Answer Deadline Calculator
This Texas Answer Deadline Calculator applies only to lawsuits in county and district courts in the State of Texas. For cases pending in federal courts, please see our federal rules deadline calculators.
How long do I have to answer a civil lawsuit in Texas?
In cases in district or county court, a defendant must file a written answer by 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday after the expiration of 20 days following the service of citation on the defendant. Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b).
To determine the deadline, enter or use the calendar icon to select the day the defendant was served and click “Calcuate Answer Deadline.” You must file your answer on or before this date by 10:00 a.m. at the latest.
Court holidays specific to certain jurisdictions and court closures may affect your deadlines.
Information provided by this deadline calculator is offered “as is” and for informational purposes only. This website does not provide legal advice. Exercise your own due diligence and verify your deadlines using your own calendar or software tools. By using this site you agree to do your own independent date calculation for your case and hold CourtDeadlines.com harmless for any issues arising from a missed deadline.
As noted above, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99(b) says the citation accompanying a plaintiff’s Petition shall direct the defendant to answer on or before 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday after the expiration of 20 days after the date of service.
If a defendant is served by publication and citation was issued from a district or county court, a defendant’s answer is due by 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday after the expiration of 42 days after the issuance of citation. Tex. R. Civ. P. 114.
When the answer date falls on a state holiday and the state courts are closed, the answer is due the following business day.
Always verify the current Texas rules, as well as possible rules advisories, when using this answer date table.
View our deadline calculators for resources to help you determine other due dates.
