52-4 District Court · Fourth Division · Troy, Michigan
Sued in the 52-4 District Court?
Here's what defendants in Troy and Clawson need to know — court details, how cases typically move through this division, and where to go next based on where you are in the process.
Court details
52-4 District Court — Troy
Always verify critical details (filing fees, hearing format, deadlines) directly with the court clerk before relying on them.
- Address
- 520 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084 - Phone
- (248) 528-0400 (general / civil)
(248) 528-0402 (traffic) - Hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on legal holidays. Verify current hours with the clerk before visiting. - Parking
- On-site. Located on the south side of Big Beaver Road, west of Livernois Avenue. Accessible from I-75 via the Big Beaver Road exit.
- Official website
- Oakland County — 52-4 District Court
- E-filing
- MiFILE, Michigan's statewide system. Free account at mifile.courts.michigan.gov.
- Filing fees
- Contact the court clerk at (248) 528-0400 for current amounts.
- Online payments
- Traffic tickets and certain fines can be paid through the Oakland County payment portal. A processing fee applies for credit card payments.
- Camera phones
- Not permitted in the building for non-attorneys. Leave your phone in your vehicle or be prepared to check it at the entrance.
Judges
- Hon. Kirsten Nielsen Hartig — serving since 2010, Presiding Judge since 2018
- Hon. Maureen M. McGinnis — serving since 2014
The court also has two magistrates who handle arraignments, informal traffic hearings, small claims, and warrant requests.
What to expect
What Defendants Typically Experience Here
The 52-4 District Court is located on Big Beaver Road in Troy — one of Oakland County's major commercial corridors. The court serves just two communities, Troy and Clawson, making it the most geographically compact division in the 52nd District system. But Troy is Oakland County's largest city with over 83,000 residents, so the court handles a substantial caseload.
The court is organized into Civil, Criminal, Traffic, and Probation divisions. Civil cases — including debt collection lawsuits, landlord-tenant disputes, and damage claims — are heard when the amount in dispute is under $25,000. The small claims division handles cases with lower dollar amounts.
Troy's position as a corporate and retail hub — home to the Somerset Collection, major office parks, and numerous corporate headquarters — means the court sees significant consumer debt litigation. Credit card lawsuits, auto loan disputes, and medical debt collection cases are common on the civil docket.
For defendants facing a civil lawsuit, the timeline is the same across all Michigan district courts. Defendants generally have 21 days from the date of service to file a written response. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment, which may lead to wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, and a judgment on the defendant's record.
Hearings at the 52-4 District Court follow standard Michigan court procedures. Defendants should arrive early, dress appropriately, and be prepared to check in with the clerk's office upon arrival.
The courthouse is located on the south side of Big Beaver Road, west of Livernois Avenue, and is accessible from I-75 via the Big Beaver Road exit. Parking is available on-site.
Camera phones not permitted
Unlike some other courts, the 52-4 District Court does not permit camera phones in the building for non-attorneys. Plan accordingly — leave your phone in your vehicle or be prepared to check it at the entrance.
A note on text scams
Oakland County courts have issued warnings about phishing text messages claiming to be from the Michigan DMV requesting payment. The court will never solicit payment via a text message link.
Your next steps
Wherever you are in the process
If you've been sued in the 52-4 District Court, you're not alone — and you have options. Start wherever you are right now:
Just got served?
What to Do When You Get Served
Understanding what the summons and complaint mean — and why the 21-day deadline matters — is the first step.
Ready to respond?
How to Respond
Defendants commonly file a written Answer to avoid a default judgment. Michigan Legal Help offers free tools to prepare documents.
Considering options?
Negotiating and Settlement
Settlement, payment plans, and other paths — what defendants commonly explore and how it typically works.
Court date coming?
Going to Court
Check-in procedures, how hearings typically flow, and what the courthouse experience looks like.
Need legal help?
Resources
Free and low-cost legal aid organizations, self-help tools, and Michigan-specific referrals.
Legal help
Find an Attorney for 52-4 District Court — Troy
Attorneys who practice in this court can be reached directly. If a spot is open, that means we haven't yet confirmed an advertiser for that tier — you can still find legal help through our free resources page.
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Don't know where to start?
The Quick-Start Checklist
The DefendMich Quick-Start Checklist walks you through the first steps after getting served — the critical deadlines, what to gather, and what to do before anything else. Eight pages, printable, built for people who just got sued and need a clear starting point.
Jurisdictional coverage
Communities Served by the 52-4 District Court
The 52-4 District Court serves just two communities — Troy is the largest city in Oakland County by population, and Clawson is a smaller neighboring city to the south. Together they form the most compact jurisdiction in the 52nd District system.
- City of Troy
- City of Clawson
DefendMich.com provides legal information, not legal advice. This site is not affiliated with the 52-4 District Court, Oakland County, or any government agency. Nothing on this site creates an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization. For the official 52-4 District Court website, visit oakgov.com.