Small Claims Court Limits in Texas: Maximum You Can Sue For (2026)

The Texas small claims court limit is $20,000. You can sue any person or business for up to that amount in a Justice of the Peace court. No lawyer needed. If your claim is under $20,000, small claims court is the fastest and cheapest way to get paid. Filing takes one form. Most cases wrap up in 60 to 90 days.

Here is what you need to know about the Texas limit, who can sue, what cases qualify, how much it costs, and where to file.

What Is the Small Claims Court Limit in Texas?

Texas sets the small claims limit at $20,000. That number comes from Section 27.031 of the Texas Government Code. It gives Justice of the Peace courts the power to hear civil cases under $20,000.

The $20,000 cap covers your total claim. That includes damages, interest, and any fees you want the court to add. If your claim is more than $20,000, you cannot split it into two smaller cases. Courts will throw that out.

You can choose to drop the amount above $20,000 and still file in small claims. But once you give it up, it is gone. You cannot sue for the rest later.

How the Limit Changed Over Time

Texas raised the small claims limit in September 2020. It went from $10,000 to $20,000. Before that, anything above $10,000 had to go to a higher court. That meant more forms, longer waits, and often a lawyer.

The change helped a lot of people. Many common disputes fall between $10,000 and $20,000. Contractor jobs gone bad. Car repair fraud. Security deposit fights. Unpaid loans. All of those can now go through the simpler, cheaper small claims process.

If you read something online saying the Texas limit is $10,000, that info is out of date. The current limit is $20,000.

What Types of Cases Can You File in Texas Small Claims Court?

Texas small claims court handles civil cases for money. Here are the most common types:

• Unpaid loans between friends, family, or coworkers
• Contractor disputes where work was not finished or was done badly
• Security deposit disputes where a landlord will not return your money
• Damage to personal property, like a repair shop that wrecked your car
• Defective products that did not work as sold
• Unpaid wages from an employer who stiffed you
• Broken contracts, written or verbal
• Bounced checks and other payment disputes
• Moving company damage or lost items
• Home repair fraud where someone took money and did not show up

If someone owes you money and the amount is under $20,000, small claims court can likely handle it.

Texas Justice of the Peace courts also handle eviction cases. But eviction is its own process. If your landlord owes you money and is also trying to evict you, both cases can run in the same court. They are filed as separate cases, though.

What Cases Cannot Be Filed in Texas Small Claims Court?

Small claims court is for money only. It cannot tell someone to do something or stop doing something. Here is what it cannot handle:

• Injunctions (court orders to stop an action)
• Divorce or family law cases
• Criminal cases of any kind
• Claims over $20,000 (unless you drop the excess)
• Claims against the state of Texas
• Cases against federal agencies

Not sure if your case qualifies? Call the Justice of the Peace court in your county. The clerk can tell you if they can hear it. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you if you are in the right place.

Who Can File in Texas Small Claims Court?

Almost anyone can sue in Texas small claims court. You must be at least 18. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian must file for you.

Businesses can file too. That includes sole owners, LLCs, and corporations. A business just needs someone with the right to speak for it.

Can you sue someone who lives in another state? Sometimes, yes. If the dispute happened in Texas, or if the defendant did business here, or if the contract was meant to be carried out in Texas, you may be able to sue them here. The defendant must have some tie to the state.

Most state agencies are protected by immunity. That means you usually cannot sue them in small claims court. Ask the clerk before you file.

Texas Small Claims Court Filing Fees

Filing fees in Texas depend on your county. There is no single statewide fee. Each Justice of the Peace court sets its own.

Most counties fall in a similar range. Here is what to expect:

Most people spend under $200 to file and serve a case. That is much less than hiring a lawyer for a regular civil case.

Cannot afford the fees? You can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The judge reviews it. If approved, you file for free.

When you win, the court often orders the other side to pay your fees as part of the judgment. Keep every receipt.

Want a breakdown of fees in every state? See our guide to small claims court filing fees by state.

Where to File: Texas Venue Rules

Small claims cases in Texas go to Justice of the Peace courts. These courts are in every Texas county. Counties are split into precincts. Most counties have more than one precinct.

You need to file in the right precinct. The general rules for where to file:

• Where the defendant lives or has their main office
• Where the contract was signed or was to be carried out
• Where the event happened that caused the dispute

If you file in the wrong precinct, the court can move your case. But it adds delays. Get it right from the start.

You can find your county's Justice of the Peace courts at tjctc.org. They have a list of every court in the state.

Bigger counties like Harris and Dallas have many precincts. Each is its own court. Find the one that covers where the defendant lives or works.

