NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA.
Cause Number
(Complete the heading so that it looks exactly like the Petition)
In the (check one):
Plaintiff (Print Full Name)
District Court
Court Number County Court at Law
v. Justice Court (JP)
County,
Defendant (Print Full Name) Texas
Defendant’s Answer
WARNING: Talk to a lawyer before filling out this form. You may accidentally give up important legal rights if
you file this form with the Court without first talking to a lawyer. For example, if you file an answer, you may be
agreeing that the case can move forward in Texas. For help finding a lawyer, call your local lawyer referral
service. If you do not have enough money to hire a lawyer to take your whole case, you can hire a lawyer just
to give you advice and help you fill out this form. This is called Limited Scope Representation. You may also be
able to talk to a lawyer for free at a legal advice clinic. For help finding a free legal advice clinic go to
www.TexasLawHelp.org.
INSTRUCTIONS: If you decide to use this Defendant’s Answer form:
● Fill it out completely and sign it.
● File (turn in) your completed answer form at the Courthouse where the Petition was filed.
● It does not cost anything to file an answer.
● If you have been served, you have a limited time to file an answer. Counting from the day you were
served, you have 20 days plus the following Monday, at 10 a.m. to file an answer. If you do not file an
answer by the deadline, the Plaintiff can ask the court to enter a default judgment against you.
● Keep a copy of your answer for your records.
● Send a copy to the Plaintiff’s lawyer or to the Plaintiff if they are not represented by a lawyer.
● Filing an answer usually means you have 30 days to exchange Required Initial Disclosures. Read more
at www.TexasLawHelp.org.
1. Defendant’s Information
My name is ___________________________________ . I am the Defendant in this Case.
(PRINT your full name.)
The last three numbers of my driver’s license number are ___ ___ ___. My driver’s license was
issued in (State) ________________________.
Or I do not have a driver’s license number.
The last three numbers of my social security number are ___ ___ ___.
Or I do not have a social security number.
2. General Denial ....................................................................... Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 92
I enter a general denial.
I request notice of all hearings in this case.
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3. Specific Pleas Made Under Penalty of Perjury
Read Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 93 for a list of specific pleas that must be verified or made
under penalty of perjury. Ask a lawyer which specific pleas apply to your case.
I make the following specific pleas under penalty of perjury:
4. Affirmative Defenses
Read Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 94 for a list of affirmative defenses. Ask a lawyer which affirmative
defenses apply to your case.
Note: An affirmative defense is an independent reason that the Plaintiff should not win the lawsuit. If an
affirmative defense is successful, you could win the lawsuit, even if what the Plaintiff says is true. If you file
an answer and do not claim an affirmative defense, you may forever give up that defense.
I claim the affirmative defenses checked below:
accord and satisfaction estoppel license
arbitration and award failure of consideration release
assumption of risk fraud res judicata
contributory negligence illegality statute of frauds
discharge in bankruptcy injury to fellow servant statute of limitations
duress laches waiver
I already paid the debt sued for. I paid $ _____________ to __________________________
on ______________ by ___________________.
(date) (check, cash, etc.)
Write any other details regarding payment of the debt here:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
I also claim these additional affirmative defenses:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
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I reserve the right to file an Amended Defendant’s Answer with the Court to plead additional
verified pleas, affirmative defenses and claims, cross-claims, or third-party claims, as
applicable, after further investigation and discovery.
5. Request for Judgment
I ask that Plaintiff take nothing from this lawsuit. I ask for costs of court. I ask for such other and
further relief, at law or in equity, to which I may be justly entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
Defendant’s Signature Date
Defendant’s Printed Name Phone
Mailing Address City State Zip
Fax (if
Email: available)
I understand that I must let the Court, the Plaintiff’s lawyer (or the Plaintiff if the Plaintiff does not
have a lawyer), and any other party or lawyer in this case know in writing if my mailing address
or email address changes during this case. If I don’t, any notices about this case will be sent to
me at the mailing address or email address on this form.
“Perjury” means making a false
statement under oath, which is a
6. Unsworn Declaration Made Under Penalty of Perjury crime, so everything in this
I make this unsworn declaration under penalty of perjury in place of Answer must be true.
verification as allowed by Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code
Section 132.001.
My name is: ________________________________________________________________________.
First Middle Last
My date of birth is: ______/_______/________.
Month Day Year
My address is: ______________________________________________________________________.
Street Address City State Zip Code Country
I declare under penalty of perjury that: 1) I am the Defendant in this case, 2) I have read this
Defendant’s Answer, and 3) the statements in this Defendant’s Answer are within my personal
knowledge and are true and correct. I understand that it is a crime to lie on this form.
Formally signed under penalty of perjury in ______________________County, ______________,
County State
on this date: _______/______/_______.
Month Day Year
Defendant’s Signature
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7. Certificate of Service
I certify that a copy of this document was delivered to the Plaintiff’s lawyer or the Plaintiff (if the
Plaintiff does not have a lawyer) on the same day this document was filed with (turned in to) the
Court as follows: (Check one.)
through the electronic file manager if this document is being filed electronically
by certified mail, return receipt requested
by fax, to: _____________________________________________
by personal delivery
by email to this email address: _____________________________________________________
Defendant’s Signature Date
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