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Small claims in Benton County covers money disputes up to $5,000 and runs on simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
What follows covers the maximum you can claim in Benton County, court fees, the right courthouse, serving the defendant, the deadlines that apply, and the filing process itself. Squabble handles the documents and the filing if you want that.
Benton 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.
Confirm the courthouse before you file. The court's own small-claims page carries its current filing location and hours, and Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
Benton County covers 4 ZIP codes, including the Cole Camp, Edwards and Lincoln areas. The nearest counties to Benton County are Hickory County and Morgan County.
This court takes small-claims filings on paper, in person or by mail. Squabble prepares everything so your packet arrives filing-ready.
Small claims are heard at the courthouse, in person.
Have copies of your evidence for the bench and for the other party. Some courts take documents electronically before the hearing as well.
Residents of Benton County, Missouri can bring small claims cases through the Missouri Small Claims Court, which hears disputes up to $5,000. Cases for the county are handled at the Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit, located in Warsaw at 316 Van Buren Road P.O. Box 37, 65355. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 4:30 PM, and is closed Saturday and Sunday. The court can be reached at (660) 438-7712, and county information is posted at http://www.bentoncomo.com/. The county has a population of 20,614 and includes the communities of Cole Camp, Edwards, Lincoln, and Warsaw, along with the ZIP codes 65325, 65326, 65338, and 65355. Benton County lies near Hickory County, Morgan County, and Henry County. Electronic filing is not available for small claims cases in this county, so filings are handled at the courthouse during its posted hours.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 4 communities:
Cole Camp, Edwards, Lincoln, Warsaw.
ZIP codes:
Benton County has a population of roughly 20,614.
Small claims handles money owed between ordinary people and businesses. Procedure is kept light, and claims are capped.
Maximum claim
Filing is generally possible in the county of the events or the county of the defendant.
A single argument stays a single case; it cannot be carved up to fit the limit.
The remedy here is money. Orders telling someone to do or stop something sit with higher courts.
Missouri allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
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.
Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit is the courthouse listed for Benton County. Benton County is under the same limits as nearby Hickory County and Morgan County.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $5,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit is the Benton County courthouse listed below. Benton County has about 20,614 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Set out the claim on the court's form, identify the correct courthouse, and pay the fee.
Service puts the papers in the defendant's hands and starts their time to answer or settle.
The hearing itself is short and informal. Some courts allow video. The ruling comes then or later in writing.
Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page. Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit lists (660) 428-2900 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. The usual route in Missouri is certified mail, the sheriff or constable, delivery arranged by the court or email service where the court allows it.
Who may serve depends on the court: law enforcement, a paid process server, the clerk by certified mail, or a disinterested adult. Costs and rules are local.
Every court fixes a minimum number of days between service and the hearing. The clerk will tell you what it is for your case.
Whoever serves the papers completes a proof of service, which is filed with the court 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.
Addresses in Benton County include places such as Cole Camp, Edwards and Lincoln. A Benton County address carries one of its 4 ZIP codes, 65325, 65326 and 65338 among them.
Claims do not stay open indefinitely. Time runs from the events themselves, and a filing made afterwards may be shut out.
| Claim type | Deadline to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years |
| Oral contract | 5 years |
| Property damage | 5 years |
| Personal injury | 5 years |
The same periods apply in Benton County as in nearby Hickory County and Morgan County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Benton County ZIP code to another, 65325 included.
Money owed under a contract in Missouri generally accrues interest at 9% per year before judgment (Mo. Rev. Stat. §408.020).
The Squabble interest calculator shows what the accrued figure comes to on top of the principal.
It is the same rate across all 4 Benton County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Benton County, population about 20,614.
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 Benton County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $25–$50 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Service comes after the date is set. File the server's proof once the papers have been delivered.
Sort the documents and exhibits in advance so they can be handed up in order.
Turn up on the day, in person or remotely where offered, present what happened, and take the decision.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →A claim form opens the case, a proof of service records that notice was given, and a fee waiver applies where you qualify. Titles differ between courts, and Squabble uses the ones your courthouse expects.
Benton County takes in filings from 4 ZIP codes, 65325 first in the list. Benton County papers go to Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit in Warsaw.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
Hearings in Benton County cases are listed at Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit in Warsaw. Cole Camp, Edwards and Lincoln are among the Benton County places a hearing can draw parties from.
The ruling establishes the debt. Recovery is a further step, supported by enforcement measures that are set by each state.
Where state law allows it, a portion of the debtor's earnings can be redirected to pay what the court ordered.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Filing the judgment with the county can attach a lien to land or buildings 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.
Cole Camp, Edwards and Lincoln are among the Benton County places a judgment debtor may live in. The judgment in a Benton County case comes from Benton County Courthouse 27th Judicial Circuit in Warsaw.
Information reviewed August 2026. Courts change fees, limits and procedures, so check the current details 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 Benton County case for you.
