Texas lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
Texas has small claims cases up to $20,000, a 2-year personal injury filing deadline. Lawyers in Texas bill an average of $366 an hour in Clio's 2025 data. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
Texas legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $20,000 (excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney fees)[1] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $54 in Tarrant County Justice Court 1; other counties differ (varies by county)[1] |
| District Court civil filing fee | Not verified yet — ask the court clerk |
| Divorce filing fee | Varies by county district clerk. |
| Personal injury deadline | 2 years from the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003(a))[2] |
| Attorney fee caps | Workers' compensation: the claimant attorney fee is limited to 25% of each weekly income benefit payment, up to 25% of total income benefits (28 TAC 152.1(c), implementing Labor Code 408.221).[3] |
| Average lawyer rate | $366/hour (Clio, 2025 data for Texas)[4] |
What lawyers charge in Texas
Clio's Legal Trends data puts the average billed rate in Texas at $366 per hour, against $349 nationally[4]. That is an average across law firms that use Clio's software, not a quote: rates depend on the practice area, the lawyer's experience and the city.
Illustrative budget at $366/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $366; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,830; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $7,320, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in Texas
Small claims cases are heard in the Justice Court (small claims cases). You can ask for up to $20,000 (excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney fees)[1].
- Filing fee: $54 in Tarrant County Justice Court 1; other counties differ Fees vary by county, so confirm with your local clerk.
- Serving the other side: In Tarrant County, the constable fee is $90 for each person served in-county; for out-of-county service, the plaintiff arranges and pays the serving agency.
- Court self-help: Texas court self-help resources
See how Texas compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
District Court: not verified yet; ask the clerk of court.
Divorce: no single statewide amount verified. Varies by county district clerk.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 2 years from the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003(a))[2]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: Workers' compensation: the claimant attorney fee is limited to 25% of each weekly income benefit payment, up to 25% of total income benefits (28 TAC 152.1(c), implementing Labor Code 408.221).[3]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for Texas; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.
Free and low-cost legal help in Texas
- Legal aid: TexasLawHelp.org (Texas Legal Services Center). Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[5].
- Lawyer referral: State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service — (800) 252-9690. Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Jefferson, Travis and Tarrant Counties are referred to local certified services..
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in Texas?
$20,000 (excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney fees), in the Justice Court (small claims cases).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Texas?
$54 in Tarrant County Justice Court 1; other counties differ Fees vary by county. Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas?
Generally 2 years from the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003(a)). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
Sources
- Tarrant County Justice Court 1, Small Claim Cases (checked October 11, 2026)
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 16 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, Rule 152 document (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)