Nevada small claims court operates as a division of the Justice Court in each township, handling money-only disputes up to $10,000 under NRS 73.010 — a limit that has remained unchanged since 2015. The court is deliberately informal: no formal pleading beyond a sworn Affidavit and Order is required, and Las Vegas Justice Court alone is one of the highest-volume small claims venues in the entire country.
Nevada’s most striking feature for anyone planning to collect a judgment is its extraordinarily protective wage garnishment exemption: under NRS 21.090(1)(g), a debtor keeps 82% of disposable wages — meaning only 18% at most can be garnished, dramatically less than the 25% ceiling used as a baseline in most other states covered in this guide series. Nevada also has one of the shortest appeal windows in the country, at just 5 judicial days — a deadline so tight that official court guidance advises calendaring it the moment judgment is entered. And in a detail few plaintiffs anticipate, Nevada explicitly bars assigned claims — meaning a debt buyer or collection agency that purchased your debt from the original creditor cannot pursue you in small claims court at all, joining a small group of consumer-protective states covered elsewhere in this guide series. This guide covers the complete Nevada Justice Court small claims process — filing, the mandatory-in-practice demand letter, the tight appeal window, and the specific collection tools available once you have a judgment.
Nevada Small Claims — Fast Facts (2026)
- Claim Limit
- Up to $10,000 (voluntary reduction allowed)
- Court Name
- Small Claims Division of Justice Court
- Filing Fee
- $46 – $76 (Clark County example)
- Wage Garnishment
- 82% of wages protected — only 18% max garnishable
- Assigned Claims (Debt Buyers)
- Excluded from small claims jurisdiction
- Statute of Limitations
- 6 years (written) / 4 years (oral)
- Appeal Window
- 5 judicial days — one of the shortest in the US
- Attorney Fees on Appeal
- Capped at $15 — NRS 73.050
- Post-Judgment Interest
- Prime + 2%, reset semi-annually (~10.5% in 2026)
- Homestead Exemption
- $605,000 — among highest in the US
What Makes Nevada Small Claims Different
1. One of the Most Protective Wage Garnishment Exemptions in the Country
Under NRS 21.090(1)(g), a Nevada debtor keeps the greater of 82% of disposable wages or 50 times the federal minimum wage — meaning a judgment creditor can typically reach no more than 18% of a debtor’s paycheck. Compare this to the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act’s standard 25% ceiling used as a baseline in most states in this guide series: Nevada protects meaningfully more of a debtor’s income than the common national floor. If your entire collection strategy assumes you can garnish a quarter of the defendant’s wages, recalculate your expectations for Nevada specifically — the real number is considerably smaller.
2. A 5-Judicial-Day Appeal Window — Among the Shortest in the Country
Either party has just 5 judicial days from the entry of judgment to file a Notice of Appeal to District Court under NRS 73.090 — a count that specifically excludes the hearing date itself, weekends, and holidays. Official Justice Court guidance is blunt about the stakes: “it may be expensive to appeal a small claim decision,” and the window is tight enough that calendaring the deadline the moment judgment is entered is essential, not optional. Practically, treat any adverse decision as requiring an immediate same-day evaluation of whether to appeal — waiting even a few days to think it over risks missing the window entirely.
3. The Appeal Is Not a Genuine Fresh Trial — Despite Sometimes Being Called “De Novo”
Some legal resources describe the Nevada small claims appeal as a trial de novo. Official Justice Court guidance tells a more precise story: “you will not be allowed to present any new evidence in the higher court. You are limited to a review of what you presented at the first hearing. To win an appeal, you must show that the Judge made an error and not just that you didn’t like his/her decision.” In practice, this means your original small claims hearing is far more consequential than the word “de novo” might suggest — arrive prepared as though this is genuinely your only opportunity to build the record, because on appeal, you largely are.
4. Assigned Claims — Debt Buyers and Collection Agencies — Are Excluded Entirely
Nevada small claims court does not hear assigned claims — a claim that has been transferred or sold to a party other than the original creditor, most commonly a debt buyer or collection agency. This joins a small group of states covered elsewhere in this guide series — including Washington, Oklahoma, and Minnesota — that specifically restrict or exclude debt buyers from using the small claims forum. Nevada small claims court also does not hear libel, slander, professional malpractice, or claims seeking punitive damages, regardless of dollar amount.
