• Be sure that you have brought your claim against the proper party and know the parties correct address
• Be sure that you are starting your case in the correct District Court (venue)
• Prepare a carbon pack "Summons and Complaint" - 2 part form (MC 01 and MC01a or 4 copies of each form - forms can be obtained at any District Court or from the General Civil Forms section below.
• Pay a filing fee (the filing fee can be paid by check, money order, or cash) (checks should be made payable to the 52-2 District Court)
• Decide how you would like the defendant served (sheriff, deputy sheriff, bailiff, appointed court officer, attorney for a party, or by certified mail)

Below is a list of the commonly used General Civil Forms by the 52nd District Court, 2nd Division - Civil Division:

Note: When printing documents, be sure to print all pages in the PDF, every page is needed. Please bring three (3) copies of each form with you when filing.

• 52-2 Contact Information - MC505
• Answer-Civil - MC03
• Motion and Affidavit to Set Aside Default (Civil) - MC99
• Complaint and Summons Regarding Dangerous Animal - DC118
• Summons and Complaint - MC01
• Summons and Complaint - second page - MC01a
• Motion for Second Summons and Order - MC01b
• Default Request, Affidavit and Entry - MC07
• Default Request, Affidavit, Entry and Judgment (Sum Certain) - MC07a
• Voluntary Dismissal - MC09
• Judgment, Civil - MC10
• Subpoena, Order to Appear and/or Produce - MC11
• Motion and Affidavit for Installment Payments/To Amend Order for Installment Payments - MC15
• Motion to Set Aside Order for Installment Payments - MC16
• Certificate of Satisfied Judgment - MC17
• Request and Order to Seize Property - MC19
• Affidavit and Notice of Entry of Foreign Judgment - MC62
• Notice of Judgment Lien - MC94
• Motion, Affidavit and Bench Warrant - MC229
• Order for Administrative Closing Due to Bankruptcy - MC300
• Proof of Mailing - MC302
• Motion and Verification for Alternate Service - MC303
• Order Regarding Alternate Service - MC304
• Order - MC327
• Motion and Order to Show Cause - MC230
• Notice of Hearing and Motion - MC326

Additional General Civil Forms can be found at the Michigan Courts Website.

All fees must be paid by check, money order, or cash.

• $35.00: Claim is $600.00 and under
• $55.00: Claim is $600.01 - $1,750.00
• $75.00: Claim is $1,750.01 - $10,000.00
• $160.00: Claim is $10,000.01 - $25,000.00
• $75.00: Claim and Delivery (no Money Judgment)
• $75.00 + Civil Fee above: Supplement Fee for Money Judgment on Claim and Delivery
• $15: Discovery Subpoena
• $20: All Motions
• $50: Jury Demand Filing Fee

• Serve by Court's Process Server (billed by Process Server): $23 per Defendant + Mileage Fee
• Mileage Fees (billed by Process Server): .87 cents per mile (as of 1/1/19)
• Serve by Certified Mail: $16 per defendant in addition to filing fee (as of 07/10/2023)

It is notification that you are being sued.

You have 21 days after receiving the summons to file an answer with the court and serve a copy on the other party or to take other lawful action (28 days if you were served by mail or you were served outside this state).

If you do not answer or take other action within the time allowed, a judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.

If you don't dispute the claim, you could possibly work with the plaintiff's attorney to enter a Consent Judgment. A Consent Judgment is one that is agreeable to both parties.

If a Consent Judgment is not possible, an answer should be filed at the court and a pretrial conference will be scheduled.