Small claims limit in Texas: $20,000

The rule in Texas

The small claims limit in Texas is $20,000. The rule is Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031(a)(1); the Texas State Law Library, Small Claims guide puts it this way: “The limit to the amount that a person can sue for in small claims cases is $20,000.” The court that hears these cases: Justice court (small claims cases).

Among the 51 jurisdictions with a verified figure on this site, Texas ranks 3rd from the top. That is $10,000 above the median of $10,000. It is 8 times Kentucky's $2,500 floor and 80% of the $25,000 top figure. Minnesota, Utah and West Virginia use the same $20,000 figure.

Next door, Arkansas allows $5,000, Louisiana allows $5,000, New Mexico allows $10,000 and Oklahoma allows $10,000. A claim of $20,000 that fits in Texas would be $15,000 over the line in Arkansas.

Worked check against the $20,000 figure: a $10,000 claim uses 50% of the limit and leaves $10,000 of room; a claim of exactly $20,000 still fits, because the rule caps the amount rather than excluding it; a claim of $20,001 is $1 over.

The source checked for Texas does not publish a statewide filing fee, so this page shows none; the clerk of the court where the case is filed posts the current amount.

Deposit disputes are a common small claims case. Texas sets no cap on deposits (deposit rules), so a deposit larger than $20,000 could not be claimed in full in small claims; the landlord's return deadline there is 30 days.

Source: Texas State Law Library, Small Claims guide · Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031(a)(1) · last checked October 20, 2026.

Where the case goes

A claim within the limit is filed with the Justice court (small claims cases). The linked source is the place to confirm forms, the filing fee and where to file before starting; the guides on filing a small claims case and serving the papers explain the usual steps in general terms.