Texas Justice Court
Demand Letters
A clear written demand with a specific amount and deadline resolves many disputes without filing — and reads well as an exhibit when it does not.
Legal information only: This site provides legal information for Texas Justice Court users. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not replace advice from a licensed Texas attorney or instructions from your court. County and precinct practices vary. Filing methods, local forms, service fees, court closures, and clerk procedures can change. Always verify details with the correct Justice of the Peace court before filing or relying on a deadline.
Important
- Never threaten criminal charges or other non-civil consequences to collect a civil debt — that can create liability for you.
- Some claim types reward or require pre-suit notice (for example, DTPA consumer claims generally need 60 days notice). When in doubt, ask an attorney before sending.
Step-by-Step Starting Point
- 1State the facts: dates, what was agreed, what happened, and the exact amount owed with an itemized breakdown.
- 2Set a real deadline, commonly 10 to 14 days.
- 3Say what happens next — filing in Justice Court — without exaggeration.
- 4Send by certified mail with return receipt, plus a regular-mail and email copy.
- 5Keep the letter, enclosures, and delivery proof together for court.
Tone wins
Factual, calm, and specific letters get taken seriously. Judges may eventually read the letter; write it for that audience.
Include how you calculated the amount. A table of items and amounts is more persuasive than a round number.
After the deadline
If payment arrives, document it and confirm what it settles. If a partial offer arrives, negotiate in writing.
If nothing arrives, the demand letter becomes Exhibit A in your Justice Court filing.
Templates & kits for this task
Free Texas Demand Letter
FreeA clean, court-aware demand letter template to start with.
Demand Letter Pack
$19Four Texas-specific demand letters plus sending instructions.
Self-help templates, not legal advice. County court forms always come first when your JP court publishes one.