Texas Justice Court
Small Claims
A Texas small claims case is usually a Justice Court case for money damages, personal property, civil penalties, or other allowed relief within the court cap.
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
- If the amount or remedy does not fit Justice Court, talk with a Texas attorney before filing.
Step-by-Step Starting Point
- 1Confirm the dispute is not actually a debt claim, repair and remedy case, or eviction.
- 2Find the county and precinct using venue rules and county lookup tools.
- 3Use the county petition form if one exists.
- 4Plan for filing fee plus separate service costs.
- 5Track service, answer deadline, jury deadline, trial date, and appeal deadline.
Common examples
Contractor disputes, unpaid informal loans, property damage, goods or services not delivered, and many security deposit disputes may fall in the small claims lane when they fit the jurisdictional limit.
A case involving possession of rental property is usually an eviction, not small claims.
What happens after filing
The court issues citation, and the defendant must be served by an authorized method. The plaintiff should not personally serve the papers.
After service, the court tracks an answer deadline or hearing setting. Bring organized evidence, copies, witness information, and a clear damages calculation.
Common Signals
This may fit when
- Other money dispute
- Personal property dispute
- Civil penalty claim
- Contract or service dispute
Check a different lane when
- Debt-buyer collection case
- Residential tenant repair order
- Landlord possession case
Templates & kits for this task
Full Texas Small Claims Starter Kit
$49Every template and guide, from first demand letter to collecting a judgment.
Free Texas Demand Letter
FreeA clean, court-aware demand letter template to start with.
Self-help templates, not legal advice. County court forms always come first when your JP court publishes one.