5. A Genuinely Tiny, Decades-Old Statutory Cap on Appellate Attorney Fees
Under NRS 73.040, attorney’s fees are generally not recoverable by either party in a Nevada small claims action. But if the case is appealed to District Court, NRS 73.050 allows the prevailing party on appeal to recover an attorney fee — capped at exactly $15. This figure has evidently not been updated in a very long time and bears no meaningful relationship to actual attorney costs today; it exists more as a historical statutory curiosity than a real fee-shifting mechanism.
Nevada Small Claims Filing Fees (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (Clark County, tiered by claim amount) | $46 – $76 |
| Constable or sheriff service | ~$40 |
| Total typical upfront cost | ~$86 – $116 |
| Witness subpoena fee (if needed) | $25 plus mileage, paid at time of service |
Fees are set under NRS 4.060 and can vary by township and county. Confirm the exact current amount with your specific Justice Court before filing.
Step-by-Step: How to File in Nevada
Step 1 — Send a Demand Letter
Most Nevada justice courts expect, and some explicitly require, a written demand for payment before filing. State the exact amount sought and the reason you believe you are owed it, and give the defendant approximately 10 business days to respond before you intend to file. Send it by certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep a copy of the letter along with the signed return receipt — or, if the letter is refused or undeliverable, the original envelope showing that outcome — since this documentation is typically required to be filed along with your complaint. If the defendant is a corporation, the demand letter should be served on the resident agent or a corporate officer; look up this information through the Nevada Secretary of State’s Corporation Commission.
Step 2 — Confirm the Correct Township
File in the Justice Court for the township where the defendant resides, does business, or is employed, or — for a claim involving injury to person or property — where that injury occurred, or — for a contract claim — where the contract obligation was to be performed.
Step 3 — Complete the Affidavit and Order
Obtain this form from your local Justice Court or the Nevada Judiciary website. Include:
- Your name and address
- The defendant’s exact legal name and address
- The amount claimed (up to $10,000)
- A brief statement of your claim
Remember that claims cannot be split into multiple actions to avoid the $10,000 limit — all claims against a single defendant must be aggregated into one case.
Step 4 — File and Pay the Fee
File in person at the appropriate Justice Court and pay the applicable fee. Electronic filing is available in most populous townships — Las Vegas Justice Court offers Odyssey eFileNV, and Henderson and Reno Justice Courts also accept online filing for civil matters.
Step 5 — Serve the Defendant
Service must be completed by a constable, sheriff, or any adult who is not a party to the case, at least 10 days before the hearing date under JCRCP 4. If the defendant’s only known address is a P.O. Box, some courts permit service by certified mail with return receipt requested directly to the court itself.
Step 6 — Prepare Your Evidence
Bring three complete copies of every document and all witnesses. Practice a concise, fact-based, 2- to 3-minute opening statement — Nevada small claims judges move through calendars quickly, and a clear, organized presentation focused on dollar amounts and evidence outperforms an emotional or meandering one.
Step 7 — Attend the Hearing
Hearings are typically scheduled 30 to 70 days after filing. Attorneys are permitted, though most parties represent themselves. The judge usually rules from the bench at the conclusion of the hearing.
How to Collect Your Nevada Small Claims Judgment
Winning a Nevada small claims judgment does not mean the money automatically arrives — the prevailing party must actively pursue enforcement.
Step 1 — Abstract of Judgment (Real Property Lien)
Obtain a certified Abstract of Judgment from the court and record it with the County Recorder in any county where the debtor owns real property. This creates a lien attaching to the property’s title, generally preventing sale or refinancing until the debt is satisfied or otherwise addressed.
Step 2 — Writ of Execution (Personal Property)
Apply at the clerk’s office for a Writ of Execution, authorizing the sheriff or constable to seize and sell the debtor’s non-exempt personal property — vehicles with equity above the exemption, business equipment, and non-exempt account funds.
Step 3 — Wage or Bank Garnishment
File an Application for Writ of Garnishment. Remember the debtor keeps 82% of disposable wages (or 50 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater) under NRS 21.090(1)(g). The debtor may file a Claim of Exemption — at no filing cost — and must mail a copy to you as the judgment creditor, the sheriff or constable, and the garnishee (the employer or bank). Include supporting documentation such as pay stubs or a benefits award letter with any exemption claim you receive as the creditor for review.
