A Texas Answer – Eviction (Justice Court) is the written response a tenant files with the justice court to dispute a landlord’s eviction lawsuit, and it must be filed before the end of the day on the Monday after 14 days from the date the tenant was served with the citation under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 510.4. Filing this answer is the single most important step a tenant can take, because skipping it almost always leads to a default judgment, a writ of possession, and a lockout within days.
If you are reading this with a citation in your hand and a court date looming, take a breath. Filing any timely answer — even a one-sentence general denial — stops the default judgment clock and forces the landlord to prove the case in front of a justice of the peace, as explained in the Texas Justice Court Training Center bench book.
According to a January Advisors eviction study tracking Texas filings, more than 270,000 eviction cases are filed in Texas justice courts each year, and roughly 50% of those cases end in default judgment because the tenant never files an answer. That single statistic is why this guide exists.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out every line of the TJCTC Defendant’s Original Answer form without a lawyer
- ⏰ How to count the 14-day deadline correctly under TRCP 510.4 so the court does not reject your filing
- ⚖️ Which affirmative defenses (retaliation, repair, SCRA, PTRA) actually work in justice court under Property Code Chapter 92
- 💵 When to demand a jury, how the $22 fee works, and when to ask for a fee waiver via the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment
- 📬 How to file by every channel allowed — in person, mail, fax, email, and through eFileTexas.gov — and what proof to keep
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Texas Answer – Eviction (Justice Court) is a one-to-two-page court document in which a tenant (the defendant) responds to a landlord’s eviction petition (the Petition: Eviction Case) under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 502.5 and the eviction-specific rules in Part V of the TRCP. The Texas Justice Court Training Center publishes a fillable statewide template under the TJCTC eviction forms library that every justice court in Texas is required to accept, although many counties (Harris, Dallas, Travis, Bexar) also publish a near-identical local version on their own court websites.
Any person sued for eviction in a Texas justice court can file the answer. That includes residential tenants, commercial tenants, occupants named in the petition, subtenants, and even guests served as “all other occupants.” Property managers and attorneys can file on behalf of an entity-defendant, but a non-attorney cannot file on behalf of another adult human under the rules summarized in the State Bar of Texas unauthorized practice guidance.
The current TJCTC statewide form carries a revision date printed at the bottom; readers should confirm they are using the most recent revision posted on the TJCTC forms page before filing, because justice courts will reject obsolete versions. Filing the answer is not the same as filing a counterclaim, motion to quash service, or motion for continuance; those are separate documents that often travel with the answer but are governed by different rules in TRCP 510.7.
The form is filed only in the justice court precinct identified on the citation. Filing in the wrong precinct does not extend the deadline, and the Texas Office of Court Administration data dashboards show thousands of misfiled answers each year that result in default judgments because the document never reached the correct court.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form, because filling it out from memory is the fastest way to make a fatal mistake. The Texas Law Help eviction toolkit recommends collecting these items in a single folder so you can attach copies if needed.
- The citation and petition you were served. The cause number, court precinct, and landlord’s exact name as plaintiff all live on these papers, and copying them wrong is the most common rejection reason flagged by the Harris County Justice Courts clerk’s office.
- Your written lease (if any). You will need the address, lease term, and any clauses about notice, repairs, or rent application.
- The landlord’s Notice to Vacate. Under Property Code §24.005 the landlord must give notice before suing, and a defective notice is a defense.
- Proof of rent payments. Bank statements, money-order stubs, Zelle screenshots, or rent-portal receipts back up a “rent was paid” defense.
- Repair requests. Written requests for repairs trigger landlord duties under Property Code §92.056 and unlock the repair-and-deduct defense.
- Photos and videos of conditions. These support habitability defenses and counterclaims.
- Communication records. Texts, emails, and voicemails with the landlord show retaliation, waiver, or acceptance of late rent.
- Military status documents. Active-duty members get protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and a DD-214 or LES is needed.
- Proof of pandemic-era or housing-voucher status. Section 8 vouchers, HUD project-based contracts, and any CARES Act 30-day notice protections still apply to covered properties.
- Your contact information. Current mailing address, phone, and email are required on the answer and used for every future court notice.
If a single item is missing, do not delay filing. The deadline is absolute, and a bare-bones answer filed on time beats a perfect answer filed one day late.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official statewide template lives on the TJCTC eviction forms page as a fillable PDF. Tenants can also pull near-identical versions from their county’s justice court website, such as the Travis County JP forms library or the Dallas County JP eviction forms page. Legal-aid sites including Texas Law Help and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid host the same form alongside guided interviews that auto-fill the document.
