On this page
- Reading the Citation: Who, Where and Through Which Firm
- How the Court Determines the Deadline
- Finding a PRA Case in the County Civil Courts at Law
- Finding a PRA Case in District Court
- Justice Court Cases
- Summary Judgment in County and District Court
- Zoom Hearings in the County Civil Courts
- Limitations and Proof
- Resources in Harris County
- Claims Against PRA or Its Lawyers
- Our Approach to Harris County PRA Cases
- Sources
When Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC sues a Harris County resident, the case can land in any of three levels of court: one of the county's 16 justice courts, one of its five County Civil Courts at Law, or a civil district court. Each level has its own clerk, its own records search and its own deadlines, and a PRA case in a county court at law runs very differently from one in a justice court. This page focuses on reading your papers to tell where you are and on the practical steps in the higher courts, where motions for summary judgment and written discovery come into play.
PRA's corporate background, its Texas bond and the 2015 and 2023 CFPB orders are covered in our main guide to being sued by Portfolio Recovery Associates in Texas. General Harris County information is on our Houston debt defense page.
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Reading the Citation: Who, Where and Through Which Firm
The plaintiff. The caption should read "Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC." PRA Group's annual report describes that company as a wholly owned subsidiary of PRA Group, Inc. The Texas Secretary of State's debt collector registry also lists a separate entity, PRA Receivables Management, LLC, so if your papers or letters use a different PRA name, note exactly which one is the plaintiff. Only the plaintiff's ownership of your account matters in court.
The lawyer. PRA Group's 10-K says it uses a mix of internal attorneys and outside law firms for legal recovery. The signature block on the petition tells you which: an in-house PRA attorney or an outside Texas firm. Either way, that attorney is your point of contact once the suit is filed. Our collection law firm guides cover many of the outside firms, and the State Bar of Texas directory confirms any lawyer's license.
The court. The heading names the court: "Justice Court, Precinct _, Place _," "County Civil Court at Law No. _," or a numbered district court such as "the ___th Judicial District." That one line sets your deadline, the clerk you deal with and the rules that apply.
How the Court Determines the Deadline
- Justice court: a written answer by the end of the 14th day after service (Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 502.5).
- County Civil Court at Law or district court: by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday after 20 days from service (Rule 99(b)).
The answer deadline calculator handles weekends and holidays. A justice court is limited to claims up to $20,000 (Gov't Code § 27.031), so a PRA claim above that has to be in a county court at law or district court. A smaller claim may be filed there too.
Finding a PRA Case in the County Civil Courts at Law
Harris County's five County Civil Courts at Law sit at 201 Caroline in downtown Houston, and their records are kept by the Harris County Clerk, not the district clerk. The Clerk's civil page offers:
- a court records search for civil cases, where, according to the Clerk, electronic copies can be viewed and printed free after you register;
- a court settings search showing upcoming hearings and trial dates; and
- downloadable forms, including an answer form and a civil case information sheet.
The Clerk says attorneys must e-file in the County Civil Courts through eFileTexas.gov, while its FAQ states e-filing is not required for self-represented parties. Filed documents are usually viewable online within minutes of acceptance, which makes it easy to confirm that your answer and any later response actually reached the file.
Finding a PRA Case in District Court
If the citation names a district court, the records are with the Harris County District Clerk. Its website has an online search of records and documents, a list of the day's new civil filings and a page on mandatory e-filing. The cause number on your citation is the fastest way to pull up the file.
Justice Court Cases
If PRA filed in a justice court, the case is a debt claim case under Rule 508. The justice courts' Find Your Case tool searches by name and date of birth or driver's license number, and the Odyssey portal shows filed documents. Rule 508.2 requires the petition to identify the original creditor, the assignment date and the prior holders. Our companion page on Midland Funding suits in Harris County walks through the justice court steps in detail.
Summary Judgment in County and District Court
In the higher courts, a debt buyer may move for summary judgment, asking the judge to rule on affidavits and documents without a trial. For motions filed on or after March 1, 2026, the response is due 21 days after the motion is filed (Rule 166a). That is counted from filing, not from when you notice it, so check the Clerk's records or your e-file service regularly. See our update on the new Rule 166a deadline and what is a motion for summary judgment?
