Is my unpaid invoice worth chasing?
Key takeaways
Small claims limits: Texas up to $20,000, Georgia up to $15,000, Florida up to $8,000, before costs and interest.
A customer that has closed or vanished is the biggest reason a claim is not worth filing. A judgment is only paper if nobody can pay it.
No signed contract is not a deal breaker. Quotes, emails, texts and part payments are often enough to show what was agreed.
Disputed work, invoices over the limit and debts older than three years are worth a lawyer's view before you file.
How does the invoice checker decide?
It runs your answers through the same questions a collections professional would ask, in order of what kills a claim first. A customer that has closed comes before everything else, because a court judgment against a business with nothing left is very hard to collect.
- Is the customer still trading? If not, an agency or a write-off usually makes more sense than court.
- Is the work disputed? A real dispute about quality or scope is worth a lawyer's view before you file.
- How old is the invoice? Every state has a deadline for suing on a debt. Over three years, check yours before doing anything else.
- Does the amount fit the small claims limit? Above the limit, small claims is off the table unless you give up the extra.
- How long has it been overdue? Under 30 days, a reminder usually does the job. After that, a demand letter, then small claims.
What are the small claims limits in Texas, Florida and Georgia?
Each state sets its own ceiling. The limit is the most you can ask a small claims court to award, usually before court costs and interest are added.
| State | Court | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Justice court (small claims) | Up to $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs | Texas State Law Library |
| Florida | County court, small claims | Up to $8,000, exclusive of costs, interest and attorneys' fees | Florida Small Claims Rules, Rule 7.010 |
| Georgia | Magistrate court | Up to $15,000 (a change is scheduled from January 1, 2027, so check with the court) | O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2 |
What does the checker not know?
It cannot read your contract, judge your evidence or tell whether your customer has money in the bank. Treat the result as a starting point. If the answer is small claims, you can read how a small claims case for an unpaid invoice works. If it points to an agency, compare an agency with Easy Small Claims first. If you just need words for a firm letter, the free demand letter builder is the next step.
When we take on a claim, we check the facts before anything is sent or filed. It is $99 to start and $299 through the hearing, with no cut of what you recover.
Last updated October 2026. Easy Small Claims is not a law firm and this page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions, answered
Is it worth going to small claims court for an unpaid invoice?
Often, yes, when the customer is a business that still trades, the amount is under your state's limit and the work is not in dispute. Filing fees are modest and can usually be added to the judgment if you win. It is less worth it when the customer has closed, cannot be found or the amount is very small.
When should I write off an unpaid invoice?
Writing off makes sense when the customer has closed with no assets, filed for bankruptcy, cannot be found, or the amount is smaller than the time and fees it would take to recover. Before you do, send one firm final notice. Ask your accountant how a written-off debt is treated in your books.
What if my invoice is more than the small claims limit?
Above the limit you would usually file in a higher court, use a commercial collection agency, or hire a lawyer. Some owners choose to claim only the limit and give up the rest so they can stay in small claims. A lawyer can tell you whether that trade is sensible for your invoice.
Is the invoice checker legal advice?
No. The checker applies a few general rules to your answers and suggests a common route. It does not know the details of your contract or your customer. Easy Small Claims is not a law firm. If your situation is complicated or the customer disputes the work, talk to a licensed attorney.
A small business owner himself, Nitin has been on the wrong end of an unpaid invoice and knows how easy it is to give up on one. He built Easy Small Claims so owners can get that money back. He is also a practicing barrister.