States covered
10 states
property dispute
2026 data 10 states ~$245 avg
Property Dispute — State Comparison
Civil litigation involving ownership, boundary, or rights related to real or personal property.
Civil-court disposition mix — Property Dispute
Average minimum fee
$245
Across all surveyed states
Free filings
0 states
All states charge a fee
Longest waiting period
0 days
No mandatory cooling-off
How Property Dispute Cases Typically Resolve
National disposition averages applied to property dispute filings — settlement is the most common outcome across civil dockets.
Settlement rate 42.0%
Most common civil-case outcome
Plaintiff judgments 18.0%
Defendant
Default judgments (non-response) 12.0%
Dismissals 16.0%
How Property Dispute Filing Costs Vary Nationally
PlainCivil tracks property dispute filing requirements across 10 states out of 10 covered in the national dataset. Across those states, the average minimum filing fee is $245 and the average maximum is $564 — a spread that reflects both county-level surcharges and how each state funds its court system. The lowest entry cost is in Michigan, starting at $150. The highest ceiling is in California, where complex cases can reach $1,435.
Waiting periods and procedural timelines differ just as sharply. No state on this list imposes a notably long mandatory waiting period for property dispute. 10 states have no mandatory waiting period, meaning the court can finalize the matter as soon as the case is ready. Actual time from filing to resolution usually exceeds the statutory minimum because of court calendars, response deadlines, service of process, and any contested issues. Venue rules, residency minimums, and grounds requirements add further state-specific complexity you should check before filing.
This page is a procedural reference, not legal advice. Property Dispute outcomes depend heavily on case facts, local court rules, opposing parties, and the judge assigned. If your situation involves minor children, contested property, domestic violence, housing loss, criminal collateral consequences, or immigration status, contact a licensed attorney or your state legal-aid organization before filing. Every state listed here also offers fee-waiver programs for filers whose household income falls below roughly 125–200% of the federal poverty level.
State-by-State Comparison
10 states| State | Filing Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| California | $435–$1,435 | Details → |
| Florida | $400–$900 | Details → |
| Georgia | $200–$400 | Details → |
| Illinois | $250–$500 | Details → |
| Michigan | $150–$400 | Details → |
| New York | $210–$500 | Details → |
| North Carolina | $150–$300 | Details → |
| Ohio | $150–$350 | Details → |
| Pennsylvania | $200–$450 | Details → |
| Texas | $300–$400 | Details → |
Details by State
California
$435–$1,435Superior Court civil jurisdiction. Limited civil for under $35,000 ~$435.
Timeline: 6-24 months
Full California details →Florida
$400–$900Circuit Court for disputes over $30,000.
Timeline: 6-18 months
Full Florida details →Georgia
$200–$400Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over real property.
Timeline: 6-18 months
Full Georgia details →Illinois
$250–$500Circuit Court, Law Division or Chancery.
Timeline: 6-24 months
Full Illinois details →Michigan
$150–$400Circuit Court. Land title disputes in equity division.
Timeline: 6-18 months
Full Michigan details →New York
$210–$500Supreme Court for most real property actions.
Timeline: 1-3 years
Full New York details →North Carolina
$150–$300Superior Court for property disputes over $25,000.
Timeline: 6-18 months
Full North Carolina details →Texas
$300–$400District Court for real property disputes.
Timeline: 6-18 months
Full Texas details →Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Civil case dispositions and judgment trends · 2025
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |