Where Do You File a Lawsuit in Texas? Understanding Court Options, Venue, and Jurisdiction

Introduction

When a legal dispute arises, one of the first questions people ask is “Where do I file a lawsuit?” In Texas, the answer depends on the type of case, the amount of money involved, and where the dispute occurred. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case or even lead to dismissal, so understanding how courts are structured is important.

This guide walks through the Texas courts where lawsuits can be filed, monetary limits, venue rules, and how to figure out the right court for your situation — in plain English.

Note: Certain lawsuits may be filed — or are required to be filed — in federal court, including cases involving diversity jurisdiction or a federal question (claims based on federal law or the U.S. Constitution). This article does not cover those scenarios.

The Texas Court System: The Basic Structure

www.Txcourts.gov provides a digestible diagram of the Texas court system here: https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1459447/court-structure-chart-september-2024.pdf

Civil lawsuits in Texas are generally filed in one of the following trial-level courts:

Justice Court (JP Court/Small Claims): Small disputes, evictions, simple debt claims; up to $20,000 in controversy; courts of no record (appeals to the county court start over from scratch).

County Court: Mid-range disputes; up to $250,000 amount in controversy depending on county.

District Court: Larger civil cases; higher complexity; no amount in controversy limit.

How Do You Figure Out the Right Court for Your Case?

1. The Amount in Controversy.

If the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000, you must file in district or statutory county court.

2. The Complexity of the Issues

JP Courts are built for straightforward cases — unpaid invoices, small contract disputes, minor property damage.

County and District Courts handle more complex matters — multiple parties, extensive damages, expert witnesses, business litigation.

If a case involves experts, technical evidence, or legal complexity, higher courts are often more appropriate even if damages don't exceed $20,000.

3. Procedure and Evidence Rules

JP Courts operate informally and the Texas Rules of Evidence and Texas Rules of Civil Procedure are not strictly observed. JP cases proceed to trial much faster than those in county or district court.

County and District Courts follow formal evidence and procedure rules, including discovery, motions practice, and courtroom presentation. Because these cases are generally more complex and frequently requires discovery, motions practice, experts, they take longer.

4. Type of Relief Requested

Certain remedies must be sought in District or Statutory County Courts, regardless of amount: injunctions, declaratory judgments, quiet title actions, and certain probate and family matters.

5. Proper Venue

Venue Matters.

Even if you know which court level fits your case, you still must file in the correct county, known as venue.

Venue is typically proper where:

1. The defendant lives, or

2. The events giving rise to the dispute occurred, or

3. A contract was signed or is to be performed, or

4. A statute specifies a required venue (e.g., certain property cases)

If venue is incorrect, the defendant can ask the court to transfer the case — adding time and cost.

Final Thoughts

Filing a lawsuit in Texas means choosing the right court level, the right county, and understanding monetary limits and venue rules. Justice Courts handle small disputes, County Courts cover the middle ground, and District Courts resolve larger and more complex cases. Because local rules vary by court, case allocation and procedural requirements may differ from one county to another. It's important to review the local rules for the court you plan to file in to ensure compliance before filing.

The court system can seem confusing, but knowing where a case belongs helps prevent delays and ensures the process starts correctly.