Rule 502.2.Petition; Fees

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 502.2 sets what a petition must contain to start a justice-court suit — the parties' names and contact information, the money or property sought, and the basis for the claim — and requires the plaintiff to pay the filing fee or file a Statement of Inability.

Full Text of Rule 502.2

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Contents. To initiate a lawsuit, a petition must be filed with the court. A petition must contain:

(1) the name of the plaintiff;

(2) the name, address, telephone number, and fax number, if any, of the plaintiff’s attorney, if applicable, or the address, telephone number, and fax number, if any, of the plaintiff;

(3) the name, address, and telephone number, if known, of the defendant;

(4) the amount of money, if any, the plaintiff seeks;

(5) a description and claimed value of any personal property the plaintiff seeks;

(6) a description of any other relief requested;

(7) the basis for the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant; and

(8) if the plaintiff consents to email service of the answer and any other motions or pleadings, a statement consenting to email service and email contact information.

(b) Fees or Statement. On filing the petition, the plaintiff must pay the appropriate filing fee and service fees, if any, with the court. A plaintiff who is unable to afford the fees must file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Rule 502.3.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 502.2 covers the petition that begins a case. It must name the plaintiff and give the plaintiff's or attorney's contact information, name and locate the defendant, state the amount of money or describe the property sought, describe any other relief, and state the basis for the claim — and it may include consent to email service.

On filing, the plaintiff pays the filing and service fees, or files a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs in their place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a justice-court petition include in Texas?

The parties' names and contact information, the money or property sought, and the basis for the claim (Rule 502.2).

Can you agree to be served by email when you file a justice court petition in Texas?

Yes. Rule 502.2 lets the plaintiff include a statement consenting to email service and email contact information right in the petition.

What if you can't pay the filing fee when you file a justice court petition in Texas?

Rule 502.2 lets you file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Rule 502.3 instead of paying.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.2), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: petition justice courtstarting a lawsuitfiling feeTRCP 502.2