Unpaid invoices drain working capital. Defaulted loans create balance sheet problems. When customers or borrowers fail to pay, businesses face a choice: write off the debt or pursue collection. Winning a lawsuit is often the easy part. Collecting on a judgment against an uncooperative debtor requires knowledge of Texas judgment enforcement tools and the persistence to use them effectively.
Texas provides several collection remedies but also extensive debtor protections. Homesteads are constitutionally protected without dollar limits. Personal property exemptions shield significant assets. Wage garnishment is prohibited for most debts. These limitations make collection strategy critical. Creditors need attorneys who know which assets are reachable, which enforcement tools work in specific situations, and how to maximize recovery while complying with state and federal collection laws.
What Collections and Creditor Rights Attorneys Handle
Pre-Suit Collection
Before filing lawsuits, attorneys send demand letters, negotiate payment arrangements, and assess collectability. Understanding a debtor’s assets before committing litigation costs can save money. Some debts warrant immediate suit; others justify settlement at reduced amounts. Attorneys evaluate the strength of claims, statute of limitations issues, and debtor circumstances to recommend appropriate strategies.
Collection Litigation
When debtors refuse to pay valid debts, lawsuits become necessary. Attorneys file suit on defaulted loans, unpaid invoices, breached contracts, dishonored checks, and guaranty obligations. Texas allows suit on sworn accounts for goods and services, shifting certain proof burdens to defendants. Summary judgment procedures can expedite cases where defenses are weak. Attorneys manage litigation from filing through judgment.
Judgment Enforcement
Collecting judgments often proves more difficult than obtaining them. Texas enforcement tools include writs of execution to seize and sell non-exempt property, writs of garnishment to reach bank accounts and debts owed to the debtor, abstract of judgment liens on real property, and turnover orders requiring debtors to surrender assets. Post-judgment discovery identifies assets. Turnover receiverships appoint third parties to locate and liquidate assets. Attorneys select and execute appropriate enforcement strategies.
Creditor Bankruptcy Representation
When debtors file bankruptcy, collection efforts must stop. Creditors need representation to protect their interests in bankruptcy proceedings, file proofs of claim, object to discharge when appropriate, and pursue preferences or fraudulent transfers. Secured creditors have different rights than unsecured creditors. Attorneys navigate bankruptcy procedures to maximize creditor recovery.
How to Choose a Collections Attorney
Board certification. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in Creditor Rights Law. Only a handful of Texas attorneys hold this certification, demonstrating focused expertise in debt collection and judgment enforcement.
Volume and efficiency. Collections work often involves many matters with similar procedures. Attorneys who handle significant collection volume have efficient systems for demand letters, filings, and enforcement. Ask about case management and communication processes.
Enforcement experience. Winning judgments without collecting them wastes money. Ensure your attorney has experience with writs of execution, garnishments, turnover orders, and receiverships. Ask about recovery rates on judgments.
Compliance knowledge. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Texas Debt Collection Act, and other laws create liability for improper collection practices. Attorneys must know these boundaries to protect creditor clients from debtor counterclaims.
Texas Collections and Creditor Rights Attorneys
Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP
Location: Dallas, Texas
Website: https://www.bellnunnally.com
Phone: 214-740-1400
Bell Nunnally’s Creditor Rights practice represents institutional lenders, investment companies, construction suppliers, commercial landlords, manufacturers, and business service providers. Attorneys prosecute claims on defaulted loans, promissory notes, leases, guarantees, and unpaid accounts. The practice includes domestication of foreign judgments, pre-judgment remedies to preserve assets, and post-judgment collection through garnishment, turnover orders, and receivership. Attorneys also defend creditors against FDCPA counterclaims, wrongful foreclosure allegations, and usury claims.
Practice Focus:
- Commercial debt collection litigation
- Judgment enforcement and receivership
- Fraudulent transfer claims
- Creditor bankruptcy representation
- FDCPA defense
Barnett & Garcia PLLC
Location: Austin and San Antonio, Texas
Website: https://www.barnettgarcia.com
Phone: 512-266-8830
Barnett & Garcia represents creditors, collection agencies, financial institutions, and insurance carriers in commercial debt collection throughout Texas. The practice handles demand, litigation, and post-judgment enforcement including writs of execution, garnishment, and turnover receiverships. Attorneys appear in state courts, federal courts, and alternative dispute forums. The firm brings an efficient approach to collection matters while maintaining the litigation capability to pursue difficult cases.
Practice Focus:
- Commercial debt collection
- Judgment enforcement
- Writs of garnishment and execution
- Turnover receiverships
- Creditor representation
Bristol & Dubiel LLP
Location: Dallas, Texas (nationwide representation)
Website: https://www.dallascollectionlawyers.com
Phone: 214-827-1200
Bristol & Dubiel recovers delinquent debts and judgments for businesses throughout the United States and internationally. The practice handles open accounts, defaulted notes, lease obligations, and breach of contract claims. Attorneys domesticate foreign judgments for Texas enforcement and pursue full collection remedies including sequestration, garnishment, turnover orders, and receivership. The firm also provides debt defense to businesses facing collection claims or disputed debts.
Practice Focus:
- Commercial debt collection
- Foreign judgment domestication
- Judgment enforcement remedies
- Receivership and asset recovery
- Debt collection defense
Costs and Fees
Collections legal fees vary by case complexity and collection method. Demand letters typically cost $250 to $750. Straightforward collection suits may proceed on contingency, typically 25% to 40% of amounts recovered, or flat fees of $1,500 to $3,500 through judgment. Complex collection litigation bills hourly at $250 to $450 per hour. Post-judgment enforcement costs additional fees; garnishments and abstracts of judgment run $500 to $1,500 each, while turnover receiverships may cost $5,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity. Many creditor attorneys require retainers of $2,500 to $10,000 for litigation matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for debt collection in Texas?
Most written contracts have a four-year limitations period from breach or default. Oral contracts have four years as well. Promissory notes may have four or six years depending on their terms. Once a judgment is obtained, it is enforceable for ten years and can be renewed. Attempting to collect time-barred debt can create liability, so limitations analysis is essential before pursuing collection.
Can wages be garnished in Texas?
Texas prohibits wage garnishment for most debts. Exceptions exist for child support, alimony, student loans, and taxes. This limitation makes other collection tools more important. Bank accounts can be garnished, so the same wages become reachable once deposited. Property liens, turnover orders, and receiverships provide alternative collection routes.
What happens when a debtor files bankruptcy?
The automatic stay immediately halts all collection efforts. Continuing collection after a bankruptcy filing violates the stay and can result in sanctions. Creditors should file proofs of claim to participate in any distribution. Secured creditors have priority over unsecured creditors. Some debts survive bankruptcy while others are discharged. An attorney can advise on protecting creditor interests in bankruptcy.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.