In county and district court, PRA may also serve written discovery, including requests for admissions. Unanswered requests for admissions can be treated as admitted, so they need a timely response; see why requests for admissions are dangerous. Discovery works both ways: it is how you ask PRA for the bill of sale identifying your account, the chain of prior owners and the account-level records. PRA's 2023 CFPB order lists the documents PRA agreed to have before legal collection on accounts placed after the order took effect; our main PRA guide explains that list and its limits.
Zoom Hearings in the County Civil Courts
The County Civil Courts at Law post Zoom links for Courts 1 through 5 on the county's Court Web Streams page, along with public live streams. The courts also publish instructions for video hearings and an order on recording video hearings and trials. If your hearing notice sets a Zoom appearance, test your connection in advance and follow the court's instructions. Under Rule 21d, in-person appearance is the default in county and district courts unless the notice says otherwise, and any party may object to a method of appearance for good cause.
Limitations and Proof
PRA must prove the account, the default, the balance and its own ownership through every transfer. Texas generally gives four years to sue on a debt (Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.004), and Finance Code § 392.307 bars a debt buyer from suing on consumer debt after that period, even if a later payment was made. Records offered through a business records affidavit under Texas Rules of Evidence 803(6) and 902(10) still have to tie the account to PRA. Limitations is a defense you raise in your answer; see which defenses have to be stated in the answer?
Resources in Harris County
The Harris County Law Library helps self-represented litigants find forms and research materials, and the County Clerk's site links to legal aid resources. Lone Star Legal Aid serves eligible Harris County residents.
Claims Against PRA or Its Lawyers
PRA Group describes purchasing and collecting nonperforming loans as its primary business, and the FDCPA covers companies whose principal purpose is collecting debts (15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6)). The FDCPA bars false or misleading representations (§ 1692e) and unfair practices (§ 1692f), and the Texas Debt Collection Act adds state protections. If PRA or a firm collecting for it violates those laws, we bring the claim as a separate federal lawsuit, not as a counterclaim in the Harris County case, and as a separate service from debt defense. Learn more on our Texas FDCPA attorneys page.
Our Approach to Harris County PRA Cases
We pull the file from the right clerk, e-file your answer and any verified denials, track the docket for summary judgment motions and discovery, request PRA's ownership documents, and respond on time. If resolving the case by agreement is the better option, we negotiate it in writing. We handle cases remotely, in English or Spanish, with phones answered seven days a week.
Debt defense is a flat fee based on the amount of the suit, from $400, with payment plans available:
| Amount of the Lawsuit | Our Flat Legal Fee | Payment Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $1,000 | $400 | Up to 2 months |
| $1,001 – $3,000 | $500 | Up to 2 months |
| $3,001 – $5,000 | $750 | Up to 3 months |
| $5,001 – $7,500 | $1,000 | Up to 4 months |
| $7,501 – $10,000 | $1,250 | Up to 6 months |
| $10,001 – $12,500 | $1,500 | Up to 6 months |
| $12,501 – $15,000 | $1,750 | Up to 6 months |
| $15,001 – $20,000 | $2,000 | Up to 6 months |
| Over $20,000 | Call for Pricing | |
Texas Debt Law is not affiliated with Portfolio Recovery Associates, PRA Group or Harris County. Call or text for a free case review, or read about our Texas debt defense attorneys.
Sources
- Harris County Civil Courts at Law (five courts, 201 Caroline, Zoom instructions)
- Harris County Clerk, Civil Courts (records search, settings, e-filing, forms)
- Harris County District Clerk (records search, e-filing)
- Harris County, Court Web Streams (Zoom links)
- Harris County Justice Courts, Cases and Dockets
- PRA Group, Inc., Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025 (subsidiary, legal recovery)
- Texas Secretary of State, Debt Collector Search
- Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Rules 21d, 99, 166a, 198, 502.5, 508)
- Texas Government Code ch. 27 (§ 27.031)
- Texas Finance Code ch. 392 (§ 392.307)
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1692–1692p
General information, not legal advice for your case.