Step 4 — Judgment Debtor Examination
If you do not know where the debtor works, banks, or holds property, request a Judgment Debtor Examination to compel them to disclose this information under oath.
Judgment Validity
A Nevada small claims judgment is valid for 6 years and is renewable before it expires.
Post-Judgment Interest
Interest accrues at the prime rate plus 2% under NRS 17.130 — one of the higher variable-rate calculations in the country, reset by the Nevada Supreme Court every January 1 and July 1. The rate runs approximately 10.5% in 2026.
If the Debtor Leaves Nevada
A Nevada judgment may still be enforceable if the debtor moves to another state, but you must comply with that state’s own procedures for enforcing an out-of-state judgment. Obtain an Exemplified Copy of your judgment from the court where it was entered, and strongly consider consulting an attorney given the added complexity of interstate enforcement.
Satisfaction of Judgment
Once the judgment has been paid in full, sign and file a Satisfaction with the court to formally close the case.
Appeals in Nevada Small Claims Court
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who can appeal | Either party |
| Deadline | 5 judicial days from entry of judgment (excludes weekends/holidays) |
| Where it goes | District Court |
| New evidence | Generally not permitted — limited to the original hearing record |
| Standard to win | Must show the judge made a legal error, not mere disagreement |
| Attorney fee if you prevail on appeal | Capped at $15 — NRS 73.050 |
| Governing statute | NRS 73.090 |
Nevada Statute of Limitations
| Claim Type | Period | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years | NRS 11.190(1)(b) |
| Oral contract | 4 years | NRS 11.190 |
Frequently Asked Questions — Nevada Small Claims Court
What is the small claims limit in Nevada in 2026?
$10,000 under NRS 73.010. You may voluntarily accept the $10,000 cap even if actual damages are higher, but claims cannot be split into multiple cases.
How much of my wages can be garnished?
Only about 18% at most — Nevada protects 82% of disposable wages (or 50x federal minimum wage, whichever is greater) under NRS 21.090(1)(g), far more protective than the federal 25% baseline.
Can either party appeal a Nevada small claims judgment?
Yes, within just 5 judicial days under NRS 73.090 — one of the shortest windows in the country. New evidence is generally not permitted on appeal.
How much does it cost to file in Nevada?
$46 to $76 in Clark County, plus about $40 for constable service.
Can a debt collection agency file in Nevada small claims court?
No — assigned claims are excluded, similar to restrictions in Washington, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.
What is the statute of limitations for small claims in Nevada?
6 years for written contracts, 4 years for oral contracts.
Are attorney’s fees recoverable?
Generally no, except on appeal, where the prevailing party may recover a fee capped at just $15.
How do I collect a judgment in Nevada?
Abstract of Judgment for a real property lien, Writ of Execution for personal property, or Writ of Garnishment for wages/bank accounts. Judgments are valid for 6 years, renewable. Post-judgment interest runs at prime + 2%, reset twice yearly.
How much home equity is protected?
Up to $605,000 under NRS 115.010 — among the highest homestead exemptions nationally.
Do I need to send a demand letter before filing?
In practice, yes — most Nevada justice courts require documented proof of a prior written demand, typically with a 10-business-day response window, filed alongside your complaint.
Sources
- Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts — Small Claims: nvcourts.gov
- NRS Chapter 73 (Small Claims): leg.state.nv.us
- NRS 73.010 (Jurisdiction — $10,000 limit)
- NRS 73.012 (Representation by director/officer/employee)
- NRS 73.040 (Attorney’s fees generally not allowable)
- NRS 73.050 (Attorney’s fee on appeal — capped at $15)
- NRS 73.090 (Appeal to District Court — 5 judicial days)
- NRS 11.190 (Statute of limitations — contracts)
- NRS 17.130 (Post-judgment interest — prime + 2%, reset semi-annually)
- NRS 21.090(1)(g) (Wage garnishment exemption — 82% protected)
- NRS 115.010 (Homestead exemption — $605,000)
- NRS 118A.242 (Security deposit itemization — 30 days)
- JCRCP 4, 60, 73 (Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure)
- Henderson Justice Court — Small Claims filing instructions
- Incline Village/Crystal Bay Justice Court — Small Claims General Info
- Sparks Justice Court (Washoe County) — Small Claims and garnishment exemption procedures
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