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Small claims by state · checked

Court: Justice court (small claims case). Claims up to $20,000. Each fact below links to the official source we read. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.

Limit

$20,000

No more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees (TRCP 500.3(a)). No separate lower limit for businesses was found.

Sources: How much can I sue for in a small claims court?; Justice Court 5: Small Claims Case · checked 25 Oct 2026

Filing fee

Set by each court

Set by county; total fees vary by county (Texas OCA). Example: Tarrant County Justice Court 5 charges a $54 filing fee plus a $75 constable fee per defendant served in the county.

Sources: Filing Fees & Court Costs: Justice Courts; Justice Court 5: Small Claims Case · checked 25 Oct 2026

Lawyers

Lawyers allowed

An individual may represent themselves or be represented by an attorney (TRCP 500.4).

Source: Do I need a lawyer for a small claims case? · checked 25 Oct 2026

Serving a corporation

See how

Sue the corporation through its registered agent (look it up in the Secretary of State's SOSDirect). Citation may be served by a sheriff or constable, a certified process server, or the court clerk by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested (TRCP 501.2).

Sources: Small Claims Cases: Filing Information; Small Claims Cases: Serving the Defendant · checked 25 Oct 2026

Demand before suing

Check with your court Not verified

We could not confirm this from an official source. Ask the court clerk before you file.

Official self-help

Court self-help page

guides.sll.texas.gov/small-claims

Official page · checked 25 Oct 2026

Suing Meta from Texas

Meta’s terms point disputes to California courts or arbitration and cap its liability, so a Texas small-claims case is leverage, not a sure thing. Read the small-claims checklist before you pay a fee, then draft your demand letter in the free kit: pick Texas and it checks your loss amount against the limit.

Fees and limits change, and local courts can add costs. Confirm with the court clerk before you file.

LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Draft the demand letter

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Texas small claims, answered

What is the small-claims limit in Texas?
No more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees (TRCP 500.3(a)). No separate lower limit for businesses was found.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Texas?
Set by county; total fees vary by county (Texas OCA). Example: Tarrant County Justice Court 5 charges a $54 filing fee plus a $75 constable fee per defendant served in the county. Local courts can add costs.
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims in Texas?
An individual may represent themselves or be represented by an attorney (TRCP 500.4).
Where do these facts come from?
Each fact on this page links to the official court, statute or government source we read. We last checked Texas on 25 Oct 2026. Anything we could not confirm says “Check with your court”.
Is this legal advice?
No. LockoutCase is a self-help tool, not a law firm, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. It shows general information from official sources; confirm with the court clerk before you file.