{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "title": "Oblune · Articles (en)", "home_page_url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/", "feed_url": "https://oblune.pro/en/feed.json", "language": "en", "items": [ { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/how-to-sue-contractor-small-claims/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/how-to-sue-contractor-small-claims/", "title": "How to Sue a Contractor in Small Claims Court", "summary": "A Texas homeowner can sue a contractor in Justice Court small claims without a lawyer. Follow the filing sequence in order, from the signed petition to service of process.", "content_text": "A Houston homeowner paid a $3,500 deposit for a kitchen floor, watched the crew walk away after two days, and then found a stack of unanswered text messages. That is the moment you learn how to sue a contractor in small claims court in Texas. The Justice Court handles claims up to $20,000, excluding interest and costs, and self-representation is allowed. Rules change, so the court's current instructions control what you file and how.\n\n## Start with the money and the paperwork\nBefore you write anything, add up what you can document: the deposit, payments already made, and any extra cost you had to pay to finish the job. Keep the contract, change orders, invoices, receipts, and every text or email thread. If the claim rests on a written lease or contract, attach a copy of the pages you are relying on.\n\nMake a quick list of facts in date order: what you agreed to, what was paid, what was delivered, and what remains unfinished. That list becomes your Statement of Facts. It keeps the petition short and gives you a single place to check dates and dollar amounts.\n\n## Pick the Justice Court and the right precinct\nThe court sits in the county and precinct where the events happened or where ", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:49:06.723908+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:49:09.389324+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing", "how to sue a contractor in small claims court", "justice court filing fee Texas", "small claims court near me", "contractor took deposit and left" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/file-small-claims-texas-paperwork/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/file-small-claims-texas-paperwork/", "title": "How to File Small Claims in Texas: Your Paperwork Checklist", "summary": "Filing small claims in Texas starts with a complete paper package. Here is the document-by-document anatomy of what the justice court clerk wants to see, from the signed petition to the certificate of service.", "content_text": "## Start with the paper, not the panic\n\nYou have a dispute under $20,000 and you want to file in Texas justice court. The first thing the clerk will ask for is a complete filing package. If you miss one piece, the clerk may send it back. This guide walks through every document you need, in order, so you can walk in with confidence.\n\nIn Texas, justice courts handle small claims up to $20,000, not counting interest and costs. You can represent yourself. The filing fee is set by the court, so check the current schedule before you go. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs instead.\n\n## The petition: your story on paper\n\nThe heart of your package is the petition. It tells the judge what happened, what you want, and who is involved. The clerk needs one signed original and one copy for each defendant, plus one copy for the court file. That means if you are suing one person, you bring three copies total: the original and two copies.\n\nFormat the petition on letter-size paper with 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman, and double spacing. Number each paragraph. At the top, write the court name, the county and precinct, and leav", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:45:01.989296+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:45:03.903602+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/texas-small-claims-court-5-filing-mistakes-that-delay-your-case/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/texas-small-claims-court-5-filing-mistakes-that-delay-your-case/", "title": "Texas Small Claims Court: 5 Filing Mistakes That Delay Your Case", "summary": "", "content_text": "You’ve got a dispute under $20,000 and you’re ready to file in Texas small claims court. Maybe you’re owed money for a repair, a security deposit, or an unpaid invoice. You’ve gathered your paperwork, but before you walk into the justice court clerk’s office, there are five mistakes that get petitions rejected or delayed. Knowing them now can save you a trip back.\n\nHere’s the thing: the clerk’s job is to make sure your filing is complete. If something’s missing, they’ll hand it back to you. That’s not a judgment on your case—it’s a formality. But you can avoid the frustration by getting the basics right the first time.\n\n## 1. Unsigned Petition: The Most Common Killer\n\nYour petition must be signed in ink. Not typed, not a scanned signature—ink. The signature line at the end of your petition is where you sign your name, and beneath it you print your name, address, and phone number. If you forget to sign, the clerk will strike the pleading—that means it’s not accepted.