Texas Small Claims Court
Owed money in Texas? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Texas small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $20,000
- Court
- Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court)
- Filing fee
- Set per county: $54 base filing fee under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §118.121, plus service of citation (typically ~$75-$85 per defendant, set locally), so total upfront cost is commonly $130-$160. Confirm with the county's JP precinct clerk.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Yes — Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4 lets parties appear pro se, through an attorney, or (for entities) through an authorized agent; the court is designed for self-represented litigants and no attorney is required.
Source: Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500-507 · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court) clerk before filing.
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Demand for Payment
__________
From: __________
To: __________
This letter is a formal demand for payment of $______, owed to me for the following: __________ .
I have already attempted to resolve this: __________ . The amount remains unpaid.
If I do not receive full payment within ____ days of the date of this letter, I intend to file a claim against you in the Texas Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court) without further notice. A judgment could add court costs and interest to the amount you owe, and may affect your credit.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. You can contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
Generated with SealFormsStep one before filing in Texas · 2026
How to file in Texas — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court) where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: Set per county: $54 base filing fee under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §118.121, plus service of citation (typically ~$75-$85 per defendant, set locally), so total upfront cost is commonly $130-$160. Confirm with the county's JP precinct clerk..
- Serve the defendant the way Texas rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current Texas small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Texas small claims court?
The limit is $20,000 (as of 2026). $20,000 exclusive of interest (Tex. Gov't Code §27.031(a)(1)), raised from $10,000 effective Sept. 1, 2020 (SB 2342) and still current in 2026. The cap applies to the amount demanded; among the highest small-claims limits in the U.S. (now matched by Utah's $20,000 and West Virginia's $20,000). Source: Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500-507. If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In Texas, small claims cases are heard by the Justice Court (Justice of the Peace Court), generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: Set per county: $54 base filing fee under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §118.121, plus service of citation (typically ~$75-$85 per defendant, set locally), so total upfront cost is commonly $130-$160. Confirm with the county's JP precinct clerk.. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Texas: Yes — Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4 lets parties appear pro se, through an attorney, or (for entities) through an authorized agent; the court is designed for self-represented litigants and no attorney is required.. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
Do I have to send a demand letter first?
Send one even where it isn't strictly required: many judges expect proof that you asked for the money in writing before filing, some statutes require it, and in practice a firm dated letter with a deadline resolves a large share of disputes without a case. Use the free generator on this page and send it in a way you can prove (certified mail or another trackable method).
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on Texas law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does Texas compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Texas compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Texas: Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500-507 ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $20,000 — about 2× the national median of $10,000 across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #3 of 51 states (tied with 3) — higher means larger disputes can use the small claims process.
3 other states use the same figure.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — Arkansas ($5,000), Louisiana ($5,000), New Mexico ($10,000), Oklahoma ($10,000). Texas's $20,000 is the longest among its neighbors.
Small claims guide in other states
More Texas legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →