Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Texas

I am being sued, and if I don't respond within 20 days a default judgment will be filed. What does this mean? I don't have money for an attorney. I don't know what to say in my written response.


Asked on 5/21/10, 8:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

You must file your response within the Answer period. The answer period begins to

run at the time the you were served, and goes for 20 days, plus the following Monday

until 10 am. (When counting the answer period, count all calendar days, including weekends and holidays.)

If you file a response any time before the court announces judgment, even if the answer period has already passed, the court cannot sign a default judgment. They will have to set the case for a hearing, and notify you of any hearings.

Without seeing the petition, it is hard to answer with any specificity. You many be able to answer with a general denial but then again maybe not depending on the case.

I highly recommend speaking with an attorney on this.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 11:37 am


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