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The small-claims court in McLean County handles money disputes up to $15,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Here you will find the claim limit that applies in McLean County, what filing costs, where the case is heard, how the defendant is served, the deadlines, and the order of steps. Squabble can take the preparation and filing off your hands.
McLean 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.
Small claims filings from McLean County are handled at McLean County Court House in Washburn. McLean County covers 13 ZIP codes, including the Benedict, Butte and Coleharbor areas.
This court takes small-claims filings on paper, in person or by mail. Squabble prepares everything so your packet arrives filing-ready.
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 McLean County, North Dakota, a county of 9,845 people, can bring small claims cases through the North Dakota Small Claims Court, which handles claims of up to $15000. Cases are filed at the McLean County Court House in Washburn, located at 712 5th Ave, 58577, and the court can be reached at (701) 462-8541 or online at https://www.mcleancountynd.gov/. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Electronic filing is not available, so filings are handled at the courthouse itself. The county covers communities including Garrison, Turtle Lake, Underwood, Wilton, Max, Mercer, Riverdale, Benedict, Butte, Coleharbor, Roseglen, and Ruso, along with ZIP codes such as 58531, 58540, 58565, 58575, 58576, and 58579. McLean County lies near Mercer County, Oliver County, and Sheridan County. The court accepts and processes small claims filings, schedules hearings, and maintains the case records for matters brought within the county.
These 13 places sit inside McLean County:
Benedict, Butte, Coleharbor, Garrison, Max, Mercer, Riverdale, Roseglen, Ruso, Turtle Lake, Underwood, Washburn, Wilton.
ZIP codes:
McLean County is the 15th most populous of North Dakota's 53 counties, with about 9,845 residents.
Small claims is the court's track for everyday money disputes: simplified rules, and limits on how much you can sue for.
Maximum claim
Filing is generally possible in the county of the events or the county of the defendant.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
The court decides who pays whom and how much. Anything beyond money goes to a higher court.
North Dakota allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
Minors take part through a guardian appointed by the court.
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.
McLean County is under the same limits as nearby Mercer County and Oliver County. They are the same across all 13 McLean County ZIP codes, from 58531 onward.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $15,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
McLean County has about 9,845 residents. McLean County takes in Benedict, Butte and Coleharbor and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Prepare the claim form, work out which court covers it, and pay the court's charge.
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.
McLean County Court House publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page. This is the route a McLean County case takes, whether it starts in 58531 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes.
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. North Dakota courts usually take delivery by the sheriff or constable, email service where the court allows it, delivery arranged by the court or certified mail.
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.
Every court fixes a minimum number of days between service and the hearing. The clerk will tell you what it is for your case. Service must be completed at least 3 days before hearing.
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 McLean County include places such as Benedict, Butte and Coleharbor. A McLean County address carries one of its 13 ZIP codes, 58531, 58540 and 58559 among them.
Filing is only possible for a set time after the events. Beyond it, the other side can have the claim thrown out.
| Type of claim | How long you have |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 6 years |
| Personal injury | 6 years |
The same periods apply in McLean County as in nearby Mercer County and Oliver County, which are in the same state. McLean County, population about 9,845, is covered by the table above.
Money owed under a contract in North Dakota generally accrues interest at 6% per year before judgment (N.D. Cent. Code §47-14-05).
A running total including interest can be worked out with the Squabble interest calculator.
It is the same rate across all 13 McLean County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for McLean County, population about 9,845.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Identify the party precisely, lay out what occurred, and show the arithmetic behind the total.
File with the McLean County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $20–$40 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.
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.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
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.
Benedict, Butte and Coleharbor are among the places in McLean County that filings come from. McLean County has a population of about 9,845.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
McLean County Court House sits at the 58577 address shown above. Benedict, Butte and Coleharbor are among the McLean County places a hearing can draw parties from.
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.
Funds can be collected directly from the debtor's bank account through a court-ordered levy.
Registering the judgment at county level can fix a lien on real estate the debtor holds.
There is also an examination procedure: the debtor is ordered to attend and give sworn answers about earnings and assets. Interest normally accrues at the statutory rate until payment.
Mercer County and Oliver County are the counties nearest to McLean County. The judgment in a McLean County case comes from McLean County Court House in Washburn.
Last checked in August 2026. Court fees, limits and procedures move; verify them with the court first.
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 McLean County case for you.
