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The small-claims court in Kaufman County handles money disputes up to $20,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Here you will find the claim limit that applies in Kaufman County, what filing costs, where the case is heard, how the defendant is served, the deadlines, and the order of steps. Squabble can take the preparation and filing off your hands.
Kaufman 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.
Unsure where to file? The court publishes a locator that turns a ZIP code into a courthouse, and Squabble handles that step for you. Coverage is updated periodically, so verify before filing.
About 197,829 people live in Kaufman County. Kaufman County has 2 courthouses listed above; Kaufman County Justice Court Precinct 2 - Forney Courthouse is one of them.
This court takes small-claims filings electronically, so the case can be started from home.
Small claims hearings are held in person at the courthouse.
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 Kaufman County, Texas, which has a population of 197,829 and includes communities such as Crandall, Forney, Kaufman, Mabank, Scurry, and Terrell, can file small claims cases through the Justice Court of Texas system, which hears claims up to $20,000. Two locations handle these matters. The Kaufman County Justice Court Precinct 2 - Forney Courthouse sits at 200 E. Main Street in Forney, 75126, and can be reached at (469) 376-4600, with information posted at https://www.kaufmancounty.net/242/Justice-of-the-Peace. The Kaufman County Justice Court Precinct 3 - Terrell Sub Courthouse is located at 408 E College St. in Terrell, 75160, with a phone number of (469) 376-4587 and a page at https://www.kaufmancounty.net/Directory.aspx?did=37. Both courthouses are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and are closed Saturday and Sunday. Electronic filing is not available at either location. Kaufman County lies near Rockwall County, Dallas County, and Van Zandt County, and also covers ZIP codes including 75114, 75142, and 75161.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
Kaufman County covers these 8 towns and cities:
Crandall, Elmo, Forney, Kaufman, Mabank, Rosser, Scurry, Terrell.
ZIP codes:
Of Texas's 254 counties, Kaufman County is 28th by population at roughly 197,829 people. From Forney, Kaufman County Justice Court Precinct 2 - Forney Courthouse is roughly 6 miles from the Rockwall County courthouse in Rockwall and 11 miles from the Dallas County courthouse in Dallas.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
The small claims track exists for routine money disputes: fewer formalities, and a cap on what can be claimed.
Maximum claim
Either the place the dispute arose or the place the other party lives will usually work.
Courts do not allow one dispute to be filed as several in order to beat the maximum.
The remedy here is money. Orders telling someone to do or stop something sit with higher courts.
Texas allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
A claim involving a minor is brought by a court-appointed guardian.
Over the limit? A claim above the ceiling can be trimmed to fit, or filed in full in the ordinary civil court. Trimming generally means writing off the remainder.
They are the same across all 9 Kaufman County ZIP codes, from 75114 onward. Kaufman County has 2 courthouses listed on this page.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $20,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Kaufman County has about 197,829 residents. Kaufman County takes in Crandall, Elmo and Forney and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Write up what is owed on the claim form, select the courthouse, and settle the filing fee.
The defendant receives the papers through formal service and can reply or negotiate an end to it.
A short hearing, held in the courtroom or remotely where that is offered. A decision follows on the day or shortly afterwards.
This is the route a Kaufman County case takes, whether it starts in 75114 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Kaufman County Justice Court Precinct 2 - Forney Courthouse lists (469) 376-4600 as its number.
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.
Depending on the court: the sheriff or constable, a professional process server, the clerk by certified mail, or another adult who isn't part of the case. Methods and costs vary by county.
How long before the hearing notice must be given is set by the court. That deadline arrives with your hearing date.
Whoever serves the papers completes a proof of service, which is filed with the court before the hearing.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
Addresses in Kaufman County include places such as Crandall, Elmo and Forney. Rockwall County and Dallas County are the counties nearest to Kaufman 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 | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
They do not change from one Kaufman County ZIP code to another, 75114 included. The same periods apply in Kaufman County as in nearby Rockwall County and Dallas 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.
Kaufman County is under the same state rate as nearby Rockwall County and Dallas County. The rate above is the one for Kaufman County, population about 197,829.
Two checks first: the amount must fall within the ceiling, and the claim must still be in time.
Name the correct party, describe what happened, and show how the amount is calculated.
File at the Kaufman County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $46 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Service comes after the date is set. File the server's proof once the papers have been delivered.
Sort the documents and exhibits in advance so they can be handed up in order.
Appear in person or, where available, remotely, present your case, and receive the court's decision.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares the documents, runs a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your case for you.
Start for FREE →You will meet a claim form, a proof of service, and possibly a fee waiver. What each is called depends on the court, and Squabble matches them to your courthouse.
Kaufman County takes in filings from 9 ZIP codes, 75114 first in the list. Kaufman County has a population of about 197,829.
Small claims hearings are short and informal, and the judge asks questions directly. Most people present their own case.
Kaufman County hearings are held at one of its 2 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed. Crandall, Elmo and Forney are among the Kaufman County places a hearing can draw parties from.
Winning and being paid are two different things. The judgment records what is owed; collecting it is its own process, backed by court remedies that vary from state to state.
Part of the debtor's earnings may be redirected toward the judgment where state law provides for it.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Filing the judgment with the county can attach a lien to land or buildings the debtor owns.
The court can additionally require the debtor to appear and answer under oath about what they earn and own. An unsatisfied judgment usually carries statutory interest until it is paid.
A Kaufman County judgment comes from one of its 2 listed courthouses. Crandall, Elmo and Forney are among the Kaufman County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Reviewed August 2026. Fees, limits and procedures are revised from time to time, so confirm them with the court before you file.
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 Kaufman County case for you.
