How Much Does It Cost to Sue Someone? (Civil Lawsuit Costs)

Civil litigation attorneys typically charge $150 to $550 per hour, and a straightforward lawsuit often totals around $10,000 once filing fees and discovery are included. Complex civil cases regularly reach $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Simple matters are sometimes handled for a flat fee of $500 to $5,000.

Key takeaways

• Hourly is the norm in civil litigation, because nobody can predict how hard the other side will fight.
• Court filing fees are separate from attorney fees and are owed regardless of outcome.
• Discovery is the cost centre — depositions, document production, and experts, not the trial itself.
• Winning does not guarantee payment. A judgment must still be collected, and a defendant without assets may never pay.
• Small claims court handles smaller disputes for a modest filing fee, usually without lawyers at all.

What a lawsuit costs

Case type	Typical total
Simple, flat-fee matter	$500–$5,000
Straightforward lawsuit	~$10,000
Complex civil litigation	$50,000–$100,000+
Hourly rate	$150–$550/hour

Ask this before you sue

1. Can the defendant actually pay? A judgment against someone with no assets is expensive paper. This question should come before any other.
2. Does small claims court cover it? If your dispute fits under your state’s limit, it is dramatically cheaper and faster.
3. Is there a contract with a fee-shifting clause? Some contracts make the loser pay the winner’s legal fees, which changes the math entirely.
4. Would mediation resolve it? Settling early avoids the discovery costs that dominate litigation budgets.
5. What is your deadline? Every claim has a statute of limitations, and missing it ends an otherwise valid case.

Check your state’s small claims limit with our Small Claims Court Limit Finder, confirm your deadline with the Statute of Limitations Checker, or browse civil litigation attorneys near you.