Court Fees Small Claims Case

[jj123]

Thanks for everyone's help. I will file on Monday.

 

[quincy]

Thanks for everyone's help. I will file on Monday.

We all appreciate the thanks, jj123, so thank you.

I wish you good luck with your lawsuit and collecting the money that is owed.

 

[jj123]

I'm back.

The efile system in Houston is asking for the FILING CODE

https://efile.txcourts.gov/ofsweb

The 3 options are: Affidavit, Petition, Proposed Order.

It then asks for the following information:

FILE DESCRIPTION

CLIENT REFERENCE NUMBER

COMMENTS TO COURT

COURTESY COPIES

I'm not sure what that means.

Thanks for your help.

 

[quincy]

I believe the link you provided has the answers you are seeking.

See: http://www.efiletexas.gov/documents/Technology_Standards_012019.pdf

We cannot help you fill in your complaint but you start by filing a “petition.”

 

[jj123]

I read that document previously but it didn't answer my questions.

 

[Zigner]

I read that document previously but it didn't answer my questions.

Then you should consider speaking to an attorney for assistance.

 

[quincy]

I read that document previously but it didn't answer my questions.

There are under “Self Help” in your link both “need help” and “contact us“ links where you can ask questions - or you could select a different efile site from those listed on the government website to see if their instructions are easier for you to follow, or you could fill out a paper complaint rather than efiling.

 

[jj123]

I just got off the phone with a clerk at a court house and he mentioned I should send a certified demand letter before going to small claims court. What do you think about his suggestion.

 

[quincy]

I just got off the phone with a clerk at a court house and he mentioned I should send a certified demand letter before going to small claims court. What do you think about his suggestion.

A court clerk cannot offer (or, rather, should not offer) legal advice. That said, sending a formal demand letter informing of a lawsuit to follow if the demand to pay is not met, can be done prior to filing suit.

You should read the information in the “self-help, filing a small claims case” link provided to you in Post Number 4.

 

[Zigner]

A court clerk cannot offer (or, rather, should not offer) legal advice. That said, sending a formal demand letter informing of a lawsuit to follow if the demand to pay is not met, can be done prior to filing suit.

You should read the information in the “self-help, filing a small claims case” link provided to you in Post Number 4.

If a demand letter is not required by law, then suggesting that one be sent really isn't practicing law.

The OP should review the following site:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/small-claims

 

[quincy]

If a demand letter is not required by law, then suggesting that one be sent really isn't practicing law.

The OP should review the following site:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/small-claims

It is making a suggestion on how to handle a case.

The link I provided earlier has easy to understand instructions on filing a small claims case.

 

[Zigner]

It is making a suggestion on how to handle a case.

The link I provided earlier has easy to understand instructions on filing a small claims case.

The courts suggest sending such a letter. It is a suggestion made by the courts for all small claims cases. It is not legal advice.

 

[quincy]

The courts suggest sending such a letter. It is a suggestion made by the courts for all small claims cases. It is not legal advice.

Okay. However, it is stated in the link I provided that “the court is not allowed to give you advice on ... whether you should file a case ...”

A demand letter is not necessary but if jj123 wants to send one, it doesn’t necessarily hurt except to delay filing suit.

 

[Zigner]

Okay. However, it is stated in the link I provided that “the court is not allowed to give you advice on ... whether you should file a case ...”

A demand letter is not necessary but if jj123 wants to send one, it doesn’t necessarily hurt except to delay filing suit.

Fair enough

 

[quincy]

Fair enough

I don’t think most people would press the issue either way. It would only hurt a future plaintiff if the deadline for filing a lawsuit passes because a demand letter is sent instead of filing suit within the limitations period. Here, jj123 appears to have time for both.