Under Review

Note Many new Texas laws took effect on September 1st, 2025. We are working on reviewing this page and making updates if needed. However, information may be out of date until our review is complete. For help locating current laws, ask a librarian.

Requesting a Turnover Order

If there is nonexempt property that a creditor cannot obtain through any of the other collection methods, they can file for a turnover order. In a turnover order the Court may:

order the debtor to deliver the property to the sheriff or constable to sell at auction to satisfy the judgment
apply the property to satisfy the judgment
appoint a receiver to take possession of the property to sell in order to satisfy the judgment

Texas Law

Section 31.002 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code
State law governing the collection of a judgment through a turnover proceeding in court.
Section 31.010 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code
State law governing turnover proceedings against a financial institution in order to turn over property related to the debtor.

Court Rules

Rule 679a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
Court rule governing turnover orders issued by the court.

Understanding the Law

Civil Deskbook
Created by the Texas Justice Court Training Center, this deskbook covers procedure in civil cases in justice court. Chapter 10, Section H discusses turnover orders.
Turnover Receivers and Debt Collection
An article from TexasLawHelp.org that discusses how turnover receivers can be appointed by the court to help a creditor collect on a debt.
Turnover Proceedings
A 2019 publication from a private law firm on the steps in a turnover proceeding.
Turnover Orders from the Consumer's Perspective
Written with the debtor in mind, this article from the Journal of Consumer & Commercial Law provides a general overview of the Texas law as well as the steps in the turnover process.

E-Books

Texas residents can access e-books with a free library account.

Texas collections manual
This manual walks readers through the entire process of debt collection as well as provides templates for commonly used legal forms. Topics covered include finding debtor and debtor’s assets, repossession, postjudgment remedies and liens, bankruptcy, as well as trial procedure.

Books

Available when you visit the library in person.

How to collect your own judgment in Texas [print book]
Geared towards pro se individuals, this guide is a "plain English" explanation to the process of collecting a judgment in Texas.
The Texas judgment debtor handbook [print book]
For those who owe a debt, this guide is a "plain English" explanation on what a creditor can and cannot do to collect a judgment in Texas.
Texas litigation guide [print book]
Call Number: KFT 170 D6
Volume 9, Chapter 132 discusses enforcement of judgments.
Texas legal practice forms [print book]
Volume 4, Chapter 68 provides templates for forms related to debt collection.

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

Texas State
Law Library

Small Claims Cases