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The small-claims court in Livingston County handles money disputes up to $7,000, with simplified procedures, and no attorneys at the hearing.
This page sets out the ceiling on claims, what the court charges, the courthouse that covers Livingston County, how notice reaches the other party, the time limits, and the filing steps. Squabble can prepare and lodge the paperwork when you decide to go ahead.
One courthouse takes small claims for Livingston County, shown below. The court checks the location against the defendant's address and the place of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Check the filing location first. The court's small-claims page lists where papers are taken today, and Squabble confirms it for your case as part of filing.
The nearest counties to Livingston County are Ingham County and Washtenaw County. Small claims filings from Livingston County are handled at Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) in Howell.
Filings here are on paper, brought to the counter or posted. Squabble assembles the packet so it is complete when it arrives.
Small claims hearings are held in person at the courthouse.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Residents of Livingston County, Michigan, a county of 196,976 people, can bring small claims cases through the Michigan Small Claims Court, which handles disputes up to $7,000. Cases from communities across the county, including Brighton, Fowlerville, Hartland, Howell, and Pinckney, as well as ZIP codes such as 48114, 48116, 48843, and 48855, fall within the county's jurisdiction. The Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) is located in Howell at 200 E Grand River Ave, 48843, and can be reached at (517) 546-0500. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday. Additional information is posted at https://milivcounty.gov/rod/courthouse-tours/. Electronic filing is not available in this county, so filings are handled at the courthouse. Livingston County lies near Ingham County, Washtenaw County, and Shiawassee County, and matters arising in those nearby counties are handled by their own courts rather than by the court in Howell.
These 9 places sit inside Livingston County:
Brighton, Cohoctah, Fowlerville, Gregory, Hamburg, Hartland, Howell, Lakeland, Pinckney.
ZIP codes:
Livingston County holds about 196,976 people, 10th of the 83 counties in Michigan. Livingston County Courthouse (Historic), in Howell, is about 13 miles from the Ingham County courthouse in Mason and 14 miles from the Washtenaw County courthouse in Ann Arbor.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
Small claims handles money owed between ordinary people and businesses. Procedure is kept light, no attorneys at the hearing, and claims are capped.
Maximum claim
Either the place the dispute arose or the place the other party lives will usually work.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
Judgments take the form of money owed; other kinds of relief are heard elsewhere.
The hearing proceeds with neither side represented. Legal advice before or after the hearing is unaffected.
A claim involving a minor is brought by a court-appointed guardian.
Over the limit? Claims over the cap can go two ways: cut to the limit and stay, or move to regular civil court at full value. Cutting it normally waives the excess.
These are the limits for Livingston County, population about 196,976. Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) is the courthouse listed for Livingston County.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $7,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) is the Livingston County courthouse listed below. Livingston County has about 196,976 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.
The other side is formally served and has the chance to respond, or to settle before the hearing.
The hearing itself is short and informal. Some courts allow video. The ruling comes then or later in writing.
Everything below applies to a case filed in Livingston County, at the Howell courthouse. Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) lists (517) 546-0500 as its number.
Filing is only half of it. The defendant has to receive formal notice, a step called service of process, and in most cases you cannot hand over the papers yourself. In Michigan, courts typically use delivery arranged by the court, email service where the court allows it, personal delivery by an approved server or the sheriff or constable.
A sheriff, a constable, a professional server, the court clerk using certified mail, or an uninvolved adult can all serve papers, depending on local rules. Fees and permitted methods vary.
There is a deadline, counted backwards from the hearing, by which the defendant must have the papers. Ask the clerk for it when the date is assigned.
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.
Ingham County and Washtenaw County are the counties nearest to Livingston County. Addresses in Livingston County include places such as Brighton, Cohoctah and Fowlerville.
A claim has to be filed inside a set period that starts when the dispute arose. After that point the court may decline to hear it.
| Claim type | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
Livingston County, population about 196,976, is covered by the table above. The same periods apply in Livingston County as in nearby Ingham County and Washtenaw County, which are in the same state.
In Michigan, prejudgment interest follows a statutory formula rather than a fixed rate (Mich. Comp. Laws §600.6013).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
Livingston County is under the same state rate as nearby Ingham County and Washtenaw County. The rate above is the one for Livingston County, population about 196,976.
Two checks first: the amount must fall within the ceiling, and the claim must still be in time.
State the party's full legal name, explain the events, and set out the calculation.
File with the Livingston County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $30–$70 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
After the hearing date is issued, arrange delivery of the papers and file the proof with the court.
Put the evidence in order, with exhibits marked, so the account is easy to follow.
Turn up on the day, in person or remotely where offered, present what happened, and take the decision.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares the documents, runs a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your case for you.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
Livingston County has a population of about 196,976. Livingston County papers go to Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) in Howell.
Hearings run short and plainly. Lawyers do not appear, and questions come from the judge.
Brighton, Cohoctah and Fowlerville are among the Livingston County places a hearing can draw parties from. Hearings in Livingston County cases are listed at Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) in Howell.
The decision settles who owes what. Turning it into money is a separate stage, and the tools the court makes available differ by state.
Some states permit part of the debtor's wages to be diverted to the judgment until it is cleared.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Lodging the judgment with the county can create a lien over property the debtor owns.
You may also apply for an order compelling the debtor to attend and disclose income and assets on oath. Interest generally continues at the rate the state sets until the debt is met.
The judgment in a Livingston County case comes from Livingston County Courthouse (Historic) in Howell. Brighton, Cohoctah and Fowlerville are among the Livingston County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Last reviewed August 2026. Court fees, limits, and procedures change. Verify current details with the court 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 Livingston County case for you.
