{"uid":"cap_d647mq1JP6d10t2IQVUN_","slug":"legalpulse-small-claims-filing-guide-24983bf7","name":"LegalPulse Small Claims Filing Guide","description":"Small-claims court filing guide and how-to-sue walkthrough: dollar limits, filing fees, service rules, evidence checklist, timeline, and day-of-court tips by state for security deposits, car accidents, contractor disputes, and unpaid invoices. For legal, consumer-rights, and pro-se agents.","url":"https://legalpulse-rho.vercel.app/api/legal/small-claims","method":"GET","headers":{},"bodySchema":{"type":"object","$schema":"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema","required":["input"],"properties":{"input":{"type":"object","required":["type","method"],"properties":{"type":{"type":"string","const":"http"},"method":{"enum":["GET","HEAD","DELETE"],"type":"string"},"queryParams":{"type":"object","properties":{"state":{"type":"string","description":"CA | TX | NY | FL | IL | WA | CO"},"situation":{"type":"string","description":"security deposit | car accident | contractor dispute | unpaid invoice"}}}},"additionalProperties":false},"output":{"type":"object","required":["type"],"properties":{"type":{"type":"string"},"errors":{"type":"object","description":"Documented error responses, keyed by HTTP status code","additionalProperties":{"type":"object","required":["description"],"properties":{"example":{"type":"object"},"description":{"type":"string"}}}},"example":{"type":"object"}}}}},"responseSchema":{"type":"json","example":{"state":"CA","steps":["File claim at courthouse","Serve defendant (15 days before hearing)","Bring evidence","Collect judgment"],"max_claim":12500,"filing_fee":75,"timeline_weeks":8,"success_rate_with_evidence":0.71}},"example":{"request":{"type":"contract-breach","state":"Texas","amount":"3200","situation":"I was charged $3,200 by a contractor for home repairs that were never completed. I want to file a small claims court case to recover the full amount."},"response":{"raw":"{\n  \"state\": \"Texas\",\n  \"dollar_limit\": \"$20,000 (not including court costs and interest) — your $3,200 claim is well within the limit\",\n  \"filing_fee\": \"$46–$100 depending on the county; for a $3,200 claim expect approximately $54–$80 in most Texas counties (Harris County ~$54, Travis County ~$75, Dallas County ~$68)\",\n  \"where_to_file\": \"Justice Court (also called Justice of the Peace Court or 'JP Court') in the precinct where the contractor lives OR where the contract was performed — meaning where your home is located. Texas has 8 precincts per county. Look up your precinct at your county's official website (e.g., harriscountytx.gov, dallascounty.org) or call your county clerk. Search '[Your County] Justice Court precinct finder' to locate the right courthouse. File where the work was supposed to be done — your home address — which is almost certainly the most convenient option for you.\",\n  \"statute_of_limitations\": \"4 years for written contracts (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.004); 4 years for oral contracts as well under Texas law. If your contractor agreement was in writing, you have 4 years from the date the breach occurred (typically when you paid and they failed to perform). Do not wait — file promptly so evidence stays fresh.\",\n  \"service_method\": \"After filing, the court will issue a citation. You do NOT serve the defendant yourself. In Texas Justice Court, service is handled by: (1) Constable or Sheriff — most reliable and court-preferred; the clerk will send the citation to the constable's office; fee is typically $75–$125. (2) Certified Mail — court clerk can serve by certified mail, return receipt requested; cheaper (~$15) but if the contractor refuses or doesn't pick up, it fails. (3) Private process server — allowed but less common in JP court. Strongly recommend constable service for a contractor who may be evasive. If the contractor cannot be located, you can request substituted service via a judge's order. Make sure you have the contractor's current business address AND home address before filing.\",\n  \"step_by_step\": [\n    \"Step 1 — DEMAND LETTER FIRST (strongly recommended): Before filing, send a written demand letter via certified mail to the contractor stating: the amount paid ($3,200), the work that was never completed, and a deadline to refund (10–14 days is standard). Keep the green return-receipt card. Texas judges expect you tried to resolve it first. This letter also restarts the clock on their opportunity to cure.