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DLDemand Letter Builder

We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. This tool helps you format a letter using the facts you provide. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or your local legal aid organization.

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Texas small claims demand letter

Texas justice courts have original jurisdiction of civil matters, when exclusive jurisdiction is not in the district or county court, in which the amount in controversy is not more than $20,000, exclusive of interest. That is the court people often mean by small claims in Texas. This page does not state that a demand letter is required before every justice-court case, because no statute saying that was verified here.

Court limits and filing rules change. Read the official page linked below. This summary is not a statement that your claim belongs in that court, and it is not legal advice.

Dollar limit

Not more than $20,000, exclusive of interest.

Government Code § 27.031(a)(1) gives the justice court original jurisdiction of civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is not in the district or county court and in which the amount in controversy is not more than $20,000, exclusive of interest. Subsection (b) excludes suits for divorce, slander or defamation, trial of title to land, enforcement of a lien on land, and a suit on behalf of the state to recover a penalty, forfeiture, or escheat.

Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031(a)(1). Texas Constitution and Statutes, Government Code § 27.031. Last verified: 2026-11-10.

Where a case is filed

Justice court, often called justice of the peace court.

Section 27.031 places this civil jurisdiction in the justice court. The Texas State Law Library's security-deposit guide tells tenants that when less than $20,000 is involved they can sue in the local justice court, and it points to the same jurisdictional statute.

Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031. Texas State Law Library, security deposit refunds. Last verified: 2026-11-10.

Demand before filing

We did not verify a rule that a letter is required before every Texas small claims filing.

Free sample with blanks

[Date]
[Your name]
[Your address]

[Name of the person or business]
[Their address]

Re: Demand for $[amount] — [short description]

Dear [Name],

On [date], [describe the agreement, the goods or services, or the damage, using only what happened]. The amount I am asking for is $[amount].

Court limit checked for Texas: Not more than $20,000, exclusive of interest. (Tex. Gov't Code § 27.031(a)(1)).

This page has not verified a rule that a letter is required before every case. Sending one is still a common way to ask for payment and to keep a record.

Please pay $[amount] within [14] days by [check or money order]. I can provide [receipts, photos, the contract, or messages].

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Sample note: the court figure above comes from Texas Constitution and Statutes, Government Code § 27.031, last verified 2026-11-10. Laws change. This sample is a formatting example, not legal advice.

Official and free resources

California · All small claims states · New York

Draft a Texas letter

Letter type

Name a method such as check or money order. Do not enter account, routing, or card numbers.

Evidence you can attach or describe

0 / 1,500 words. Stick to dates, amounts, and what you saw. Do not add a Social Security number or account number.

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