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Small Claims Court Limits in Texas

In Texas, justice courts hear small claims cases up to $20,000.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Texas at a glance

Maximum claim
$20,000
Exclusive of interest. Small claims cases are heard in justice court.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Texas

What is the small claims court limit in Texas?

Maximum claim in Texas: $20,000. Exclusive of interest. Small claims cases are heard in justice court.

Where do the Texas small claims court limits come from?

The rules above come from Tex. Gov't Code 27.031 and Tex. Gov't Code 27.060. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Before filing, send the other side a written demand that states what is owed, why, and a deadline to pay. A clear demand letter sometimes settles the dispute without court, and some courts ask whether you tried to resolve the matter first.

Bring organized evidence to the hearing: contracts, receipts, invoices, photos, text messages and any written promise to pay. Prepare a short timeline of what happened. Judges in small claims court decide cases quickly, so a clear, document backed explanation helps.

Winning a judgment does not mean you are paid automatically. If the other side does not pay voluntarily, you may need to use collection tools such as wage garnishment, a bank levy or a lien, and each of those has its own forms, fees and rules.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.