Texas probate, civil and family deadlines

Publish notice to creditors

1 month after the date letters were issued

Within one month after receiving letters testamentary or of administration, a personal representative of an estate shall provide notice requiring each person who has a claim against the estate to present the claim within the period prescribed by law

Tex. Est. Code §308.051 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notify known secured creditors

2 months after the date letters were issued

Within two months after receiving letters testamentary or of administration, a personal representative of an estate shall give notice of the issuance of the letters to each person the representative knows to have a claim for money against the estate that is secured by estate property.

Tex. Est. Code §308.053 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Inventory, appraisement and list of claims (or affidavit in lieu)

90 days after the date letters were issued

before the 91st day after the date the personal representative qualifies, the representative shall prepare and file with the court clerk a single written instrument that contains a verified, full, and detailed inventory

Tex. Est. Code §§309.051, 309.056 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

First annual account (dependent administration)

12 months and 60 days after the date letters were issued

Not later than the 60th day after the first anniversary of the date a personal representative qualifies and receives letters testamentary or of administration to administer a decedent's estate under court order, unless the court authorizes an extension, the representative shall file with the court an account

Tex. Est. Code §359.001 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice to will beneficiaries

60 days after the order admitting the will

Not later than the 60th day after the date of an order admitting a decedent's will to probate, the personal representative... shall give notice... to each beneficiary named in the will whose identity and address are known

Tex. Est. Code §308.002 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Affidavit or certificate that beneficiaries were notified

90 days after the order admitting the will

Not later than the 90th day after the date of an order admitting a will to probate, the personal representative shall file with the clerk... a sworn affidavit of the representative or a certificate signed by the representative's attorney

Tex. Est. Code §308.004 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Claims after a permissive notice to an unsecured creditor

the creditor must present the claim before the 121st day after the date of the receipt of the notice or the claim is barred

Tex. Est. Code §308.054 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Answer due (10:00 a.m. Monday after day 20)

20 days after the summons and complaint were servedThen the Monday next after

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(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Last day to file Rule 91a motion to dismiss (baseless causes of action)

60 days after the summons and complaint were served

filed within 60 days after the first pleading containing the challenged cause of action is served on the movant;

Tex. R. Civ. P. 91a.3(a); 91a.1 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Interrogatory responses due

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The responding party must serve a written response on the requesting party ... within 30 days after service of the interrogatories, except that a defendant in a suit governed by the Family Code

Tex. R. Civ. P. 197.2(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responses to requests for production due

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The responding party must serve a written response on the requesting party ... within 30 days after service of the request, except that a defendant in a suit governed by the Family Code

Tex. R. Civ. P. 196.2(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responses to requests for admission due (else deemed admitted)

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The responding party must serve a written response on the requesting party within 30 days after service of the request, ... If a response is not timely served, the request is considered admitted without the necessity of a court order.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 198.2(a), (c); 198.3 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Summary-judgment response due (motions filed on or after March 1, 2026)

21 days after the motion was filed

Except on leave of court or agreement of the parties, the nonmovant must file a response within 21 days after the motion is filed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(d)(1) (as amended eff. Mar. 1, 2026) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Earliest day a summary-judgment hearing or submission may be set

35 days after the motion was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period

A hearing or submission date must not be set within 35 days after the motion's filing.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(g)(1) (Misc. Docket No. 26-9012) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Motion and notice of hearing must be served (3 business days before)

3 court days before the hearing

not less than three days before the time specified for the court proceeding, unless otherwise provided by these rules or shortened by the court.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(b); Tex. R. Civ. P. 4 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Rule 91a motion to dismiss must be filed (21 days before hearing)

21 days before the hearing

filed at least 21 days before the motion is heard; and

Tex. R. Civ. P. 91a.3(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Response to Rule 91a motion to dismiss due (7 days before hearing)

7 days before the hearing

Any response to the motion must be filed no later than 7 days before the date of the hearing.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 91a.4 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Last day to serve interrogatories, production requests and requests for admission

30 days before discovery closes

A party may serve on another party--no later than 30 days before the end of the discovery period--

Tex. R. Civ. P. 196.1(a); 197.1; 198.1 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Designate experts for party seeking affirmative relief

90 days before discovery closes

with regard to all experts testifying for a party seeking affirmative relief, ... 90 days before the end of the discovery period;

Tex. R. Civ. P. 195.2(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Designate all other experts

