Can some random attorney legitimately search County Court records for lawsuits against someone?

My mother in law in Texas received a letter today from an attorney at law, stating that while they are not the firm suing her, they searched our county courthouse records and discovered that she is being sued by Capital One (whom she does owe money to on a defaulted credit card from 04 which is likely reaching its SOL). They say that we may not have received notice of it (the suit) yet but they can help her by filing bankruptcy, etc. At this point she has received no summons or information or anything from court. I want to know if this is legit and is she likely to be served in the near future. I also want to know how is it legal for just any old body to go searching courthouse records to see who is being litigated against. Is this just a collection agency scare-tactic or is it for real?