Gainesville, TX asked in Contracts, Business Law and Construction Law for Texas

Q: How do I file a lawsuit against someone who owes me around 30k?

This is for services rendered.

3 Lawyer Answers

A: Given the small amount involved, you might consider filing in county court at law pro se. Unfortunately, the jurisdictional limits of our JP courts is $20,000.

You might consider hiring an attorney if you are certain the proposed Defendant has more than sufficient non-exempt assets to satisfy any judgment. You do run the risk that legal fees will exceed what you are owed, and the Defendant could file bankruptcy.

A: Most court systems have do-it-yourself guidance for pro se litigants. If you feel more comfortable having an attorney handle the matter, try to arrange a free initial consult. That might help in your decision-making process. Good luck

A: Addendum - some court systems (and legal form companies) offer templates for documents, such as summons and complaints, etc. If you do contemplate handling the matter yourself, these can serve as a reference (although actual documents would need to be tailored to the specific action). Good luck

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