The small claims limit in Billings is $7,000. Filing fees are $30 to $65. Enter your claim amount below to check eligibility and see how to file.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Enter your claim amount to see if it qualifies for small claims court in Billings.
Small claims court in Billings handles disputes up to $7,000. Attorneys are generally NOT allowed in Montana small claims court unless both parties agree, which keeps the process simple. The same $7,000 limit applies to individuals and businesses. Cases are filed at the Yellowstone County Justice Court (Small Claims).
| Detail | Billings Small Claims |
|---|---|
| Maximum Claim | $7,000 |
| Filing Fee Range | $30 to $65 |
| Attorneys Allowed? | No - unless both parties agree |
| Where to File | Yellowstone County Justice Court (Small Claims) |
| Typical Hearing Time | 30 to 90 days after filing |
| Business Claim Limit | $7,000 |
Billings is the largest city in Montana and the commercial and healthcare hub of the region, with an economy built on energy and oil refining, agriculture, two major regional medical centers, and its role as a trade center for the northern Rockies and high plains.
| Local Metric | Billings (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 120,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Yellowstone County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $10.55/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,050/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Median home price | $380,000 |
| Median household income | $65,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The maximum claim in Billings is $7,000, set by Montana law. The same $7,000 limit applies to individuals and businesses. Larger disputes must be filed in a higher court.
Attorneys are generally NOT allowed in Montana small claims court unless both parties agree, which keeps the process simple.
File at the Yellowstone County Justice Court (Small Claims), generally in the county where the defendant lives or does business or where the dispute happened. Filing fees are typically $30 to $65 depending on the claim amount.
Filing fees in Billings run about $30 to $65, and fee waivers are available for low-income filers. You may also have small costs to serve the defendant by certified mail or through the constable or sheriff.
Most small claims hearings in Billings are scheduled within roughly 30 to 90 days of filing. Bring all contracts, receipts, photos, and any witnesses to the hearing.