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The small-claims court in Willacy County handles money disputes up to $20,000, with simplified procedures built for people without a lawyer.
What follows covers the maximum you can claim in Willacy 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.
Willacy County hears small claims at the courthouse listed here, with the venue confirmed at filing from the defendant's address or the location of the dispute.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Check the filing location first. The court's small-claims page lists where papers are taken today, and Squabble confirms it for your case as part of filing.
The nearest counties to Willacy County are Kenedy County and Cameron County. Willacy County covers 6 ZIP codes, including the Lasara, Lyford and Port Mansfield areas.
Small claims are filed here on paper, at the counter or through the mail. Squabble prepares the full packet before it goes.
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 Willacy County, Texas, bring small claims cases through the Justice Court of Texas system, which in this county is handled by the Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 in Raymondville. The court is located at 576 W. Main Ave. Room 148, Raymondville, 78580, and can be reached at (956) 699-5018 or online at http://www.co.willacy.tx.us/page/willacy.Justice. Its office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and it is closed Saturday and Sunday. Claims filed in this court are subject to a limit of $20,000. The county has a population of 20,027 and includes the communities of Lasara, Lyford, Port Mansfield, Raymondville, San Perlita, and Sebastian, along with ZIP codes such as 78561, 78569, 78590, and 78598. Willacy County lies near Kenedy County, Cameron County, and Hidalgo County. Electronic filing is not available for cases in this county, so filings are handled at the court office.
These 6 places sit inside Willacy County:
Lasara, Lyford, Port Mansfield, Raymondville, San Perlita, Sebastian.
ZIP codes:
With about 20,027 residents, Willacy County ranks 124th by population among the 254 counties of Texas. From Raymondville, Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 is roughly 22 miles from the Cameron County courthouse in Brownsville and 17 miles from the Hidalgo County courthouse in Pharr.
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
You can generally file where the dispute happened or where the other party lives.
Courts do not allow one dispute to be filed as several in order to beat the maximum.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in higher courts.
Lawyers are allowed at a Texas hearing but are not needed. The procedure is written for self-representation.
Under-18s are represented by a guardian the court appoints.
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.
Willacy County is under the same limits as nearby Kenedy County and Cameron County. These are the limits for Willacy County, population about 20,027.
Small claims exists for money owed, up to $20,000. The categories below come up more than any others.
Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 is the Willacy County courthouse listed below. Willacy County has about 20,027 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.
Papers are delivered to the defendant, who may answer them or settle the matter first.
Expect a brief session rather than a trial, in person or by video where available, with a decision at the end or soon after.
Everything below applies to a case filed in Willacy County, at the Raymondville courthouse. This is the route a Willacy County case takes, whether it starts in 78561 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.
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.
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.
After delivery, the server fills out a proof of service, and that goes on the court file 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 Willacy County include places such as Lasara, Lyford and Port Mansfield. Kenedy County and Cameron County are the counties nearest to Willacy County.
A claim has to be filed inside a set period that starts when the dispute arose. After that point the court may decline to hear it.
| What the claim is about | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral contract | 4 years |
| Property damage | 2 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
The same periods apply in Willacy County as in nearby Kenedy County and Cameron County, which are in the same state. They do not change from one Willacy County ZIP code to another, 78561 included.
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.
It is the same rate across all 6 Willacy County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Willacy County, population about 20,027.
Make sure the claim is under the maximum and that the limitation period has not expired.
Use the other side's correct legal name, describe the dispute, and show how the money adds up.
File with the Willacy County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $45–$100 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
Arrange service once your hearing date is set and file the proof of service with the court.
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.
Tell Eleanor what happened and Squabble builds the filing, Triple-Checks™ it for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files it on your behalf.
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.
Willacy County papers go to Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 in Raymondville. Willacy County has a population of about 20,027.
Expect a short, informal hearing in which the judge asks the questions. Most people present their own case.
Lasara, Lyford and Port Mansfield are among the Willacy County places a hearing can draw parties from. Hearings in Willacy County cases are listed at Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 in Raymondville.
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.
Where the law allows, an employer can be directed to send part of the debtor's pay to the court.
A levy lets the court reach money sitting in the debtor's bank account.
Lodging the judgment with the county can create a lien over property the debtor owns.
You can also ask the court to order the debtor to appear and disclose income and assets under oath. An unpaid judgment generally keeps accruing interest at the rate state law sets until it's satisfied.
The judgment in a Willacy County case comes from Willacy County Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1 in Raymondville. Lasara, Lyford and Port Mansfield are among the Willacy County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Checked August 2026. Because courts revise fees, limits and procedures, confirm the current position 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 Willacy County case for you.