Tenants who cannot print the form can pick up a paper copy at the clerk’s window of the justice court listed on the citation. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they will hand you the form, a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope on request. The Texas Access to Justice Commission also funds in-person help desks at many urban courthouses.
Tenants filing electronically must access the form through eFileTexas.gov, which routes filings to the correct precinct automatically. eFile is mandatory for attorneys but optional and free for self-represented tenants under Supreme Court Order 22-9015.
If the tenant has a disability that makes filling the form difficult, justice courts must provide reasonable accommodations under Texas Rule of Judicial Administration 12 and the ADA Title II regulations.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Texas Answer – Eviction Line by Line
The TJCTC form is organized into a caption block, a body of defenses, an optional jury demand, an optional counterclaim section, and a signature block. Each field below gets its own subsection. The exact field names below mirror the labels printed on the TJCTC Defendant’s Original Answer (Eviction) revision currently posted.
Cause Number
The cause number is the unique case ID the clerk assigned when the landlord filed the petition. It is printed on the upper-right corner of the citation and looks like EV-2026-001234 or JP3-26-E0001234.
Copy the cause number exactly as printed, including dashes and leading zeros. A single missing zero routes the answer to the wrong file, and the Tarrant County JP clerks’ filing guide confirms that mismatched cause numbers are rejected at intake.
For example, Maria Lopez writes EV-2026-008842 in the cause number box because that is the exact string on her citation from JP Precinct 5.
A common nuance: if you were served with two citations (eviction plus a small-claims case for back rent), each has its own cause number and needs its own answer. Filing one answer with both numbers crammed in is improper.
The most common mistake on this field is transposing two digits, which causes the answer to be filed under a stranger’s case and the tenant to be defaulted in their own. The misconception that “the clerk will figure it out” is wrong — clerks file by exact match.
Court (Justice Court Precinct and County)
This field identifies the justice court that issued the citation, such as Justice Court Precinct 1, Place 2, Travis County, Texas. The court name is printed in the citation header, and you must copy it word-for-word.
Write the precinct number, place number (if any), and county exactly as shown. Do not abbreviate “Justice” to “JP” if the citation spells it out, because the TJCTC clerk training manual flags abbreviations as a top rejection reason.
For example, Carlos Reyes writes Justice Court Precinct 4, Harris County, Texas on his answer because the citation he received from the Harris County JP4 court uses that exact phrasing.
A nuance: in Harris and Dallas counties, several precincts have multiple “places” (Place 1, Place 2). Filing in Precinct 1 Place 1 instead of Precinct 1 Place 2 sends the answer to a different judge and clerk.
The most common mistake is naming the wrong county when the rental property sits near a county line. The consequence is automatic dismissal of the answer and a default judgment in the real court. The misconception that “the property’s mailing city controls jurisdiction” is wrong — service address controls under TRCP 502.4.
Plaintiff (Landlord) Name
This is the exact legal name of the party suing you, copied from the petition’s style. It may be a person (John Smith), an LLC (Sunset Ridge Apartments LLC), or a trust.
Copy the plaintiff name exactly as it appears on the petition, including “LLC,” “Inc.,” “d/b/a,” or trustee designations. Capitalization and punctuation matter for the clerk’s docket-matching software.
For example, Janet Williams writes Oakwood Property Management LLC d/b/a Oakwood Trails because that is the full name on her petition.
A nuance: if the petition lists the property manager but the lease names the owner, do not “fix” the name on your answer. Use what the petition says and raise the misnomer issue as a defense in the body.
The most common mistake is shortening the plaintiff’s name (writing Oakwood Trails instead of the full LLC name), which can cause the clerk to file the answer in a different case where Oakwood Trails is the plaintiff under a different cause number. The misconception that “the landlord’s name does not really matter” is wrong — it controls who is bound by any judgment.
Defendant Name(s)
This is your legal name and the name of every other adult tenant served. Use your full legal name as it appears on your driver’s license, lease, or state ID.
List every defendant on a separate line. If the petition names “All Other Occupants,” and you are one of them, add your name and write (also named as ‘All Other Occupants’).
For example, Aisha Brown writes Aisha N. Brown and Marcus T. Brown because both spouses signed the lease and both were served.
