Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99 governs the deadline to file an answer in most civil cases filed in Texas district courts and county courts at law.
The citation shall direct the defendant to file a written answer to the plaintiff’s petition on or before 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next after the expiration of twenty days after the date of service thereof.
Tex. R. Civ. P. 99.
In practical terms, the calculation works like this:
- Count twenty days beginning the day after service.
- Identify the next Monday after that twentieth day.
- The answer must be filed by 10:00 a.m. on that Monday.
If the 20th day falls on a Monday, go to the next Monday. If the Monday appearance day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 4.
How to Calculate a Texas Answer Deadline
Texas answer deadlines are not simply 20 days after service. This guide explains Rule 99’s “Monday at 10:00 a.m.” rule step by step.
What Does “Monday Next After the Expiration of Twenty Days” Mean?
Texas citations say an answer is due “Monday next after the expiration of twenty days after service.” This guide explains what that phrase means and how the rule works under Texas Rule 99.
What If the Texas Answer Deadline Falls on a Holiday?
Texas Rule 4 governs what happens when an answer deadline falls on a legal holiday. Here’s how to calculate the correct answer date.
Common Texas Answer Deadline Mistakes
From miscounting service days to misunderstanding substituted service, these are the most common pitfalls lawyers make when calculating answer deadlines.
Multiple Defendants and Different Service Dates
When defendants get served on different days, the answer deadline can differ by party. Here’s how to track it cleanly without mixing dates.
Substituted Service and Texas Answer Deadlines
Substituted service raises practical questions about timing and proof. This guide explains how lawyers typically approach answer deadlines when service is not personal.
When Does the Texas Answer Deadline Start Running?
It sounds simple, but “service date” can get fuzzy in real cases. This post clarifies what date you should actually plug into the calculator.
Texas Answer Date Calculator (TRCP 99)
Calculate a Texas defendant’s answer deadline under Rule 99. Enter the service date and get the correct “Monday at 10:00 a.m.” answer date, accounting for weekends and holidays.
Calculate Your Texas Answer DeadlineTexas Answer Deadline Quick Reference
- Texas answer deadlines are governed primarily by Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99
- The default deadline is the Monday next after 20 days from service, at 10:00 a.m.
- When a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 4 applies
- Answer deadlines are calculated per defendant, based on that defendant’s service date
- Court-specific orders or case-specific circumstances may alter standard deadlines
Practice Note:
These resources reflect the general operation of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Always confirm deadlines based on the specific facts of service and any applicable court orders.