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Ellis County resolves money disputes up to $20,000 in the small-claims court: simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
What follows covers the maximum you can claim in Ellis County, court fees, the right courthouse, serving the defendant, the deadlines that apply, and the filing process itself. Squabble handles the documents and the filing if you want that.
Ellis County runs several hub courthouses for these cases. Assignment follows the ZIP code of the defendant or of the dispute itself.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Confirm the courthouse before you file. The court's own small-claims page carries its current filing location and hours, and Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
3 courthouses serve Ellis County, Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court: Precinct 1 - Small Claims among them. The nearest counties to Ellis County are Navarro County and Hill County.
This court takes small-claims filings on paper, in person or by mail. Squabble prepares everything so your packet arrives filing-ready.
Small claims are heard at the courthouse, in person.
Have copies of your evidence for the bench and for the other party. Some courts take documents electronically before the hearing as well.
Residents of Ellis County, Texas, which has a population of 232,387 and includes towns such as Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, Palmer, and Italy, can file small claims cases in the Justice Court of Texas system, where the claim limit is $20,000. Three locations handle these matters. The Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court: Precinct 1 - Small Claims sits at 207 S Sonoma Trail in Ennis, 75119, and can be reached at (972) 825-5319. The Ellis County Justice Court Precinct 2 is at 701 S Interstate 35 East, Suite 1, in Waxahachie, 75165, at (972) 825-5022, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed Saturday and Sunday. The Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court - Precinct 4 is at 301 N 8th St. in Midlothian, 76065, at (972) 825-5310, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Electronic filing is not available. Ellis County lies near Navarro County, Hill County, and Dallas County.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
Ellis County covers these 12 towns and cities:
Avalon, Bardwell, Ennis, Ferris, Forreston, Italy, Maypearl, Midlothian, Milford, Palmer, Red Oak, Waxahachie.
ZIP codes:
Ellis County holds about 232,387 people, 25th of the 254 counties in Texas. Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court: Precinct 1 - Small Claims, in Ennis, is about 9 miles from the Navarro County courthouse in Corsicana and 25 miles from the Hill County courthouse in Whitney.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
Everyday disputes over money belong in the small claims division, where the rules are simplified, and the sum in question has an upper bound.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
The remedy here is money. Orders telling someone to do or stop something sit with higher courts.
An attorney may appear at the hearing in Texas, though nobody has to have one. The process assumes you will speak for yourself.
Where a party is under 18, the court appoints a guardian to act.
Over the limit? You can lower your claim to fit and stay in small claims, or file the full amount in regular civil court. Lowering usually means giving up the excess, so weigh it carefully.
Ellis County is under the same limits as nearby Navarro County and Hill County. These are the limits for Ellis County, population about 232,387.
This court handles money claims to a ceiling of $20,000. Below are the kinds of case filed most often.
Ellis County takes in Avalon, Bardwell and Ennis and the rest of the county. Ellis County has about 232,387 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Complete the claim form, choose the right court, and pay the filing fee.
The defendant receives the papers through formal service and can reply or negotiate an end to it.
The hearing is informal and quick, sometimes by video, and the judge decides on the spot or sends the outcome later.
This is the route an Ellis County case takes, whether it starts in 75101 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Ellis County Justice of the Peace Court: Precinct 1 - Small Claims publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
Filing is only half of it. The defendant has to receive formal notice, a step called service of process, and in most cases you cannot hand over the papers yourself.
The options usually include a sheriff or constable, a licensed process server, certified mail sent by the clerk, or any adult with no stake in the case. What is allowed, and what it costs, differs from county to county.
Every court fixes a minimum number of days between service and the hearing. The clerk will tell you what it is for your case.
A completed proof of service records who delivered the papers and when, and it is filed with the court beforehand.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
An Ellis County address carries one of its 15 ZIP codes, 75101, 75119 and 75120 among them. Navarro County and Hill County are the counties nearest to Ellis County.
Every claim carries a filing window that opens when the dispute happens. Once it closes, the court can turn the case away.
| Type of claim | How long you have |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
They do not change from one Ellis County ZIP code to another, 75101 included. The same periods apply in Ellis County as in nearby Navarro County and Hill County, which are in the same state.
Money owed under a contract in Texas generally accrues interest at 6% per year before judgment (Tex. Fin. Code §302.002).
Interest can be calculated before filing using the Squabble interest calculator.
The rate above is the one for Ellis County, population about 232,387. It is the same rate across all 15 Ellis County ZIP codes.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
State the party's full legal name, explain the events, and set out the calculation.
File at the Ellis County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $45–$100 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
After the hearing date is issued, arrange delivery of the papers and file the proof with the court.
Put the evidence in order, with exhibits marked, so the account is easy to follow.
Appear in person or, where available, remotely, present your case, and receive the court's decision.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →Three documents recur: the claim form that begins it, the proof of service confirming delivery, and a fee waiver if eligible. Names vary locally; Squabble selects the correct versions.
Avalon, Bardwell and Ennis are among the places in Ellis County that filings come from. Ellis County takes in filings from 15 ZIP codes, 75101 first in the list.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
Ellis County has about 232,387 residents. Ellis County hearings are held at one of its 3 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed.
A judgment says what is owed. Getting hold of the money is the next stage, and the enforcement options open to you depend on the state.
Part of the debtor's earnings may be redirected toward the judgment where state law provides for it.
Funds can be collected directly from the debtor's bank account through a court-ordered levy.
Recording the judgment locally can place a lien against real property in the debtor's name.
Courts can also summon the debtor to answer questions about income and property under oath. Until the balance is paid, interest usually continues to run at the statutory rate.
Avalon, Bardwell and Ennis are among the Ellis County places a judgment debtor may live in. Navarro County and Hill County are the counties nearest to Ellis County.
Last reviewed August 2026. Court fees, limits, and procedures change. Verify current details with the court before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Ellis County case for you.