60 days before discovery closes

(b) with regard to all other experts, 60 days before the end of the discovery period.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 195.2(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Pretrial disclosures (witnesses and exhibits) due

30 days before trial

Unless the court orders otherwise, these disclosures must be made at least 30 days before trial.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.4(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Level 2 discovery period ends (no later than 30 days before trial)

30 days before trial

which begins when the first initial disclosures are due and continues until the earlier of: ... (i) 30 days before the date set for trial; or ... (ii) nine months after the first initial disclosures are due.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.3(b)(1)(A) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Request for findings of fact and conclusions of law due (bench trial)

20 days after judgment was entered

shall be filed within twenty days after judgment is signed with the clerk of the court

Tex. R. Civ. P. 296; Tex. R. Civ. P. 306a(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Motion for new trial / motion to modify, correct or reform judgment due

30 days after judgment was entered

A motion for new trial, if filed, shall be filed prior to or within thirty days ... after the judgment or other order complained of is signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(a), (g) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Unruled motion for new trial/modify overruled by operation of law

75 days after judgment was entered

is not determined by written order signed within seventy-five days after the judgment was signed, ... it shall be considered overruled by operation of law on expiration of that period.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(c), (e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal due (no post-judgment motion)

30 days after judgment was entered

The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the judgment is signed, except as follows:

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal due (after timely motion for new trial/modify/reinstate or findings request)

90 days after judgment was entered

(a) the notice of appeal must be filed within 90 days after the judgment is signed if any party timely files:

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of accelerated appeal due (interlocutory and other accelerated appeals)

20 days after judgment was entered

(b) in an accelerated appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within 20 days after the judgment or order is signed;

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b); 28.1(a), (b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Restricted appeal outer deadline

6 months after judgment was entered

(c) in a restricted appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within six months ... after the judgment or order is signed; and

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Initial disclosures due 30 days after the first answer is filed

A party must make the initial disclosures within 30 days after the filing of the first answer or general appearance

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.2(a), (c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Citation by publication: answer by 10 a.m. first Monday after 42 days from issuance

at or before 10 o'clock a.m. of the first Monday after the expiration of 42 days from the date of issuance thereof.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 114 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

General motion responses: no statewide deadline from service

not less than three days before the time specified for the court proceeding, unless otherwise provided by these rules or shortened by the court.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Summary judgment (motions filed on/after Mar. 1, 2026): reply, hearing window, ruling

A hearing or submission date must not be set within 35 days after the motion's filing.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(b)(3), (c), (e)(1), (g)(1), (i) (eff. Mar. 1, 2026) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Late notice of judgment can restart post-judgment periods (max 90 days after signing)

but in no event shall such periods begin more than ninety days after the original judgment or other appealable order was signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 306a(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

15-day grace period to extend notice of appeal

The appellate court may extend the time to file the notice of appeal if, within 15 days after the deadline

Tex. R. App. P. 26.3 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Trial court plenary power: 30 days after signing if no timely motion

or to vacate, modify, correct, or reform the judgment within thirty days after the judgment is signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(d), (e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Another party's notice of appeal: the later of your own period or 14 days after theirs

or 14 days after the first filed notice of appeal, whichever is later.

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Earliest date divorce may be granted (60-day waiting period)

60 days after the petition was filedEarliest day, not a last day

Except as provided by Subsection (c), the court may not grant a divorce before the 60th day after the date the suit ... was filed.

Tex. Fam. Code §6.702(a), (c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Answer to divorce or parent-child (SAPCR) petition due (10:00 a.m. Monday after day 20)

20 days after the petition was servedThen the Monday next after

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(b); Tex. R. Civ. P. 2 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responses to interrogatories, production, admissions and requests for disclosure due

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The responding party must serve a written response on the requesting party within 30 days after service of the request

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194a.3; 196.2(a); 197.2(a); 198.2(a), (c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responses due when served before respondent's answer was due (Family Code suits)

50 days after the discovery requests were served

except that a defendant in a suit governed by the Family Code served with a request before the defendant's answer is due ... need not respond until 50 days after service of the request.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194a.3(a); 196.2(a); 197.2(a); 198.2(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Summary-judgment response due (motions filed on or after March 1, 2026)

21 days after the motion was filed

Except on leave of court or agreement of the parties, the nonmovant must file a response within 21 days after the motion is filed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(d)(1) (as amended eff. Mar. 1, 2026) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Earliest day a summary-judgment hearing or submission may be set