\n\n**Fix:** Before you leave the house, check the last page. Sign it with a pen. Also, make sure your printed name, street address, and phone number are under the signature. The court needs to reach you for settings and f", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:44:58.721784+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:45:00.386321+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/security-deposit-demand-letter/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/security-deposit-demand-letter/", "title": "Security Deposit Demand Letter: Filing Sequence in Texas", "summary": "", "content_text": "You moved out, cleaned the place, and handed over the keys. Weeks later, your landlord keeps the deposit and sends a list of deductions that seem made up. You typed \"security deposit demand letter\" into Bing and now you're wondering what comes next. In Texas, you can take this to Justice Court – Small Claims (for claims up to $20,000). Here's the exact filing sequence, step by step, so you know what to prepare and when.\n\n## 1. Know the court and the limit\n\nJustice Court – Small Claims handles disputes up to $20,000, excluding interest and costs. That's the court for most security deposit cases. If your claim is for more than that, you'd need County Court at Law, but the limit there varies by county, so check with the clerk. You can represent yourself in either court; no lawyer is required.\n\nBefore you file, confirm you're in the right county and precinct. The events – like the lease signing or the property address – usually determine that. If you file in the wrong place, the clerk may reject your petition. The court's website or the clerk's office can tell you which precinct covers the property.\n\n## 2. Gather your documents first\n\nYou'll need the lease or rental agreement, especial", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:44:52.174406+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:44:53.853074+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "housing" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/sue-contractor-small-claims-track/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/sue-contractor-small-claims-track/", "title": "Sue a Contractor in Small Claims: Which Texas Track Fits", "summary": "When a contractor does shoddy work or leaves you with an unpaid bill, Texas offers two civil court tracks. Here's how to tell which one fits your case and what paperwork each requires.", "content_text": "## Your contractor did the work—or didn't—and now what?\n\nYou hired a contractor to redo your bathroom, paid a deposit, and then the work stopped. Or the roof they fixed still leaks. Or they finished the job but you never paid the full invoice. You're thinking: *sue contractor small claims*. But which court? In Texas, you have two main options: Justice Court for small claims and County Court at Law. The right track depends on the amount you're fighting over and the paperwork you're willing to file.\n\nThis guide compares the two tracks and shows you which facts belong in each filing. It's not legal advice—just a map of the road ahead.\n\n## Justice Court small claims: up to $20,000\n\nJustice Court in Texas handles civil claims of $20,000 or less, excluding interest and court costs. That's the court most people think of for small claims. You can represent yourself, and the filing process is straightforward.\n\nFor this track, you file an original petition plus one copy for each defendant. The format is specific: letter-size paper, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, double-spaced, numbered paragraphs, and a caption with the parties' names and addresses. You sign in ink and include a certificate ", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:44:45.633565+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:44:47.339919+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "consumer" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/unpaid-invoice-evidence-file/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/unpaid-invoice-evidence-file/", "title": "Unpaid Invoice Small Claims: Build Your Evidence File", "summary": "When someone owes you money for work you did, the right paperwork can make your small claims case clearer. Here's how to build an evidence file for Texas Justice Court.", "content_text": "## You finished the job, but the check never came\n\nYou painted the fence, fixed the sink, or delivered the goods. The invoice went out on time. The customer said they'd pay. Then the silence. Now you're wondering if you should take the unpaid invoice to small claims court in Texas. Before you file, the smartest thing you can do is build an evidence file that tells your story in order. The clerk and the judge need to see what happened, when it happened, and what you have to prove it.\n\nIn Texas, a Justice Court – Small Claims case handles claims up to $20,000, excluding interest and costs. That's where most unpaid invoices land. You can represent yourself. The filing fee is set by the court, and you can ask for a fee waiver if you can't pay. But the real work starts before you walk in the door: organizing your documents.\n\n## What the court wants to see\n\nYour petition is the first thing the clerk sees. It needs a caption with the court name, your name and address, and the respondent's name and address. The clerk uses that to issue service of process, so a wrong address can send your case back. Keep your petition on letter-size paper, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, double-spaced, with ", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:43:43.296620+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:43:45.387200+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "business" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/justice-court-texas-small-claims/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/justice-court-texas-small-claims/", "title": "Justice Court Texas Small Claims: Which Filing Track Fits Your Case", "summary": "If you're suing for $20,000 or less in Texas, the justice court small claims track is likely your starting point. This article compares that track with the county court at law option and shows you which facts belong in each filing.", "content_text": "## You have a claim. Which Texas court do you file in?