Bar Foundation Funds Evaluation of Pilot Program to Improve Engagement in Court Processes, Reduce Default Judgments in Debt Collection Cases

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Appleseed has received a $20,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to support an analysis of a pilot program that aims to increase answer rates and reduce default judgments in debt collection lawsuits by providing defendants with a plain language letter. The letter uses accessible language to inform defendants of their rights, educate them about the court process, and ultimately increase court participation.

Debt collection case filings in Texas jumped 82% from 2022 to 2025. Texas Appleseed’s past research found that 92% of defendants in Harris County were unrepresented by legal counsel, and 62% of cases ended in default judgments — judgments made in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant failed to answer the lawsuit or appear in court. These lawsuits disproportionately affect low-income Texans.  

“Analyzing the rollout of the plain language letter in the court is critical to understanding how to best improve defendants’ experience and maximize fairness in the court process,” said Dr. Ellen Stone, Director of Research at Texas Appleseed. 

In 2023, Texas Appleseed developed and focus group-tested a plain language debt collection letter packet. The resulting study showed that it would significantly improve defendants’ understanding of the case and their likelihood of engaging in the legal process. In June 2024, Harris County Justice of the Peace (JP) Precinct 1, Place 2, began piloting a modified version of the letter by including it with the lawsuit petition and citation and mailing it to defendants again prior to their hearings. 

“I took office in 2023 with concern about the rising volume of consumer debt cases and the cottage industry around them," said Judge Steve Duble, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2. While researching debt collection case issues, the judge read the Texas Judicial Council’s 2020 Civil Justice Committee Report and Resolutions recommending that courts send defendants a plain language packet with an answer form after the lawsuit is filed and a second time, before a default judgment is entered. Those recommendations are the basis of this pilot. "I am happy to pilot this important effort in my court and hope it will provide Texas JP courts with a model to fulfill the Texas Judicial Council's vision for enhancing access to justice in all Texas JP courts.”

This is the first formal evaluation in Texas of a court-issued, plain language communication designed to improve consumer debt lawsuit outcomes.

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About the Texas Bar Foundation
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

About Texas Appleseed
As one of the most trusted resources for data-driven policy analysis and solutions, Texas Appleseed advocates at the state and local level for fair, just, and equitable laws. Our work has shaped hundreds of laws and positively affected millions of Texans by breaking down barriers through transformative policy solutions. Visit www.TexasAppleseed.org for more information.