When your client loses a money judgment in Texas and wants to appeal, the judgment does not politely wait. The winning party can begin collecting — garnishing accounts, placing liens, seizing assets — even while the appeal is pending. A supersedeas bond is what stops that. Post one, and enforcement is suspended until the appellate court rules. Here is how Texas calculates the amount, the caps that protect appellants, and how to get the bond in place before collection starts.
“Supersedeas” comes from the Latin for “you shall desist,” and the bond does exactly that: it suspends enforcement of the trial court's judgment during appeal. It also reassures the judgment creditor that if the appeal fails, the money will be there to collect. Texas governs the mechanism through Rule 24 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (TRAP) and Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 52.006.
For a money judgment, the bond generally equals the compensatory damages awarded, plus interest for the estimated duration of the appeal, plus court costs. Importantly, Texas excludes punitive damages and other non-compensatory amounts from that calculation — a meaningful break for appellants facing large verdicts.
Texas places a ceiling on supersedeas amounts so a large judgment cannot effectively deny someone the ability to appeal. The bond cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the judgment debtor's net worth or $25 million. Net worth is total assets minus total liabilities under generally accepted accounting principles, and a 2024 Dallas Court of Appeals decision confirmed the $25 million cap applies per judgment debtor. If posting even the capped amount would cause substantial economic harm, an appellant can ask the trial court to lower it further.
To claim the net-worth cap, the judgment debtor files an affidavit stating net worth and the supporting basis for it. The creditor can contest that affidavit, which triggers discovery and a hearing. Get the affidavit right the first time — a sloppy one invites a fight that delays the very stay you are trying to secure.
You do not pay the face amount of a supersedeas bond. You pay a premium, typically a percentage of the bond amount, and the surety guarantees the rest — usually backed by collateral or a financial review for larger judgments. Because enforcement can begin quickly after judgment, the practical goal is to have the bond ready close to the moment judgment is signed. A surety experienced in Texas appellate bonds can move fast once the financials are assembled.
Jurisco has handled supersedeas and appeal bonds in Texas and all 50 states since 1987. Founded by an attorney, the team is used to working against appellate clocks and can usually turn around a quote quickly once the judgment amount and financial picture are clear.
If you appeal without posting a supersedeas bond, nothing stops the judgment creditor from enforcing the judgment while your appeal is pending. They can garnish bank accounts, file abstracts of judgment as liens against real property, and pursue post-judgment discovery into your client's assets. If you ultimately win the appeal, recovering money the creditor already collected can be difficult and slow. That is the core reason the bond exists: it preserves the status quo so an appeal is not rendered meaningless by collection that happens before the appellate court can rule. For most appellants with assets worth protecting, posting the bond is not optional in any practical sense.
What does a supersedeas bond do in Texas?
It suspends enforcement of a judgment so the creditor cannot collect while you appeal.
How much is a Texas supersedeas bond?
Generally compensatory damages plus interest plus costs, capped at the lesser of 50% of net worth or $25 million.
Are punitive damages included in the amount?
No. Texas excludes punitive and other non-compensatory damages from the supersedeas calculation.
How fast can I get one?
Often within a few days once the judgment amount and financial information are ready.