District or County Court (Rule 99)
Justice of the Peace (JP) Court (Rule 502)
function calculateTXDeadline() {
var serviceDateInput = document.getElementById("serviceDate").value;
var courtType = document.getElementById("courtType").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("resultDisplay");
var deadlineText = document.getElementById("deadlineDate");
var ruleText = document.getElementById("deadlineRule");
if (!serviceDateInput) {
alert("Please select the date you were served.");
return;
}
var serviceDate = new Date(serviceDateInput + 'T12:00:00'); // Use noon to avoid timezone shift
var deadlineDate = new Date(serviceDate);
var resultMessage = "";
if (courtType === "district") {
// Rule 99: Monday next after the expiration of 20 days
// 1. Go out 20 days
deadlineDate.setDate(deadlineDate.getDate() + 20);
// 2. Find the "Monday next after"
// If day 20 is Sunday (0), next Monday is +1
// If day 20 is Monday (1), the rule says Monday next *after* expiration, so it's +7
// If day 20 is Friday (5), next Monday is +3
var dayOfWeek = deadlineDate.getDay();
var daysUntilMonday = (8 – dayOfWeek) % 7;
if (daysUntilMonday === 0) daysUntilMonday = 7;
deadlineDate.setDate(deadlineDate.getDate() + daysUntilMonday);
resultMessage = "Your answer is due by 10:00 AM on the Monday calculated above.";
ruleText.innerHTML = "Rule: TRCP 99(b) – 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days.";
} else {
// Rule 502: 14 days after service
deadlineDate.setDate(deadlineDate.getDate() + 14);
// If the 14th day is Sat, Sun, or legal holiday, it goes to the next business day
// (Note: This script handles Sat/Sun; user should manually adjust for bank holidays)
if (deadlineDate.getDay() === 6) { // Saturday
deadlineDate.setDate(deadlineDate.getDate() + 2);
} else if (deadlineDate.getDay() === 0) { // Sunday
deadlineDate.setDate(deadlineDate.getDate() + 1);
}
resultMessage = "Your answer is due by the end of the business day.";
ruleText.innerHTML = "Rule: TRCP 502.5(d) – 14 days after the day of service.";
}
var options = { weekday: 'long', year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' };
deadlineText.innerHTML = "Deadline: " + deadlineDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options);
resultDiv.style.display = "block";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#fff3cd";
resultDiv.style.border = "2px solid #ffeeba";
}
How to Calculate Your Texas Lawsuit Answer Deadline
In Texas, the clock starts ticking the moment you are officially served with a citation and petition. Missing an answer deadline can lead to a default judgment, where the court grants the plaintiff what they asked for because you failed to respond. The calculation depends entirely on which court the case is filed in.
1. District and County Courts (Rule 99)
For most civil lawsuits in Texas District or County Courts, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99 governs the deadline. The rule states that your answer is due by 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after the date of service.
Step 1: Count 20 days from the day after you were served.
Step 2: Locate the following Monday on the calendar.
Important: If the 20th day falls on a Monday, your answer is not due that day; it is due the following Monday.
2. Justice of the Peace Courts (Rule 502)
Small claims cases or evictions in JP courts follow Rule 502.5. These move faster than District Court cases. The deadline is the end of the 14th day after the date of service. If that 14th day falls on a weekend or a legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
What if the Monday is a Legal Holiday?
If the calculated Monday is a legal holiday (like Labor Day or Christmas), the answer deadline is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday (usually Tuesday at 10:00 AM).
Deadlines Example Calculation (2024)
If Served On:
Court Type:
Answer Deadline:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
District Court
Monday, June 3, 2024
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Justice Court
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Deadlines can be affected by specific local rules, court closures, or the Texas Supreme Court's emergency orders. Always consult with a licensed Texas attorney to confirm your specific filing deadline.