How long do parties have to respond to pleadings?

In Texas, there is a general rule that all parties have 21 days to respond to pleadings. This means that if someone is filing a lawsuit against a defendant, they must wait 21 days before proceeding with their case if the defendant has not responded. The 21-day rule does not apply to some types of pleadings, such as requests for admissions or requests for production. These types of pleadings require a response within 28 days. Another exception is motion for summary judgment and requests for dismissal. These types of pleadings require a response within 14 days. The 21-day rule also does not apply to people representing themselves in court. When people are representing themselves, they must respond to pleadings within 10 days. The length of time is measured from when the pleading is issued or mailed. If the pleading is served in person, the party has 21 days to respond if they are not representing themselves in court. If the pleading is served by mail or publication, the party must respond within 28 days. If a party fails to respond to a pleading, the court may enter a default judgment against them. This means the other party automatically wins the case, as the non-responding party failed to respond in a timely manner. This is why it is important to respond to all pleadings, no matter how long or short the response time.

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How long do parties have to respond to pleadings?

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