\",\n    \"Step 2 — GATHER YOUR EVIDENCE: Pull together all contracts, receipts, bank/credit card statements showing payment, text messages, emails, photos of unfinished work, and any witnesses. Organize chronologically before you file.\",\n    \"Step 3 — FIND YOUR JUSTICE COURT: Identify the correct Justice Court precinct based on where your home (the job site) is located. Call the court clerk to confirm filing procedures — some Texas JP courts allow online filing, others require in person.\",\n    \"Step 4 — COMPLETE THE PETITION: Fill out the 'Petition in Justice Court' form (available at the courthouse or Texas Courts website: txcourts.gov). State clearly: you paid $3,200 on [date], contractor agreed to perform [specific repairs], contractor failed to complete the work, you are owed $3,200 plus court costs. Be factual and specific.\",\n    \"Step 5 — FILE AND PAY THE FEE: Submit your petition at the Justice Court clerk's window. Pay the filing fee ($46–$100). The clerk will assign a case number and schedule a hearing date — typically 20–40 days out in Texas JP courts.\",\n    \"Step 6 — ARRANGE SERVICE ON THE DEFENDANT: Request that the constable serve the citation on the contractor. Provide the contractor's full legal name, business name (if applicable), and address. Pay the constable fee (~$75–$125). Confirm with the clerk that service was completed before your hearing date.\",\n    \"Step 7 — PREPARE YOUR CASE: Organize all evidence into a neat packet. Make 3 copies: one for yourself, one for the judge, one for the defendant. Prepare a simple 1-page written timeline of events. Write out what you want to say in 3–5 minutes — practice it.\",\n    \"Step 8 — APPEAR AT YOUR HEARING: Arrive 30 minutes early. Check in with the clerk. Bring all original documents plus copies. Speak calmly and directly to the judge. Present your evidence systematically: here is the contract, here is proof I paid, here is proof the work was never done.\",\n    \"Step 9 — RECEIVE JUDGMENT: The judge typically rules the same day in Texas JP court. If you win, you receive a written judgment. Keep this document — you will need it to collect.\",\n    \"Step 10 — COLLECT YOUR MONEY: If the contractor doesn't pay voluntarily within the time the judge specifies, pursue enforcement (see below).\"\n  ],\n  \"evidence_checklist\": [\n    \"Written contract or work agreement signed by both parties — this is your most powerful document\",\n    \"Any written estimate, quote, or scope-of-work document from the contractor\",\n    \"Proof of payment: bank statement, cancelled check, credit card statement, Venmo/Zelle/CashApp records showing $3,200 transferred\",\n    \"Receipt or invoice from contractor if they provided one\",\n    \"Dated photos or video of your home showing the work was NOT completed (take these now if you haven't)\",\n    \"'Before' photos if you have them showing the original condition\",\n    \"All text messages and emails between you and the contractor — screenshot and print every exchange\",\n    \"Your certified mail demand letter AND the green return-receipt card (proof they received your demand)\",\n    \"Any written responses from the contractor (promises to return, excuses, non-responses)\",\n    \"Texas contractor license number if they are licensed (check at license.state.tx.us) — unlicensed contractors committing fraud strengthens your case\",\n    \"Names and contact info of any witnesses (neighbors who watched, family members present when contractor was there)\",\n    \"Quotes from other contractors showing the cost to complete the unfinished work (supports damages)\",\n    \"Any permit records pulled — or NOT pulled — for the work (check with your city/county building department)\",\n    \"BBB complaints or other complaints against the contractor (Google reviews, Yelp) — shows pattern of behavior\"\n  ],\n  \"day_of_court_tips\": [\n    \"Arrive 30 minutes early — JP courts in Texas can be busy; you need time to check in, find the right room, and settle your nerves\",\n    \"Dress professionally — business casual at minimum; first impressions matter even in JP court\",\n    \"Bring 3 copies of every document — one for you to reference, one to hand the judge, one for the defendant\",\n    \"Speak ONLY to the judge, not to the contractor — do not argue with them, do not let them bait you into a side conversation\",\n    \"Open with one sentence: 'Your Honor, I paid this contractor $3,200 on [date] for work that was never completed, and I am asking the court to order a refund of that amount.'