35 days after the motion was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period

A hearing or submission date must not be set within 35 days after the motion's filing.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(g)(1) (Misc. Docket No. 26-9012) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Motion and notice of hearing must be served (3 business days before)

3 court days before the hearing

not less than three days before the time specified for the court proceeding, unless otherwise provided by these rules or shortened by the court.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(b); Tex. R. Civ. P. 4 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Last day to serve interrogatories, production requests and requests for admission

30 days before discovery closes

A party may serve on another party--no later than 30 days before the end of the discovery period--

Tex. R. Civ. P. 196.1(a); 197.1; 198.1 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Expert disclosure for party seeking affirmative relief (Family Code suit, if requested)

90 days before discovery closes

(1) with respect to an expert testifying for a party seeking affirmative relief, 90 days before the end of the discovery period; or

Tex. R. Civ. P. 195a.2(b)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Expert disclosure for all other parties (Family Code suit, if requested)

60 days before discovery closes

(2) with respect to an expert not described by paragraph (b)(1), 60 days before the end of the discovery period.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 195a.2(b)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Level 2 discovery period ends in Family Code suit (30 days before trial)

30 days before trial

which begins when the suit is filed and continues until 30 days before the date set for trial.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.3(b)(1)(B) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Unruled motion for new trial/modify overruled by operation of law

75 days after the judgment was entered

is not determined by written order signed within seventy-five days after the judgment was signed, ... it shall be considered overruled by operation of law on expiration of that period.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(c), (e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of accelerated appeal due (interlocutory and other accelerated appeals)

20 days after the judgment was entered

(b) in an accelerated appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within 20 days after the judgment or order is signed;

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b); 28.1(a), (b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Restricted appeal outer deadline

6 months after the judgment was entered

(c) in a restricted appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within six months ... after the judgment or order is signed; and

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Motion for new trial or to modify a divorce or parent-child (SAPCR) judgment due

30 days after the judgment was entered

A motion for new trial, if filed, shall be filed prior to or within thirty days ... after the judgment or other order complained of is signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(a), (g); Tex. R. Civ. P. 2 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Request for findings of fact and conclusions of law due

20 days after the judgment was entered

shall be filed within twenty days after judgment is signed with the clerk of the court

Tex. R. Civ. P. 296 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal from a divorce decree or final parent-child (SAPCR) order (not accelerated)

30 days after the judgment was entered

be as in civil cases generally under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, except that an appeal from a final

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1; Tex. Fam. Code §109.002(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal from order terminating parental rights or final CPS order (accelerated)

20 days after the judgment was entered

An appeal in a suit in which termination of the parent-child relationship is ordered shall be given precedence ... over other civil cases by the appellate courts, shall be accelerated, and shall follow the procedures

Tex. Fam. Code §109.002(a-1); Tex. Fam. Code §263.405(a); Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b), 28.1(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

No mandatory initial disclosures or financial disclosures in Family Code suits

Except in a suit governed by the Family Code, as exempted by Rule 194.2(c),

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.1(a); 194a · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Citation by publication: answer by 10 a.m. first Monday after 42 days from issuance

at or before 10 o'clock a.m. of the first Monday after the expiration of 42 days from the date of issuance thereof.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 114 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

General motion responses: no statewide deadline from service

not less than three days before the time specified for the court proceeding, unless otherwise provided by these rules or shortened by the court.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Summary judgment (motions filed on/after Mar. 1, 2026): reply, hearing window, ruling

A hearing or submission date must not be set within 35 days after the motion's filing.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(b)(3), (c), (e)(1), (g)(1), (i) (eff. Mar. 1, 2026) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Late notice of judgment can restart post-judgment periods (max 90 days after signing)

but in no event shall such periods begin more than ninety days after the original judgment or other appealable order was signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 306a(4) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

15-day grace period to extend notice of appeal

The appellate court may extend the time to file the notice of appeal if, within 15 days after the deadline

Tex. R. App. P. 26.3 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Trial court plenary power: 30 days after signing if no timely motion

or to vacate, modify, correct, or reform the judgment within thirty days after the judgment is signed.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 329b(d), (e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Another party's notice of appeal: the later of your own period or 14 days after theirs

or 14 days after the first filed notice of appeal, whichever is later.

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule