Rule 719.Bond
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 719 bars putting levied property in the claimant's custody until the claimant files a bond with the officer who made the levy, payable to the plaintiff, conditioned to have the property forthcoming or pay its value.
Full Text of Rule 719
No property shall be put in the custody of the claimant until the claimant has filed with the officer who made the levy, a bond in an amount fixed by the court's order equal to double the value of the property so claimed, payable to the plaintiff in the writ, with sufficient surety or sureties as provided by statute to be approved by such officer, conditioned that the claimant will return the same to the officer making the levy, or his successor, in as good condition as he received it, and shall also pay the reasonable value of the use, hire, increase and fruits thereof from the date of said bond, or, in case he fails so to return said property and pay for the use of the same, that he shall pay the plaintiff the value of said property, with legal interest thereon from the date of the bond, and shall also pay all damages and costs that may be awarded against him for wrongfully suing out such claim. The plaintiff or claimant may file a motion to increase or reduce the amount of such bond, or to question the sufficiency of the sureties thereon, in the court in which such suit is pending. Upon hearing, the court shall enter its order with respect to such bond and sufficiency of the sureties.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 719 secures the claimant's possession. No property may be put in the custody of the claimant until the claimant files with the officer who made the levy a bond, payable to the plaintiff, with sufficient surety, conditioned to have the property forthcoming to abide the decision, or to pay its value if the claimant fails to establish the right to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a third-party claimant post a bond to get seized property in Texas?
Yes. Rule 719 requires a bond payable to the plaintiff before the property goes to the claimant.
How much must a Rule 719 claimant's bond be?
Double the value of the property claimed, in an amount fixed by the court's order.
Can the bond amount be challenged under Rule 719?
Yes. Either the plaintiff or the claimant may move to increase or reduce the bond, or question the sureties, and the court rules after a hearing.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 719), 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: bond trial of right of propertyclaimant bond seized propertydouble the value of property bondclaimant replevy bond amountTRCP 719