Updated 2026-08-05 · Governing law: Tex. Prop. Code ch. 24 (SB 38, eff. Jan. 1, 2026); Tex. R. Civ. P. 510 · Court: Justice of the Peace Court
| Ground | Notice period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment (first delinquency) | 3 days — pay-rent-or-vacate form | Lease may change the period |
| Nonpayment (repeat) | 3 days — either form | |
| Holdover / end of term | 3 days | |
| Federally backed mortgage (CARES) | 30 days | No sunset; screened on every case |
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Notice served | Day 1–3 |
| Petition e-filed | Day 4 |
| Constable serves citation | By 5th business day |
| Trial | Day 14–24 |
| Appeal window closes | +5 days |
| Writ of possession | Day 6 after judgment; 24-hr posted warning |
Yes — Tex. Prop. Code § 24.011 allows non-lawyer agents in Justice Court. But agents cannot handle an appeal for your LLC in county court, and notice defects by non-lawyers are the most common way cases die. Our flat fee puts a licensed attorney on it from the start.
Court costs run about $134–$171 for filing and service plus $175–$405 for the writ depending on county. Our flat attorney fee is $999, with your county's exact costs itemized before you pay.
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Author: The Ledger Law Firm. This guide summarizes state law as of the update date; statutes and local rules change. Nothing here is legal advice or a guarantee of outcome. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.
