Texas Answer Deadline Chart 2025

Applies to Texas district and county courts. Under Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b), a defendant must file a written answer by 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday after the expiration of 20 days following service of citation. For answers by publication, see Tex. R. Civ. P. 114.

How It Works — Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b)

Plain-English rule: Count 20 calendar days from the service date. Then find the first Monday after that 20-day period. The answer is due by 10:00 a.m. on that Monday.

Holiday note: If that Monday is a Texas court holiday, the due date shifts to the next business day (typically Tuesday). Always verify local holiday schedules.

Scope: This chart is built for Texas district and county courts (state court). It does not apply to federal cases. For publication service deadlines, see Tex. R. Civ. P. 114 (42-day rule).

* If the listed Monday is a Texas court holiday and courts are closed, the answer is due the next business day (typically Tuesday). This chart is informational only—verify deadlines against the current Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and any applicable local rules/holiday schedules.