I need to respond to a custody case (SAPCR).

If you have been officially served with a citation and petition (usually called an “Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” or something similar), there is a deadline to file your answer.  

• To determine the deadline, find the day you were served on a calendar, count out 20 more days (including weekends and holidays) then go to the next Monday. You must file your answer with the court on or before this date at 10:00 a.m. If the 20th day falls on a Monday, go to the next Monday. If the courts are closed on the day your answer is due, then your answer is due the next day the courts are open. You can also use TexasLawHelp's deadline calculator, but you should double-check using a calendar, following the instructions above. 
• If you are served and do not file an answer on or before the deadline, the petitioner can finish the custody case without any further notice to you. This is called a “default judgment.”
• You may be able to file your answer late. If the petitioner has not finished the custody case, you can file your answer after the deadline.
• To learn if the petitioner has finished the case, call the district clerk’s office (where the custody case was filed). Ask the clerk if the judge has signed a final order in the case. If the judge has not signed a final order, the case is still pending, and you can file your answer late. If the judge has signed a final order, the case is finished.
• If the petitioner has finished the case, talk to a lawyer right away. Depending on how much time has passed, you may be able to file a Motion to Set Aside the Default Judgment. For more information and forms, read: How to Set Aside (Cancel) a Default Judgment.

If you have NOT been officially served, there is no deadline to file your answer. You can file your answer (or waiver of service only form) at any time after the petitioner files an Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (the form that starts the custody process) with the court. If you file your answer (or waiver of service only form) now, the petitioner will not need to have you served.

Fill out this answer form. 

• Respondent’s Original Answer
• Or use the guided form option, which asks questions to create a form you can download and file.
• When filling out your answer form: Print neatly in blue or black ink. 
• Find the cause number and court number on the Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship filed by the petitioner. Write the same cause number and court number on your answer. You are the “respondent.” The other side is the “petitioner.” Do not leave blanks. If something doesn’t apply, write “not applicable” or “none.” Talk to a lawyer if you have questions or need help. 
• You must include a mailing address on your answer. The petitioner (and anyone else listed as a respondent in the Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship) will get a copy of this form. If you are concerned about the petitioner knowing your mailing address, call the Family Violence Legal Line at 800-374-4673 for free advice.

Talk with a lawyer BEFORE filing an answer if you (1) do not live in Texas and (2) do not want a Texas court to have the power to make orders that would impose a personal obligation on you. Such orders could include orders requiring you to pay child support, medical support, court costs, and lawyer’s fees. If you file an Answer (or any other pleading) before filing a Special Appearance, you will give up your right to argue that Texas can’t make such orders because you live out of state. Ask a Texas lawyer to help you determine if Texas has “personal jurisdiction” over you. 

Talk with a lawyer BEFORE filing an answer if your child does not live in the county where the case was filed or has not lived in Texas for at least the last six months (or since birth for an infant).   

Make enough copies of your completed answer form to have a copy for yourself, the petitioner, and each other respondent (if any).

File (turn in) your completed answer form with the court.

• To file online, go to E-File Texas and follow the instructions.
• To file in person, take your answer (and copies) to the district clerk’s office in the county where the petitioner filed the custody case.

At the clerk’s office:

• Turn in your answer form (and copies).
• Ask the clerk if there is a local standing order that you need to follow or attach to any of your documents.
• Ask the clerk if there are local rules or procedures you need to know about for your custody case.
• The clerk will “file stamp” your forms with the date and time. The clerk will keep the original and return your copies. One copy is for you and the other copy (or copies) are for the petitioner and other respondents (if any).

Note: It does not cost anything to file an answer. Filing an answer is FREE.

WARNING! Effective January 1, 2021, once a party to a family law case (like a custody modification case) files an answer, both sides usually will be obligated to exchange certain information and documents within 30 days. Talk to a lawyer about exceptions to this rule. The form is here: Required Initial Disclosures in SAPCRs and Modifications.

WARNING! Effective January 1, 2021, once a party to a family law case (like a custody case) files an answer, both sides usually will be obligated to exchange certain information and documents within 30 days. The form is here: Required Initial Disclosures in SAPCRs and Modifications. 

See Rule 11 Agreements for information (and forms) about one way to waive required disclosures by agreement. Talk to a lawyer. Otherwise, complete the Required Initial Disclosures form.

Send a file-stamped copy of your answer to the petitioner and each other respondent (if any). If the petitioner or any other respondent has a lawyer, send it to the lawyer instead of directly to the petitioner or other respondent. You can send it by:

• Hand delivery
• Email
• Mail
• Commercial delivery service (for example FedEx)
• Fax
• Electronic service through the electronic filing manager. (Note: This method is required if you electronically file (E-File) this document and the email address of the party or the party’s lawyer is on file with the electronic file manager.)

WARNING! If a judge has signed a Protective Order ordering you not to contact a party, do not violate that order. Talk with a lawyer about your options.

Filing an answer protects your right to have a say in the issues involved in your custody case. Once you file an answer, the petitioner cannot finish the custody case unless:

1. you agree to and sign an Order in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, or
2. the petitioner gives you notice of a contested hearing date.

Filing an answer does not mean your custody case is over.

To learn more, read the Frequently Asked Questions and Articles included in this TexasLawHelp.org toolkit: I need to respond to a custody case.