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Money disputes up to $20,000 are settled in the Smith County small-claims court, which runs on simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
Read on for the claim ceiling, the fees, the courthouse serving Smith County, the way the other side is notified, the cut-off dates, and each filing step. Squabble prepares the paperwork and files it on your behalf.
Smith 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.
The nearest counties to Smith County are Wood County and Upshur County. 4 courthouses serve Smith County, Smith County Justice-of-the-Peace Court: Precinct 5 among them.
This court takes small-claims filings electronically, so the case can be started from home.
The small claims list is heard in person, at the courthouse itself.
Two sets of evidence are needed, one for the judge and one for the other side, and some courts also take it electronically in advance.
Residents of Smith County, Texas, which has a population of 249,091 and includes towns such as Tyler, Lindale, Troup, Arp, Bullard, Flint, Whitehouse and Winona, can file small claims cases in the Justice Court of Texas system, where the claim limit is $20,000. Cases are heard at several justice of the peace courts across the county. The Smith County Justice Court : Precinct 1 sits at 200 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 501 in Tyler, 75702, and can be reached at (903) 590-4870. Its counters are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and it is closed Saturday and Sunday. The Smith County Justice-of-the-Peace Court: Precinct 5 is located at 2616 S Main St. in Lindale, 75771, and the Smith County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 3 is at 313 E. Duval Street P.O. Box 573 in Troup, 75789. Electronic filing is not available. Smith County lies near Wood County, Upshur County and Gregg County.
More than one location takes small claims here. The court matches a case to a location by address.
A case filed here usually comes from one of these 8 communities:
Arp, Bullard, Flint, Lindale, Troup, Tyler, Whitehouse, Winona.
ZIP codes:
Smith County holds about 249,091 people, 24th of the 254 counties in Texas. Smith County Justice-of-the-Peace Court: Precinct 5 in Lindale lies around 8 miles from the Wood County courthouse in Mineola and 16 miles from the Upshur County courthouse in Gilmer.
Neighbouring counties and the courts that serve them:
The small claims track exists for routine money disputes: fewer formalities, and a cap on what can be claimed.
Maximum claim
You can generally file where the dispute happened or where the other party lives.
Splitting a single claim across multiple filings to dodge the ceiling is not permitted.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in higher courts.
Texas allows attorneys at the hearing, but none is required. The procedures are designed for self-representation.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
Over the limit? Claims over the cap can go two ways: cut to the limit and stay, or move to regular civil court at full value. Cutting it normally waives the excess.
Smith County is under the same limits as nearby Wood County and Upshur County. These are the limits for Smith County, population about 249,091.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $20,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Smith County has about 249,091 residents. Smith County takes in Arp, Bullard and Flint 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.
Fill in the claim, pick the courthouse that covers the dispute, and pay what the court charges.
Service puts the papers in the defendant's hands and starts their time to answer or settle.
The hearing is informal and quick, sometimes by video, and the judge decides on the spot or sends the outcome later.
Smith County Justice-of-the-Peace Court: Precinct 5 lists (903) 590-4890 as its number. Smith County Justice-of-the-Peace Court: Precinct 5 publishes its counter hours; they are listed on this page.
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.
Courts set their own cut-off for how many days before the hearing notice must land. The clerk gives you that date along with the hearing date.
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.
Addresses in Smith County include places such as Arp, Bullard and Flint. A Smith County address carries one of its 22 ZIP codes, 75701, 75702 and 75703 among them.
The law fixes how long you have, counted from the dispute itself. A case brought later can be refused outright.
| Kind of claim | Time limit to file |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
They do not change from one Smith County ZIP code to another, 75701 included. Smith County, population about 249,091, is covered by the table above.
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.
The rate above is the one for Smith County, population about 249,091. Smith County is under the same state rate as nearby Wood County and Upshur County.
Check that the amount is within the limit and that you're inside the statute of limitations for your claim type.
Use the other side's correct legal name, describe the dispute, and show how the money adds up.
File at the Smith County hub courthouse for your dispute's ZIP code, or e-file, and pay the $46 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Once the court fixes a date, have the papers served and return the proof of service to the file.
Organize documents and exhibits so you can present them clearly at the hearing.
Attend, in the courtroom or by video where the court allows it, put your case, and hear the ruling.
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 →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.
Arp, Bullard and Flint are among the places in Smith County that filings come from. Smith County takes in filings from 22 ZIP codes, 75701 first in the list.
The hearing is brief and informal. The judge asks the questions, and most people speak for themselves.
Smith County hearings are held at one of its 4 listed courthouses, depending on where the case is filed. Arp, Bullard and Flint are among the Smith County places a hearing can draw parties from.
The ruling establishes the debt. Recovery is a further step, supported by enforcement measures that are set by each state.
Where state law allows it, a portion of the debtor's earnings can be redirected to pay what the court ordered.
Money in the debtor's bank account can be seized under a levy the court orders.
Lodging the judgment with the county can create a lien over property the debtor owns.
You may also apply for an order compelling the debtor to attend and disclose income and assets on oath. Interest generally continues at the rate the state sets until the debt is met.
A Smith County judgment comes from one of its 4 listed courthouses. Wood County and Upshur County are the counties nearest to Smith County.
Last checked in August 2026. Court fees, limits and procedures move; verify them with the court first.
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 Smith County case for you.
