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The small-claims court in McLennan County handles money disputes up to $20,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Below is what you need for a small claims case in McLennan County: the limit, filing fees, which courthouse to use, how to serve the other side, your deadlines, and how to file. When you're ready, Squabble prepares everything and files it for you.
McLennan County hears small claims at several hub courthouses. The right one depends on where the defendant lives or where your dispute happened. The court matches your ZIP code to a courthouse.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Not sure which courthouse? Use the court's official court locator to match your ZIP code to the correct location, or let Squabble identify it for you automatically. Hub courthouses can change; confirm before you file.
McLennan County covers 33 ZIP codes, including the Axtell, Bruceville and China Spring areas. About 270,358 people live in McLennan County.
This court accepts electronic filing for small claims, so a case can be started without a courthouse trip.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Residents of McLennan County, Texas, who wish to file a small claims case do so through the Justice Court of Texas, which handles claims up to $20,000. The county has a population of 270,358 and includes communities such as Waco, Hewitt, Lorena, China Spring, West, and Moody, along with ZIP codes including 76701, 76704, 76691, and 76705. Several justice courts serve the county. The McLennan County Justice Court Precinct 1-2 is located at 501 Washington Ave. in Waco, and the McLennan County Justice Court Precinct 2 sits at 929 Elm Ave in Waco and can be reached at 254-752-9353. The McLennan County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 3: Small Claims is at 201 N Reagan St. in West, and it is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with closures on Saturday and Sunday. Electronic filing is not available in this county. McLennan County lies near Falls County, Hill County, and Bosque County.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
McLennan County covers these 17 towns and cities:
Axtell, Bruceville, China Spring, Crawford, Eddy, Elm Mott, Hewitt, Leroy, Lorena, Mart, Mc Gregor, Moody, Riesel, Ross, Waco, West, Woodway.
McLennan County holds about 270,358 people, 21st of the 254 counties in Texas. McLennan County Justice Court Precinct 1-2 in Waco lies around 17 miles from the Hill County courthouse in Whitney and 20 miles from the Bosque County courthouse in Meridian.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
Small claims is the court's track for everyday money disputes: simplified rules, and limits on how much you can sue for.
Maximum claim
The county where it happened and the county where they live are both generally available.
One dispute cannot be broken into several cases to slip under the cap.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in 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.
McLennan County is under the same limits as nearby Falls County and Hill County. They are the same across all 33 McLennan County ZIP codes, from 76524 onward.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $20,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
McLennan County takes in Axtell, Bruceville and China Spring and the rest of the county. McLennan County has about 270,358 residents.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Prepare the claim form, work out which court covers it, and pay the court's charge.
Formal notice reaches the other party, who then has a window to respond or resolve it.
The hearing is informal and quick, sometimes by video, and the judge decides on the spot or sends the outcome later.
McLennan County Justice Court Precinct 1-2 lists (254) 752-9353 as its number. This is the route a McLennan County case takes, whether it starts in 76524 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes.
After you file, the other party must be formally notified. This is called service of process. You generally cannot serve the papers yourself.
A sheriff, a constable, a professional server, the court clerk using certified mail, or an uninvolved adult can all serve papers, depending on local rules. Fees and permitted methods vary.
How long before the hearing notice must be given is set by the court. That deadline arrives with your hearing date.
The person who delivered the papers signs a proof of service. That document goes to the court ahead of 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 McLennan County include places such as Axtell, Bruceville and China Spring. A McLennan County address carries one of its 33 ZIP codes, 76524, 76557 and 76624 among them.
Claims do not stay open indefinitely. Time runs from the events themselves, and a filing made afterwards may be shut out.
| What the claim is about | How long you have |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
McLennan County, population about 270,358, is covered by the table above. They do not change from one McLennan County ZIP code to another, 76524 included.
Money owed under a contract in Texas generally accrues interest at 6% per year before judgment (Tex. Fin. Code §302.002).
Want to estimate what interest adds to your claim? Use the Squabble interest calculator to see the running total before you file.
McLennan County is under the same state rate as nearby Falls County and Hill County. The rate above is the one for McLennan County, population about 270,358.
Confirm the sum sits under the cap and that the time limit for this kind of claim has not run out.
Get the defendant's legal name right, set out the events, and break down how the figure is reached.
File at the McLennan County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $46 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.
Arrange your evidence and number the exhibits so nothing has to be searched for on the day.
Attend the hearing, in person or by video if that is offered, make your case, and receive the outcome.
Go through the events with Eleanor. The documents are prepared, Triple-Checked™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and filed for you.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
McLennan County takes in filings from 33 ZIP codes, 76524 first in the list. A McLennan County filing goes to one of 4 courthouses, McLennan County Justice Court Precinct 1-2 among them.
Hearings are short and plainly run. Questions come from the judge, and most parties appear without help.
Axtell, Bruceville and China Spring are among the McLennan County places a hearing can draw parties from. McLennan County has about 270,358 residents.
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.
A levy lets the court reach money sitting in the debtor's bank account.
Recording the judgment locally can place a lien against real property in the debtor's name.
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.
Axtell, Bruceville and China Spring are among the McLennan County places a judgment debtor may live in. A McLennan County judgment comes from one of its 4 listed courthouses.
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 McLennan County case for you.
