Rule 145.03 Judgment - Costs May be Assessed

When a small claims case ends, the judge doesn't just decide who wins. The judge can also order that costs from the case be paid as part of the judgment. This means the losing party may have to pay court costs on top of whatever else the judgment requires, like paying back money owed.

These costs are separate from the actual claim in the lawsuit. They usually cover things like filing fees or other expenses tied to bringing the case to court. If you're involved in a small claims case, keep in mind that the final amount you owe or receive could include these extra costs, not just the original amount being disputed.