\",\n    \"Stick to facts and dollar amounts — judges in small claims court do not want to hear about your emotional frustration; they want dates, amounts, and documents\",\n    \"When you hand over evidence, narrate it: 'This is Exhibit A, my bank statement showing the $3,200 payment on March 15th'\",\n    \"If the contractor makes a false claim, calmly say 'Your Honor, I have documentation that contradicts that' — then show it; do not interrupt\",\n    \"Bring your demand letter and return receipt — shows the judge you acted reasonably before filing\",\n    \"If the contractor brings a lawyer (they can in JP court in Texas), do not be intimidated — you have documents; present them methodically\",\n    \"Do not exaggerate or claim amounts you cannot prove — judges penalize overreach\",\n    \"Ask explicitly: 'I also request reimbursement of my court costs and service fees' — the judge needs to hear this request\"\n  ],\n  \"what_you_can_recover\": [\n    \"The full $3,200 you paid for unperformed work\",\n    \"Court filing fees (typically awarded to prevailing plaintiff in Texas JP court)\",\n    \"Service/constable fees\",\n    \"Pre-judgment interest (Texas allows 6","disclaimer":"For informational purposes only. Not legal advice.","parse_error":true,"generated_at":"2026-06-16T18:56:57.553Z"}},"exampleRequest":{"type":"contract-breach","state":"Texas","amount":"3200","situation":"I was charged $3,200 by a contractor for home repairs that were never completed. I want to file a small claims court case to recover the full amount."},"tags":["x402"],"displayCostAmount":"0.08","displayCostAsset":"USDC","priceDynamic":false,"priceHint":null,"priceStatus":"priced","priceSource":"settled","requiresHandshake":false,"reviewCount":0,"rating":{"score":"0.00","successRate":"0.00","reviews":0,"stars":null,"state":"unrated"},"availabilityStatus":"unknown","priceObserved":null,"sessionDeposit":null,"pricing":{"kind":"static","summary":"$0.08/call","primary":{"kind":"static","protocol":"x402","network":"base","amountUsd":"0.08","per":"call","confidence":"exact"},"accepted":[{"kind":"static","protocol":"x402","network":"base","amountUsd":"0.08","per":"call","confidence":"exact"}]},"paymentMethods":[{"uid":"pm_geq3FX73d5hx-bAulCANN","protocol":"x402","methodType":"crypto","chain":"base","mode":"charge","costAmount":"0.08","costPer":"request","priority":0,"asset":"0x833589fCD6eDb6E08f4c7C32D4f71b54bdA02913","unit":"request","depositMicros":null,"planRef":null}],"brandName":null,"brandSlug":null,"brandBaseUrl":null,"brandDocsUrl":null,"whatItDoes":"Returns a state-specific small claims court filing guide including dollar limits, filing fees, service rules, evidence checklist, and day-of-court tips","exampleAgentPrompt":"I need to sue my contractor for $4,500 in Texas — can you pull up the small claims court filing guide for Texas, including the dollar limit, filing fees, how to serve them, what evidence to bring, and any tips for the day of court?","exampleUseCases":null,"resultDescription":"A structured guide covering the state's small claims dollar cap, applicable filing fees, service of process requirements, an evidence checklist tailored to the claim type, and practical tips for presenting the case on the day of the hearing.","failureModes":["Unsupported or unrecognized state returns an error or empty result","Claim amount exceeds small claims limit — guide may flag this but cannot redirect to other courts","Stale data if state law recently changed — verify with court directly","Missing or invalid state parameter causes a 400-level error"],"whenToPreferThis":"Choose this endpoint when a user needs state-specific, procedural guidance for filing or preparing a small claims court case — especially when they need dollar limits, fee schedules, service rules, and evidence tips in one consolidated response. Prefer over general legal Q&A services when the user has a specific state and dispute in mind.","instructions":null,"reviewSummary":null,"reviewSummaryHighlights":null,"reviewSummaryConcerns":null,"reviewSummaryGeneratedAt":null,"activationCount":0,"lastUsedAt":null,"lastSuccessfullyRanAt":null,"lastHealthCheckAt":"2026-09-14T18:39:52.095Z","isFirstParty":false}