Getting sued over a credit card or an old loan is stressful, and it's easy to set the papers aside and hope the problem goes away. In Wichita Falls, as everywhere in Texas, that usually ends in a default judgment. Texas Debt Law defends Wichita Falls residents against credit card companies, debt buyers and collection agencies for one flat fee. Our office is in Frisco; we handle Wichita County cases by phone, text, email and electronic filing.

Free Case Evaluation(214) 945-0000

Wichita County's Courts

Wichita Falls is the Wichita County seat. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city had about 102,372 residents in 2024. Nearly all of them live in Wichita County; a small part of the city extends into Clay County, and residents there could be sued in Clay County instead.

The Wichita County website lists five justice courts across four precincts. Justice courts hear debt claims up to $20,000:

Precinct 1, Place 1 and Precinct 1, Place 2: both at the county's 900 7th Street building in Wichita Falls
Precinct 2: Burkburnett
Precinct 3: Iowa Park
Precinct 4: Electra

The county also posts precinct maps, which help you see which precinct covers your address.

For larger claims, the county lists County Court at Law #1 and #2 and three district courts: the 30th, 78th and 89th.

Both Wichita Falls Justice Courts Use eFile

The county's pages for Precinct 1, Place 1 and Precinct 1, Place 2 both say the court "is now part of eFile," and link to the statewide electronic filing system. For you, that means we can file your answer and other documents in those courts the same day we're ready, without anyone driving downtown.

Several of the county's justice court pages also post a defendant's answer form and information for people representing themselves. A form answer stops a default judgment if it's filed on time, but it won't raise defenses like limitations or lack of ownership, and it doesn't ask the plaintiff for anything. That is the gap a lawyer fills.

When Your Answer Is Due

Justice court: by the end of the 14th day after service (Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.5).
County Court at Law or district court: by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday after 20 days (Rule 99(b)).

Our answer deadline calculator estimates the date for you. In county or district court, if the plaintiff files a motion for summary judgment on or after March 1, 2026, your response is due 21 days after the motion is filed (Rule 166a).

Fees

You pay one flat fee based on the amount of the lawsuit, starting at $400. Payment plans are available. Post-judgment work uses the same flat fees.

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

What a Defense Looks Like

We test the plaintiff's standing. A debt buyer has to show the account it's suing on is the one it bought. Generic sale documents often don't do that.

We check the clock. Texas generally allows four years to sue on a debt (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004). A debt buyer can't sue on time-barred consumer debt (Fin. Code § 392.307).

We audit the balance. Interest and fees that aren't supported by the agreement and statements can be challenged.

We explain what's protected. Current wages can't be garnished for consumer debt in Texas. Your homestead is exempt, and so is personal property up to $50,000 for a single adult or $100,000 for a family.

From there, the case may be dismissed, settled in writing on terms you can afford, or taken to trial. You decide with full information.

Free Resources in Wichita County

Wichita County Law Library, Room 109A at 900 7th Street, is open to the public on weekdays and has a computer lab for online research. The librarian can answer questions about resources but isn't your lawyer.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Wichita Falls office lists Wichita and Clay counties in its service area and offers free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents.

These resources are independent of our firm.

Judgments and Collector Violations

If a judgment was already entered, we can review whether it can be set aside and, if not, negotiate a post-judgment settlement. If a collector harassed you, threatened you or misrepresented what you owe, see our FDCPA and Texas Debt Collection Act page. Those claims are a separate legal service from debt defense.

Wichita Falls Debt Lawsuit FAQs

I'm assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base. Do I have extra protection?

Possibly. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a plaintiff must file an affidavit about the defendant's military status before getting a default judgment; Wichita County's justice court pages even post an affidavit of military status form. The protections don't replace your answer, so call us before the deadline.

My petition is from the Electra or Iowa Park court, but I live in Wichita Falls. Why?

Justice court debt cases are generally filed in the precinct where the defendant lives. If your Wichita Falls address is in Precinct 1, a case in another precinct may be in the wrong court. Send us the petition and your address and we'll check.

I'm a Midwestern State student whose permanent address is elsewhere in Texas. Where will I be sued?

It depends on where you're considered to live. If you're served here on a case filed in your home county, or the reverse, we'll confirm the court and deadline either way.

Do you cover Burkburnett?

Yes. See our Burkburnett page. We also represent clients statewide; general answers are in our debt lawsuit Q&A.

Start With a Free Review

Call or text (214) 945-0000; phones are answered seven days a week, and Spanish is spoken. Or submit your case online.

Helpful guides

General information, not legal advice for your case.