Rule 142 Security for Costs

When you file a lawsuit in Texas, you have to pay court fees upfront before the court will take any action on your case. The clerk will not send out any legal notices or paperwork to the other side until you pay these fees.

There is one exception. If you cannot afford to pay, you can ask the court to let you file for free by following Rule 145, which covers fee waivers for people who cannot pay.