Texas

Overview In Texas, small claims courts are part of the Justice Court system and are designed to make the civil legal process accessible to everyone—including individuals without lawyers. If you have been served with a petition in small claims court, you are called the defendant. You have legal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to defend yourself…

Overview Texas has one of the largest and most decentralized local court systems in the United States. While the rules governing small claims are consistent statewide, the jurisdiction and administration of small claims cases are organized by county and, within each county, by individual Justice of the Peace precincts. This structure ensures that Texans in…

Overview Texans often use the terms “small claims court” and “justice court” interchangeably, but in reality, they describe different aspects of the same judicial structure. Since reforms enacted by the Texas Legislature in 2013, all small claims courts were merged into the Justice Courts system, streamlining local civil jurisdiction under a single umbrella. However, the…

Overview Winning or losing in Texas small claims court is not always the end of the story. If a party disagrees with the outcome—either because of a legal error, misunderstanding of facts, or procedural issue—Texas law provides a structured way to appeal. However, the appeal process is not simply a re-argument of the same points…

Overview Winning your small claims case in Texas is only half the battle—collecting the money awarded by the court can often take additional effort. A judgment from a Justice Court is a legally binding order requiring the losing party (the debtor) to pay a specific amount to the winning party (the creditor). Yet, the court…

Overview Small claims courts in Texas were designed to be fast, efficient, and accessible. Yet many people underestimate the number of procedural stages involved before a judgment is reached. In general, most small claims cases in Texas take between two to four months from the time of filing to the final hearing, though complex or…

Overview The Texas Small Claims Court offers an accessible and affordable way to resolve monetary disputes under $20,000 without the need for an attorney. As part of the Justice Court system, it is designed to be approachable for individuals and small business owners seeking quick remedies for everyday civil conflicts — such as unpaid debts,…

Overview The Texas Small Claims Court is designed to resolve common civil disputes efficiently, without requiring formal legal training or the expense of hiring an attorney. It is part of the Justice Court system and operates under the authority of Texas Government Code §27.031. These courts have jurisdiction over minor civil cases seeking monetary damages…

Overview In Texas, small claims cases are heard in the Justice Courts, presided over by elected Justices of the Peace. These courts were designed to provide fast, affordable, and accessible resolution for ordinary disputes involving limited sums of money. As of 2025, the monetary limit for a small claims case is $20,000, exclusive of statutory…

Overview In Texas, “small claims” are heard in the Justice Courts. These courts provide a streamlined forum to resolve money-only disputes up to the statutory cap. As of 2025, you can sue for up to $20,000 (excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney’s fees if permitted). Justice Courts cannot force someone to do…