Washington County and Bond County are the counties nearest to Clinton County.
Checked August 2026. Because courts revise fees, limits and procedures, confirm the current position before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Clinton County case for you.
