General Civil

General Civil cases are lawsuits between two or more parties seeking resolution of disputes involving amounts of $25,000 or less. These damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, financial or other losses.

Persons (An individual has or both 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 collection of judgments. Collection remedies include periodic and non-perodic 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 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 made out to the 45th District Court and may be mailed in or turned in at the civil window at the court. Credit card payments must be made at the court house.
• 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 papers to an appointed court officer, a separate service fee is required and must be in the form of a check or money order. Cash will not be accepted.

General Civil - Forms click here

General Civil - Filing Fees- Please call for specific rates.