Lapin Law Group, P.C.
  • HOME
  • LEGAL SERVICES
  • LAW PLAN
  • LEGAL BLOG
  • ATTORNEY FEES
  • ABOUT US
    • ATTORNEYS
    • FIREARMS LAW ATTORNEY
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CONTACT US

What is the time limit in Texas for responding to lawsuits?

6/24/2021

1 Comment

 
Lapin Law Offices is the Dallas law firm for real estate investors, small business owners, and other entrepreneurs. We place emphasis on providing clients with the legal services they need to start and grow their businesses and to preserve their wealth. We accept litigation and non-litigation legal matters in the following practice areas: Asset Protection, Business and Corporate Law, Contract Law, Crowdfunding, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Real Estate Law, Securities Law and Private Placements, and more.
For lawsuits filed in a Texas District or County court, a defendant usually must file an answer with the court no later than twenty (20) days after being served with a lawsuit.
Vertical Divider
“The citation shall include the following notice to the defendant: ‘You have been sued.  You may employ an attorney.  If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you.’” 
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 99.c.
For lawsuits filed in a Texas Justice court, a defendant usually must file an answer with the court no later than ten (10) days after being served with the lawsuit.
Vertical Divider
“Where citation has been personally served at least ten days before appearance day, exclusive of the day of service and of return, the answer of the defendant shall be filed at or before ten o'clock a.m. on such day. . . .” 
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 535.
What, you might ask, is an “answer” that must be filed with the court?

The answer that must be filed with the court is nothing more than a properly-formatted legal document that tells the court that you do not agree with some or all of the statements contained in the petition that was filed by the plaintiff and with which you were served.

Filing a legally-sufficient answer — in a timely manner — is necessary to protect your right to tell your side of the story in court.

A word of caution: Although timely filing an answer will usually protect your legal rights, there are circumstances where filing an answer may actually WAIVE certain rights or defenses that you may have to a lawsuit.

The best course of action, of course, is to always obtain competent legal advice and representation as soon as possible, which often may be prior to the filing or service of a lawsuit.

But at a minimum, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after being served with a lawsuit.  Any delay beyond this point in time may make it difficult — or possibly even impossible — to find an attorney who will have the time to help you.

Lapin Law Group is Your Aggressive and Experienced Texas Law Firm.
We Accept Litigation Legal Matters Throughout the State of Texas


Related Blog Post:
The Texas Court System Demystified

Learn why you should not be Pro Se in legal proceedings before courts or administrative bodies.  Watch our popular video below.
For more information on the Texas Court System, watch our popular video below.

Learn how you can have a Lawyer Available Whenever to review your legal documents and answer your legal questions. Watch our popular video below.

GET A FREE e-BOOK

Picture
Texas Legal Guides provide FREE in-depth analysis and explanation of areas of Texas law that are relevant to Texas entrepreneurs and real estate investors.
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A COPY

Disclaimer
The information contained in this publication is provided by Lapin Law Group, P.C., for informational purposes only and shall not constitute legal advice or serve as the basis for the creation of an attorney-client relationship.  The laws and interpretation of laws discussed herein may not accurately reflect the law in the reader’s jurisdiction.  Do not rely on the information contained in this publication for any purpose.  If you have a specific legal question, please consult with an attorney in your jurisdiction who is competent to assist you.

Lapin Law Group, with its principal office located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, serves all 254 Texas counties.

1 Comment
Debbie Warford link
12/29/2019 11:25:09

Lapin has been the go to Real Estate Attorney for many of the Investors that I work with.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    LAPIN LAW GROUP is the Texas law firm for clients who seek to maximize and safeguard their net worth.

    We accept litigation and non-litigation legal matters throughout the State of Texas in the following practice areas: Asset Protection, Business and Corporate Law, Contract Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Real Estate Investor Law, Securities Law and Private Placements, Immigration Law, Family Law, Firearms and 2nd Amendment Law, and more.

    Call us at (877) 570-2200

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.