\n\nLet's say a contractor did work on your house and you never got paid. Or a neighbor's tree fell on your fence. Or a store sold you a defective appliance and won't refund you. The amount you're owed is under $20,000. Where do you go?\n\nIn Texas, the justice court small claims track is built for claims of $20,000 or less, excluding interest and costs. That's the court you'll likely use. If your claim is bigger—up to $250,000 in some counties—you might be in the county court at law. But the limits vary by county)Skip, so you need to check your county's own limit before you file.\n\nThis article compares the two tracks and shows you which facts belong in each filing. The goal is to help you prepare a clean petition that the clerk can process without delay.\n\n## The justice court small claims track: what it covers\n\nThe justice court small claims track is for money disputes, eviction defenses, insurance claim disputes, consumer problems, property damage, and unpaid invoices or services. The amount in dispute must be $20,000 or less, not counting interest and court costs.\n\nYou can represent yourself. The filing format is specific: file t", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:43:40.002336+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:43:42.193439+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing", "justice court texas small claims", "county court at law civil", "small claims petition" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/texas-small-claims-limit-filing-order/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/texas-small-claims-limit-filing-order/", "title": "Small Claims Court Texas Limit: Flash Justice Filing Order", "summary": "Step-by-step filing sequence for Texas small claims, from checking the limit to serving the defendant, with common rejection reasons to avoid.", "content_text": "## Start with the Right Court and the Right Limit\n\nYou’re out $1,200 because a contractor took a deposit and never showed up, or a tenant skipped out owing rent. You’ve sent texts, maybe a demand letter, and now you’re ready to file in Justice Court. Good move—Texas Justice Courts handle small claims up to $20,000, not counting interest and court costs. That’s your “flash justice” route: quicker, simpler, and designed for people like you.\n\nBefore you draft anything, confirm your claim fits the limit. If your demand is $20,000 or less, Justice Court is likely your place. If it’s over that, you’d be in County Court at Law, which has higher limits but different rules. For most everyday disputes—unpaid invoices, security deposits, damaged goods—the Justice Court limit covers you.\n\nAlso, check you’re filing in the right county and precinct. Usually that’s where the defendant lives or where the events happened. If you file in the wrong place, the clerk may reject it, and you’ll lose time.\n\n## Know the Filing Sequence: What to Do First\n\nHere’s the order you’ll act in, step by step. Follow it exactly to avoid delays.\n\n1. **Gather your facts and evidence.** Get the contract, lease, text mes", "date_published": "2026-10-24T04:13:20.429908+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-24T04:13:22.693419+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing", "justice court filing fee texas", "small claims court texas limit 20000", "how to file small claims in texas", "texas small claims petition checklist" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] }, { "id": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/small-claims-texas-tracks/", "url": "https://oblune.pro/en/articles/small-claims-texas-tracks/", "title": "Small Claims Court in Texas: Which Track Fits Your Case", "summary": "If you're owed money, had property damaged, or are defending an eviction, Texas justice court has a track for your claim. This guide compares the tracks and lists the facts each one needs.", "content_text": "## You're owed $500 for a repair, but the other side won't pay. Or your landlord filed an eviction notice. Or your new phone died after a week. Where do you start?\n\nIn Texas, many small disputes go to justice court, which handles claims up to $20,000 (not counting interest and court costs). The court has different \"tracks\" for different types of disputes. Each track asks for different facts. Picking the right track helps you file a clear, complete petition—and avoids the clerk sending it back for missing information.\n\nThis article walks through the tracks this service covers and what facts belong in each. You'll see how the same event can fit more than one track, and why it matters.\n\n## The Tracks at a Glance\n\nHere are the dispute types this pack covers, with the key facts each one needs:\n\n- **Small debt claim**: You're owed money. You need the amount, how you calculated it, and what you said to the other side.\n- **Eviction defense (tenant side)**: You're fighting an eviction. You need your own account of what happened, the notices you received, and the payments you made.\n- **Insurance claim dispute**: Your claim was denied or delayed. You need the policy documents, the claim dates", "date_published": "2026-10-22T05:20:28.508773+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-10-22T05:20:30.451258+00:00", "language": "en", "tags": [ "filing" ], "authors": [ { "name": "Oblune Editorial" } ] } ] }