Texas Civil Law Time Limits
A practical calendaring guide for Texas civil litigators. This page collects common Texas civil deadlines that affect day-to-day calendaring.
By Bryan C. Holman
Important Practice Note
Texas procedure is judge-driven. A docket control order can shorten or expand many dates. Always calendar the rule-based deadline and any scheduling-order deadline that is earlier. This page provides general information for calendaring — it is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest rule amendments, local rules, or standing orders.
Quick Navigation
Statutes of Limitations (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16)
Unlike some jurisdictions, Texas does not have a single fixed time for all civil cases. Chapter 16 sets specific limitations for particular causes of action.
Defamation (Libel / Slander)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.002
Personal Injury / Property Damage / Wrongful Death
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a)
Accrues on date of injury or death. Note tolling exceptions for minors and the discovery rule.
Medical / Health-Care Liability
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.251; Ch. 74
Possible 10-year statute of repose under certain conditions.
Breach of Written Contract
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004
Fraud
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004
Debt Collection / Suit on Account
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004
Trespass to Try Title (Real Property)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 16.024–16.028
Varies by type of adverse-possession claim.
Construction Defects (Statute of Repose)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.009
From substantial completion of the improvement.
Child Sexual Abuse
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045
Extended limitations period under current Texas law.
DTPA Claims
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.565
Accrues when consumer knew or should have known of the deceptive act.
Insurance Code Violations (Unfair Settlement Practices)
Tex. Ins. Code § 541.162
UCC / Sale of Goods
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 2.725
Parties may reduce by agreement to not less than one year.
Service of Process & Answers
Texas does not use a "60 days after filing" service rule. The key practical rule is diligence in service — lack of diligence can defeat limitations even if you filed on time.
Answer Deadline (District / County Courts at Law)
Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b)
Defendant must answer by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next after 20 days from service.
Return / Proof of Service
Tex. R. Civ. P. 107
Calendar immediately upon receipt. Defective returns can create default-judgment problems.
Substituted Service (if personal service unsuccessful)
Tex. R. Civ. P. 106
Available when personal service has been unsuccessful.
Initial Disclosures (Texas Rule 194)
Texas requires initial disclosures in most civil cases. This deadline drives discovery planning.
Initial Disclosures
Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.2(a)
Due within 30 days after the filing of the first answer or general appearance, unless a different time is set by the court.
Written Discovery Deadlines (Texas Rules 192–215)
Texas discovery timing is controlled by the discovery control plan (Level 1, 2, or 3) and rule-based response deadlines.
Responses to Interrogatories, RFPs, and RFAs
Tex. R. Civ. P. 193.2(a)
Calendar separate deadlines for each set received. Also calendar for privilege logs and production timing.
Objections to Written Discovery
Tex. R. Civ. P. 193.2(a), (e)
Objections must be made within the response time or are commonly treated as waived, subject to limited exceptions.
Motions to Compel / Discovery Sanctions
Tex. R. Civ. P. 215
Motion-and-conference driven. Governed by Rule 215 and the court's scheduling order.
Discovery Period Cutoffs (Level 2 Cases)
Most Texas cases are under Level 2 discovery. The discovery "end date" is one of the most important dates to calendar early.
Level 2 Discovery Period Ends
Tex. R. Civ. P. 190.3(b)(1)
Ends at the earlier of: (1) 30 days before trial, or (2) nine months after initial disclosures are due. Re-calendar every time the trial date moves — a new setting can change which prong controls.
Depositions & Subpoenas
Texas deposition practice turns on "reasonable notice," subpoena compliance deadlines, and quick objections when needed.
Deposition Notice
Tex. R. Civ. P. 199
No fixed minimum in the rules; local practice often dictates a practical standard. Calendar the notice date, production date, and compliance date.
Subpoena Compliance / Production
Tex. R. Civ. P. 176
Must allow reasonable time for compliance.
Objections / Motions to Quash Subpoenas
Tex. R. Civ. P. 176.6(d)
Must be made in writing before the time specified for compliance.
Motions for Summary Judgment (Texas Rule 166a)
Texas summary judgment timing is rigid and frequently enforced.
Motion Filing & Service Before Hearing
Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c)
A traditional motion must be filed and served at least 21 days before the hearing.
Response / Opposing Evidence
Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c)
Absent leave, the nonmovant must file and serve opposing affidavits or other written response materials no later than 7 days before the hearing.
Note: Texas rules have been updated in recent years. Confirm the current text of Rule 166a and your court's standing order if using a modern briefing schedule.
Claims Against Government Entities (Texas Tort Claims Act)
Government cases have early notice traps. Calendar governmental notice deadlines on day one of case intake.
Notice of Claim (General TTCA Rule)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101(a)
Must reasonably describe the damage, time and place, and incident. Due no later than 6 months after the incident.
City Charter Notice (May Be Shorter)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101(b)
City charter and ordinance provisions may impose shorter deadlines. Investigate the specific entity's notice rules immediately.
Best Practice: Treat governmental notice as an "immediate" deadline. Investigate the specific entity's notice rules the day the file comes in. Failure to timely present a claim can bar the cause of action entirely.
UM/UIM Claims
UM/UIM limitation and accrual can be fact-dependent. A common Texas framing is that UM/UIM suits often proceed under a contractual limitations analysis.
Calendar these dates: (1) the crash date, (2) any denial date, (3) policy notice deadlines, and (4) any suit-limitation clauses in the policy.
Debt Collection / Time-Barred Debts
Suit on Account or Debt
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004
Texas imposes a four-year statute of limitations on many debt collection actions.
Calendaring Best Practices
Statute of Limitations
Start from the date the cause of action accrues. Note any tolling exceptions (e.g., minor plaintiffs, discovery rule).
Service Deadlines
Texas requires diligence. Calendar service-related milestones to ensure service occurs within limitations.
Discovery Windows
Calendar response windows for each set received. Later trial settings shift the discovery cutoff — re-calendar accordingly.
Summary Judgment
Calendar both the motion deadline (21 days) and response deadline (7 days) based on the hearing date.
Government Claims
Journal all notice deadlines immediately on intake. These are often the shortest and most unforgiving deadlines.
Docket Control Orders
Always calendar the rule-based deadline AND any scheduling-order deadline that is earlier. The court's order controls when stricter.
Disclaimer
This page provides general information for calendaring and case management. It is not legal advice, and it may not reflect the latest rule amendments, local rules, standing orders, or your court's scheduling order. If you need advice for a specific case, you should consult counsel.
Need Help With a Texas Civil Case?
If you have questions about deadlines, limitations, or procedural requirements for your Texas civil matter, our attorneys can help.
Schedule a Consultation