Texas Court Case Search: Find Your Debt Lawsuit Fast

Debt collectors count on you ignoring your lawsuit. They hope you won’t show up in court. You can prove them wrong by taking action today.

When you get sued for debt in Texas, you can check your case status online or at the courthouse. Most of Texas’s 254 counties offer online access to court records. You’ll find your case details, important dates, and filed documents.

Your first priority is responding to the lawsuit with an Answer. You have limited time to file your response. Missing the deadline means an automatic judgment against you.

Understanding Texas Civil Courts

Knowing which court handles your case helps you find records faster. Debt collection lawsuits are civil cases. The amount you allegedly owe determines which court hears your case.

Texas has five levels of civil courts:

Supreme Court

The highest civil court in Texas handles appeals from the Court of Appeals. Your debt case could reach here if it goes through multiple appeals.

Court of Appeals

Texas has 14 regional Courts of Appeals. These intermediate courts hear civil appeals and writ applications from their designated counties.

District Court

District Courts handle civil cases over $200. They also hear appeals from lower courts. Large debt lawsuits start here.

County Court

Every Texas county has at least one County Court. These courts hear civil cases between $200 and $20,000. They also handle appeals from Justice Court.

Justice of the Peace Court

Justice Courts hear civil cases up to $20,000. Small claims under $10,000 are handled here. Most debt collection lawsuits start in this court.

Your debt case will likely be filed in Justice Court, County Court, or District Court. The court depends on how much the collector claims you owe. Small claims cases move quickly. You could face judgment in under 60 days.

Don’t wait to respond. Our partner Solo helps you draft and file your Answer quickly.

Finding Your Case Number

Every Texas court case gets a unique number. Your case number includes the filing year, case type, court name, and a sequential number.

You can find your case number two ways:

• Visit the courthouse and request it from the clerk
• Search your county’s online portal using your name

Check the lawsuit papers you received. Your case number should appear on the summons or complaint. Write it down. You’ll need it to track your case online.

Accessing Court Records in Person

Visiting the courthouse gives you direct access to your case file. You can review all documents and speak with court staff.

Use the Texas courts directory to find your courthouse. Enter your county and court type. You’ll get the address, phone number, and website.

At the courthouse, ask the clerk to search your records. Provide your full name exactly as it appears on legal documents. Spelling matters. Some courthouses offer self-service terminals for searching records yourself.

Accessing Court Records Online

Online access is faster and more convenient. Most Texas counties offer public access portals. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney.

Searching by case number is easiest. You’ll instantly see all case details, filed documents, and upcoming court dates.

Appellate courts use a statewide search portal. Other courts provide county-level portals.

Texas County Court Record Portals

Below is a complete list of online portals for Texas counties:

If your county isn’t listed, online access may not be available. Contact your courthouse directly or visit in person.

Responding to Your Texas Debt Lawsuit

Finding your case is just the first step. You must file an Answer to the lawsuit. Your Answer is your formal response to the collector’s claims.

You have a limited time to respond. In Texas, you typically have until 10 AM on the Monday following 20 days after you were served. Missing this deadline results in a default judgment.

A default judgment means the collector wins automatically. They can garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, and put liens on your property.

Our partner Solo helps you create a proper Answer in minutes. The tool asks you simple questions and generates a court-ready document.

What to Include in Your Answer

Your Answer should address each claim the collector makes. You can admit claims, deny them, or state you don’t have enough information.

Include affirmative defenses. These are legal reasons why you shouldn’t have to pay. Common defenses include:

• The statute of limitations has expired
• The amount claimed is incorrect
• You already paid the debt
• The collector doesn’t own the debt
• The debt belongs to someone else

You can also request proof of the debt. Collectors must validate they own the debt and the amount is accurate.

Settling Your Texas Debt Case

You don’t have to go to trial. Many debt cases settle before court. Collectors often accept less than the full amount.

Settlement saves everyone time and money. You avoid a judgment on your record. The collector gets paid without going to court.

You can negotiate directly with the collector. Start by offering 30-50% of the total debt. Many collectors accept these offers.

Get everything in writing. Your settlement agreement should state the payment amount, payment terms, and that the debt will be considered paid in full.

Never give collectors direct access to your bank account. Make payments by money order or certified check.

Checking Statute of Limitations in Texas

Texas has time limits for filing lawsuits. These are called statutes of limitations. Once this period expires, collectors can’t legally sue you.

For most debt types in Texas, the statute of limitations is four years. The clock starts on your last payment or when you last used the account.

If the statute of limitations has passed, include it as an affirmative defense in your Answer. The collector must prove the debt is still within the time limit.

Be careful not to restart the clock. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can reset the statute of limitations.

What Happens After You File Your Answer

Filing your Answer stops the default judgment. The collector must now prove their case. The court will schedule a hearing or trial date.

You’ll receive notice of your court date. Mark it on your calendar. Showing up is critical. Bring all documents related to your debt.

At the hearing, the collector must prove you owe the debt. They need to show they own the debt, the amount is correct, and you haven’t paid.

You can challenge their evidence. Question whether they have proper documentation. Ask if they can prove the chain of ownership.

Many cases are dismissed when collectors can’t provide adequate proof. They often lack the original contract or proper assignment documents.

Protecting Yourself from Judgment

If the collector wins, they get a judgment against you. Judgments are serious. They damage your credit and give collectors powerful collection tools.

With a judgment, collectors can:

• Garnish up to 25% of your wages
• Freeze and seize money from your bank accounts
• Place liens on your property
• Renew the judgment for up to 10 years

Certain income and property are protected in Texas. Social Security benefits, disability payments, and retirement accounts usually can’t be seized. Your homestead and personal vehicle have strong protections.

The best protection is responding to the lawsuit immediately. Our partner Solo makes it easy to fight back and protect your rights.