General Civil

General Civil cases are lawsuits between two or more parties seeking resolution of disputes involving amounts of $25,000 or less.

The parties have the following rights:

• the right to a jury trial
• the right to be represented by an attorney, though the court does not appoint an attorney for civil matters
• the right to an appeal beyond the district court

CORPORATIONS MUST BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY.

The prevailing parties are responsible for the collection of judgments. Collection remedies include periodic and non-periodic garnishments, state income tax refund garnishment, execution against property and creditors exam.

When filing a General Civil lawsuit in the 45th District Court:

• Be sure the venue is proper. The venue of the 45th District Court is Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and the Charter Township of Royal Oak. Venue cannot be established with a post office box. The summons must contain a physical address.
• Submit your summons and complaint for filing.
• Pay the filing fee (cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover). Checks or money orders should be payable to the 45th District Court and may be mailed or turned in at the civil window at the court. Credit card payments must be made in person at the cahier's window.
• Decide how the defendant is to be served (appointed court officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, certified mail or a legally competent adult who is not a party to the action). If you would like the court to forward your documents to an appointed court officer, a separate service fee is required. Please contact them regarding the cost prior to filing your lawsuit with the court. Do not remit your court officer fee to the court. If you are mailing in your filing, please indicated which curt officer you have selected, however, you must pay them directly.
• Our court officers are:
  • Attorney's Aides: 586-751-2622
  • Rancilio & Associates: 586-792-3810

General Civil - Forms click here or visit www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/General-Civil-forms/.

General Civil - Filing Fees

• $1.00-$600.00                       $35.00
• $601.00-$1,750.00                $55.00
• $1,751.00-10,000.00             $75.00
• $10,001.00-$25,000.00         $160.00

If you have questions, please contact the civil department at 248-691-7440, prompt #2.