Houston, TX
Collection Agencies & Collection Attorneys in Houston
Are Houston customers behind on invoices, or do you need to collect from a Houston business or resident? We match creditors with vetted collection agencies and Texas-licensed collection attorneys that handle Houston-area accounts. Free for creditors, no obligation.
Who's owed money in Houston
Houston creditors include energy and petrochemical service companies, port and logistics firms, construction and industrial contractors, and one of the country's largest medical sectors. Large commercial balances and contractor-payment disputes are common.
Which rules apply to Houston accounts
Texas law applies, including the chapter 392 bonding requirement for third-party consumer collectors and Texas's strong exemptions. For construction claims, mechanic's and materialman's lien deadlines can matter as much as collection, so involve counsel early.
| Texas general rule | Summary |
|---|---|
| Statute of limitations — written contracts | about 4 years |
| Statute of limitations — open accounts | about 4 years |
| State collection-agency license | Generally required (at least for consumer debt) |
Details and caveats are on our Texas collections page. Rules usually depend on where the debtor is located, so a Houston creditor collecting from someone in another state may face that state's rules instead.
Where Houston collection cases are filed
Depending on the amount, claims are filed in Harris County justice courts, county civil courts at law or district courts. Debtors in Fort Bend, Montgomery or Brazoria counties are sued locally. Agencies don't file suits themselves. If litigation is needed, the account goes to a collection attorney admitted in Texas.
How placement works for Houston accounts
- Tell us about the accounts: whether the debtors are businesses or consumers, the balances, how old they are and where the debtors are located.
- We match you: with agencies that collect in Texas and, if needed, Texas collection attorneys. B2B balances go to commercial specialists, and consumer or medical balances only to partners that represent they comply with the FDCPA, Regulation F and Texas law.
- You compare terms and decide: contingency rates, reporting and legal-forwarding terms, directly with the partner.
Before placing, try a final notice letter or a demand letter, and gather your documentation (see what to prepare).
Agency or attorney?
Most Houston past-due accounts start with an agency: letters, calls, skip tracing and negotiated payment plans, usually on contingency. Larger, disputed or time-sensitive claims, and judgments that need enforcing, go to a collection attorney. See judgment collection if you've already won in court.
Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws, court rules and dollar limits change. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency, and we don't list or endorse specific local agencies here. Confirm details with a licensed attorney in the relevant state.
Frequently asked questions
Should a Houston contractor file a lien or send the account to collections?
Sometimes both. Texas construction lien rules have strict notice and filing deadlines, so a collection attorney should review the claim quickly. An agency can pursue payment in parallel.
How much does a collection agency charge in Houston?
Most agencies work on contingency, keeping a percentage of what they recover. The rate depends on the age, size and type of the debt and on volume, not on the city. Get the rate schedule in writing.
Do I need a Houston agency, or can a national agency collect there?
Either can work. What matters is that the agency is licensed or registered where Texas requires it, handles your debt type and can forward the account to a Texas attorney if needed.
Can CollectionPlacement help if I'm the one being collected from in Houston?
No. We only work with creditors. Consumers should look at CFPB debt-collection resources or a local bar referral service.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with a collection partner
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review and introduce you to vetted agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.