Initial disclosures for a party served or joined after the first answer
30 days after date the party was served or otherwise joined, under Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.2(a).
Rule text
A party that is first served or otherwise joined after the filing of the first answer or general appearance must make the initial disclosures within 30 days after being served or joined, unless a different time is set by the parties’ agreement or court order.
Calculate this deadline
Deadline
Monday, December 7, 2026
- Trigger (Date the party was served or otherwise joined): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Sunday, December 6, 2026.
- That day is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, December 7, 2026 (Tex. R. Civ. P. 4).
Rules applied
Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.2(a)
A party that is first served or otherwise joined after the filing of the first answer or general appearance must make the initial disclosures within 30 days after being served or joined, unless a different time is set by the parties’ agreement or court order.Official source
Tex. R. Civ. P. 4
In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by order of court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall not be counted for any purpose in any time period of five days or less in these rules, except that Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall be counted for purpose of the three-day periods in Rules 21 and 21a, extending other periods by three days when service is made by mail.Official source
- Service here is typically service of citation, so the Rule 21a mail extension is not applied.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date the party was served or otherwise joined on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, April 14, 2027.
- Trigger (Date the party was served or otherwise joined): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Wednesday, April 14, 2027.
Notes
Service here is typically service of citation, so the Rule 21a mail extension is not applied.
Related deadlines
- Answer to petition (district and county court) (Monday after 20 days, 10:00 AM)
- Answer in justice court (justice court only) (14 days after)
- Answer in justice court when served by publication (justice court only) (42 days after)
- Responses to requests for production, interrogatories, and requests for admissions (30 days after)
- Initial disclosures (30 days after)
- Pretrial disclosures (trial witnesses and exhibits) (30 days before)
- Rule 91a motion to dismiss: filing deadline (60 days after)
- Rule 91a motion to dismiss: must be filed before hearing (21 days before)
Rules current as of 2026-10-23. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.