Michigan
Michigan: statutes read at the official source for people acting for themselves, each with its citation and the date it was read.
Acting for yourself
600.916 Unauthorized practice of law
MCL 600.916 (Revised Judicature Act) · legislature.mi.gov · read 2026-08-19 · official source
Renting and landlord-tenant
security deposit, itemized list deadline
In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7
Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609 · read 2026-08-21 · official source
Not verified for Michigan: Month-to-month notice (§ 554.134), the 7-day demand for possession (§ 600.5714) and the anti-lockout statute (§ 600.2918) were not fetched.
Small claims
The court that hears these in Michigan is the Small claims division of the district court.
$7,000
Statute sets a schedule of step increases; $7,000 is the figure 'Beginning January 1, 2024' and is the last step listed.
The jurisdiction of the small claims division shall be confined to cases for the recovery of money in which the amount claimed does not exceed the following: (a) Beginning September 1, 2012, $5,000.00. (b) Beginning January 1, 2015, $5,500.00. (c) Beginning January 1, 2018, $6,000.00. (d) Beginning January 1, 2021, $6,500.00 (e) Beginning January 1, 2024, $7,000.00.
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.8401(e) · read 2026-08-21 · official source
Lawyers in small claims
An attorney at law, except on the attorney's own behalf, a collection agency or agent or employee of a collection agency, or a person other than the plaintiff and defendant, except as is otherwise provided in this chapter, shall not take part in the filing, prosecution, or defense of litigation in the small claims division.
Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.8408(1) · read 2026-08-21 · official source
Not verified: No official self-help URL verified (candidate courts.michigan.gov paths returned HTTP 404).
How long you have to bring a claim
| Kind of claim | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|
| written contract | 6 years | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) · read 2026-08-21 |
| oral contract | 6 years | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) · read 2026-08-21 |
| personal injury | 3 years | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) · read 2026-08-21 |
| property damage | 3 years | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) · read 2026-08-21 |
Limitation periods have exceptions: when the clock starts (accrual), tolling, discovery rules, and claims against government bodies often differ. These entries record the general period as the statute states it, on the date read. They are not a calculation of any particular deadline.
Not verified: Wage claims and debt-on-account not read.
What this page is, and is not
Everything above was read at the source named next to it, on the date named next to it. Nothing is summarised from memory and nothing is carried over from a neighbouring state. Statutes are amended, so read the source before relying on it.
This is general legal information about Michigan. It is not advice about your situation, and it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.