Texas Answer Date Calculator 2024

Texas Answer Date Calculator 2024

Determine the deadline to file your Answer in a Texas civil lawsuit.

function calculateAnswerDate() { var dateOfServiceInput = document.getElementById("dateOfService").value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); if (!dateOfServiceInput) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please select the date you were served."; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3cd"; resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#ffeeba"; resultDiv.style.color = "#856404"; return; } // List of 2024 Texas Judicial Holidays (full-day closures) // Format: YYYY-MM-DD var holidays2024 = [ "2024-01-01", // New Year's Day "2024-01-15", // Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday "2024-02-19", // Presidents' Day "2024-03-29", // Good Friday "2024-05-27", // Memorial Day "2024-06-19", // Juneteenth National Independence Day "2024-07-04", // Independence Day "2024-09-02", // Labor Day "2024-11-11", // Veterans Day "2024-11-28", // Thanksgiving Day "2024-11-29", // Day after Thanksgiving "2024-12-24", // Christmas Eve "2024-12-25" // Christmas Day ]; // Helper function to check if a date is a holiday function isHoliday(date) { var year = date.getFullYear(); var month = ('0' + (date.getMonth() + 1)).slice(-2); var day = ('0' + date.getDate()).slice(-2); var dateString = year + '-' + month + '-' + day; return holidays2024.indexOf(dateString) > -1; } // Parse the input date to avoid timezone issues var parts = dateOfServiceInput.split('-'); var year = parseInt(parts[0], 10); var month = parseInt(parts[1], 10) – 1; // Month is 0-indexed var day = parseInt(parts[2], 10); var serviceDate = new Date(year, month, day); // Calculate the expiration of 20 days var expirationDate = new Date(serviceDate); expirationDate.setDate(expirationDate.getDate() + 20); // Find the next Monday after the expiration date var answerDate = new Date(expirationDate); answerDate.setDate(answerDate.getDate() + 1); // Start checking from the day after expiration while (answerDate.getDay() !== 1) { // 1 = Monday answerDate.setDate(answerDate.getDate() + 1); } // If the calculated Monday is a holiday, move to the next non-holiday business day while (isHoliday(answerDate)) { answerDate.setDate(answerDate.getDate() + 1); } // Format the final date for display var options = { weekday: 'long', year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' }; var formattedDate = answerDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options); resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your Answer is due by 10:00 AM on ' + formattedDate + '.'; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#eef5ff"; resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#b8d7ff"; resultDiv.style.color = "#004085"; }

Understanding Your Texas Answer Deadline

When you are sued in a Texas civil court, you are served with a "citation" and a "petition." The citation is the official notice of the lawsuit, and the petition details the plaintiff's claims against you. You are required to file a formal response, called an "Answer," with the court by a specific deadline. This calculator helps you determine that critical date for most Texas Justice, County, and District court cases.

How the Calculation Works: The "20 Plus Monday" Rule

In Texas, the deadline to file an Answer is governed by Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99. The rule states that the Answer is due by 10:00 AM on the first Monday after the expiration of 20 days from the date you were served.

Here's a breakdown of the calculation:

  1. Count 20 Days: The clock starts the day after you are served. You count 20 full days from that point.
  2. Find the Next Monday: After the 20-day period has expired, you find the very next Monday on the calendar.
  3. Your Deadline: That Monday is your Answer Date. The deadline is technically 10:00 AM on that day.

Example Calculation

Let's say you were served with a lawsuit on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

  • Day 1: Thursday, August 8, 2024.
  • Day 20: Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The 20-day period expires at the end of this day.
  • Find the Next Monday: The first Monday after August 27, 2024, is Monday, September 2, 2024.
  • Check for Holidays: However, September 2, 2024, is Labor Day, a court holiday.
  • Final Deadline: Because the calculated Monday is a holiday, the deadline rolls over to the next business day. Your Answer would be due by 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The Importance of Court Holidays

If your calculated Answer Date falls on a day the courthouse is officially closed (a legal holiday), your deadline is automatically extended to the next day the court is open for business. This calculator accounts for the official 2024 Texas judicial holidays. Failing to account for holidays could cause you to miscalculate your deadline.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Failing to file an Answer by the deadline can have severe consequences. The plaintiff (the person who sued you) can ask the court for a "default judgment." If granted, the court can rule in the plaintiff's favor without you ever getting a chance to present your side of the case. This means you could be ordered to pay money or take certain actions simply because you did not respond in time. It is absolutely critical to meet this deadline.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Court rules can be complex and may vary based on the specific court or circumstances of your case (e.g., substituted service). You should always consult with a qualified Texas attorney regarding your specific legal situation.

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