Texas vs. Neighboring States: Small Claims Limits

How does Texas compare to nearby states? Here is a quick look:

Texas has one of the highest limits in the region. More disputes can go through the simpler, cheaper process. Arkansas and Louisiana cap out at $5,000. A $15,000 dispute there forces you into a higher court. In Texas, that same case stays in small claims.

What If Your Claim Is Over $20,000?

If you are owed more than $20,000, you have two options.

Option 1: Drop the excess. You can sue for $20,000 and give up the rest. This keeps your case in small claims court. It is faster and cheaper. But you lose the money above $20,000 for good.

Option 2: File in a higher court. County Court at Law hears civil cases from $200 to $250,000. District Court handles cases over that. Both take longer and usually need a lawyer.

Many people with a claim just over $20,000 will think hard about Option 1. A fast $20,000 judgment can beat a long fight for $25,000, especially if the other side does not have much money.

Before You File: Try a Demand Letter First

Most disputes never reach a courtroom. A demand letter sent before filing can be enough to get paid.

A demand letter is a formal written request for payment. It states what you are owed, why you are owed it, and what happens if they do not pay. It shows you are serious.

About 70% of PettyLawsuit cases resolve without court. The other side pays once they see you mean business. Court is costly and public for them too.

Want to try that first? PettyLawsuit handles Texas cases and sends demand letters right away, with certified mail tracking.

How to Make Your Case Stronger

Winning in small claims comes down to proof. The judge wants to see evidence. Here is what to bring:

• Contracts or written deals (even text messages count)
• Receipts and invoices showing what you paid
• Photos of damage, bad work, or missing items
• Bank records showing transfers or missed payments
• Emails and texts where the other side said they would pay
• Repair quotes showing the cost of fixing the problem
• Witnesses who saw what happened

Organize your papers before the hearing. Bring two copies of each item. One for the judge. One for you. Do not bring one-of-a-kind originals if you can avoid it.

New to this? Our step-by-step guide on how to file small claims court in Texas walks through every step from start to judgment.

What Happens After You Win?

Winning the case is step one. Getting paid is step two. A court judgment does not put cash in your hand right away.

If the other side refuses to pay, you have tools:

• Writ of execution: A constable can take the defendant's property and sell it to pay you.
• Wage garnishment: Money can be taken from their paycheck.
• Bank levy: Funds can be pulled from their bank account.

These steps cost extra (usually $125 to $175 for a writ). But they give you real ways to collect.

Texas judgments are good for 10 years. They can be renewed. Even if the other side has no money now, you can collect later when they do.

For the full process, see our Texas small claims court guide with step-by-step help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum amount for small claims court in Texas?

The most you can sue for in Texas small claims court is $20,000. This comes from Section 27.031 of the Texas Government Code. If your claim is over $20,000, you can drop the extra and sue for $20,000, or take the case to a higher court.

Can you sue for more than $20,000 in small claims court in Texas?

No. The cap is $20,000. If your claim is higher, you have two choices. Drop the amount above $20,000 and stay in small claims, or file in County Court at Law for the full amount. You cannot split one claim into smaller pieces to get around the limit.

What types of cases can you file in Texas small claims court?

Texas small claims handles money disputes under $20,000. Common cases include unpaid loans, bad contractor work, security deposit fights, property damage, unpaid wages, and broken contracts. It does not handle criminal cases, family law, or orders to stop an action.

What is the minimum for small claims court in Texas?

There is no set minimum to file in Texas. You can sue for any amount under $20,000. Keep in mind that filing and service fees run $100 to $175. For very small amounts, sending a demand letter first may make more sense.

How much does small claims court cost in Texas?

Filing fees run from $30 to $75 per county. Service of process adds $75 to $100. Most people spend under $200 to get started. If you win, the court may order the other side to cover your fees. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Texas?

No. Texas small claims court is built for people who do not have a lawyer. You can show up and argue your own case. The forms are written in plain language. The process is more relaxed than higher courts.

Where do I file a small claims case in Texas?

File in a Justice of the Peace court. Every Texas county has at least one. File in the precinct where the defendant lives, works, or where the dispute happened. Find your local court at tjctc.org.

How long does a small claims case take in Texas?

Most cases are heard within 60 to 90 days of filing. The judge usually rules the same day as the hearing. If someone appeals, the case moves to County Court and takes several more months.

Ready to Take Action?

If someone owes you money in Texas, you do not have to eat the loss. The state gives you a real path to get paid, with a $20,000 limit and courts built for everyday people.

Not sure if you need court at all? Most disputes settle after one well-written demand letter. See how PettyLawsuit helps Texas residents get their money back without setting foot in a courthouse.