Which Texas court hears your civil case
Civil jurisdiction thresholds with statutory authority. Source: 1Court Directory, verified 2026-08-20 (official source).
| Tier | Court | Amount in controversy | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims | Justice Court (Small Claims) Small claims and general JP civil share the $20,000 limit (eff. 2020-09-01). | Up to $20,000 | Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031 |
| Limited civil | Justice Court (Justice of the Peace) | Up to $20,000 | Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031 |
| General civil | County Court at Law / District Court County courts at law vary (commonly up to $250,000); District Court has general jurisdiction. | No limit | Tex. Gov't Code §§ 25, 26 |
Answer deadline after service
In Texas, the answer is due by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next after 20 days from service (Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b)).
Estimates from the statutory answer period; service-method extensions and local rules can change these dates. Verify before relying on them. Not legal advice.
24 Texas forms SimpleCase prepares
Generated from your uploaded complaint, with captions and terminology matched to Texas practice. Every document is a draft for attorney review.
- Notice of Appearance(pattern) Appearance of counsel; service on undersigned requested
- Motion for Continuance(pattern) Good-cause continuance with proposed order
- Notice of Deposition(pattern) Oral deposition with optional duces tecum; recording method per rule
- Civil Subpoena(pattern) Testimony and/or production (duces tecum); issuance and witness-fee rules vary
- Answer(pattern) Responsive pleading: denials and affirmative defenses
- Satisfaction of Judgment(pattern) acknowledgment of satisfaction for entry on the docket
- Civil Case Information SheetMandatory for every new TX civil filing (TX Judicial Council)
- CitationTX summons equivalent: TRCP Rule 99, 20-day answer deadline
- Return of ServiceOfficer's sworn proof of service: TRCP Rule 107
- Statement of Inability to AffordFee waiver: TRCP Rule 145
- Notice of NonsuitVoluntary dismissal: TRCP Rule 162
- Motion for Default JudgmentFiled when defendant fails to answer: TRCP Rules 239, 241
- Certificate of Last Known AddressRequired with default judgment motion: TRCP Rule 239a
- Military Status AffidavitSCRA compliance: 50 U.S.C. § 3931
- Default JudgmentProposed judgment for judge signature
- Abstract of JudgmentCreates lien on debtor's real property: Tex. Prop. Code § 52.001
- Writ of ExecutionLevy on debtor's non-exempt property: TRCP Rule 621
- Writ of GarnishmentGarnish bank accounts / third-party property: TRCP Rule 657
- Civil Case Information Sheet (Harris County)(pattern) Required by the Harris County Clerk with new civil filings
- Civil Case Information Sheet with Damages Sought (Dallas County)(pattern) Required by the Dallas County Clerk with new civil filings
- Petition: Debt Claim Case (Justice Court)(TRCP 508 pattern) Justice Court debt claims to $20,000: assignees, financial institutions, debt collectors, lenders; Rule 508.2 required contents
- Notice to VacateProp. Code 24.005: 3 days by default, lease may override; delivery methods per 24.005(f)
- Petition: Eviction Case (Justice Court)(TRCP 510 pattern) Forcible detainer with optional rent claim; notice date and method stated
- Request for Writ of PossessionProp. Code 24.0061: issues no earlier than the 6th day after judgment
Filing packages
One click assembles the forms a Texas matter typically needs at each stage.
General Civil
Civil Case Information Sheet · Citation · Return of Service
Collections: File & Serve
Civil Case Information Sheet · Citation · Return of Service
Collections: Default Judgment
Motion for Default Judgment · Certificate of Last Known Address · Military Status Affidavit · Default Judgment
Collections: Enforce Judgment
Satisfaction of Judgment · Abstract of Judgment · Writ of Execution · Writ of Garnishment
Fee Waiver
Statement of Inability to Afford
Nonsuit / Dismissal
Notice of Nonsuit
Eviction: Notice to Vacate
Notice to Vacate
Eviction: File & Serve
Petition: Eviction Case (Justice Court) · Return of Service
Eviction: Writ of Possession
Request for Writ of Possession
County-level court details
Filing fees, clerk contacts, e-filing portals, and courthouse addresses for every Texas county are in the 1Court Directory: Texas.
How it works
Upload your case document
PDF, Word, image, or text. SimpleCase extracts parties, claims, amounts, and dates.
Confirm venue and court
For unfiled cases, SimpleCase suggests the county, court level, and courthouse, with the statutory basis shown.
Generate the package
Every required form, filled and assembled as a ZIP, ready for attorney review and filing.
Turn a complaint into a filing-ready case
Your first 3 cases are free. No card required.
Try SimpleCase freeSimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.