A nuance: if a co-tenant has already moved out, list them anyway, because dropping a named defendant from the answer does not drop them from the case and they can still be defaulted.
The most common mistake on this field is using a nickname (Mike instead of Michael), which creates a name mismatch with the lease and lets the landlord argue the answer was filed by the wrong person. The misconception that “everyone in the household needs to file separate answers” is wrong — one answer can list and protect all named defendants who sign it.
Address of Rental Property
Enter the full street address of the property the landlord is trying to recover, including unit number, city, ZIP, and county. This must match the address on the petition.
Write the address in standard USPS format, all caps optional, no abbreviations the clerk’s system might miss. Always include the unit or apartment number.
For example, David Nguyen writes 4421 Mockingbird Ln, Apt 207, Dallas, TX 75214, Dallas County because that is the unit identified in the petition.
A nuance: if the petition lists the wrong unit, write the petition’s address in this box and raise the address error as a defense in the body of the answer. Do not “correct” the box silently.
The most common mistake is omitting the apartment number, which can be argued as a fatal admission that the wrong unit was named. The misconception that “the unit number is optional in single-family rentals” is fine, but in multi-unit buildings it is essential.
General Denial
This is the heart of the answer. The form contains a checkbox or pre-printed sentence that reads, in substance, “Defendant generally denies each and every allegation in Plaintiff’s petition and demands strict proof thereof,” authorized by TRCP 92.
Check the box or sign under this paragraph. A general denial alone is enough to defeat a default and force the landlord to prove every element of the case at trial.
For example, Maria Lopez simply checks the General Denial box on her TJCTC form, and that single mark forces her landlord to prove the lease, the breach, the notice to vacate, and the amount owed.
A nuance: a general denial is enough to survive default but is not enough to win at trial if you have an affirmative defense (retaliation, repair, waiver). Add affirmative defenses in the next field if they apply.
The most common mistake is writing a long story in this section instead of checking the box, then forgetting to actually check the box. The consequence is the court treating the answer as silent on liability. The misconception that “I have to admit or deny each paragraph one by one” is wrong — Texas is a notice-pleading state and a single general denial covers everything.
Affirmative Defenses
This section lists specific legal defenses you want to raise. The TJCTC form provides checkboxes and a write-in line for defenses such as defective notice to vacate, retaliation under Property Code §92.331, failure to repair under §92.056, waiver/acceptance of rent, SCRA, and PTRA/CARES violations.
Check every defense that applies and add a one-sentence factual basis for each. You do not need to write a brief — a few words (“landlord refused tendered rent on 4/1/26”) preserves the defense.
For example, Carlos Reyes checks Retaliation and writes “Eviction filed 12 days after I reported code violations to the City of Houston.”
A nuance: defenses you do not raise in the answer can be waived under TRCP 94, so check every box that even arguably applies. The judge will let you drop defenses later, but adding new ones at trial is harder.
The most common mistake is checking no defenses because the tenant thinks the general denial covers everything. The consequence is losing the right to argue retaliation or repair issues at trial. The misconception that “affirmative defenses require a lawyer” is wrong — checkboxes preserve them with no legalese needed.
Jury Demand
The form has a checkbox for “Defendant demands a jury trial,” authorized by TRCP 504.1. Justice court juries have six members.
Check the box and pay the $22 jury fee at the time of filing. If you cannot afford the fee, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment with the answer.
For example, Janet Williams checks the jury box and attaches the statement of inability because she is on SNAP and cannot pay the $22.
A nuance: the jury demand must be filed no later than 3 days before the trial date, but filing it with the answer is the safest course. Late demands are denied as a matter of course.
The most common mistake is checking the box but forgetting to pay the fee or file the inability statement, which causes the demand to be denied. The misconception that “a jury will sympathize with me automatically” is risky — juries can also rule for landlords, and tenants should weigh the choice carefully.
Counterclaim (Optional)
Justice court allows tenants to file counterclaims for damages arising from the same lease, up to the court’s $20,000 jurisdictional limit under Government Code §27.031. Common counterclaims include security-deposit return, repair-and-deduct, and §92.0563 damages.
Describe the counterclaim in one or two short sentences and state the dollar amount sought. Attach supporting documents if available.
For example, Aisha Brown writes “Landlord failed to repair a broken heater after written notice on 1/10/26; I seek $1,500 in §92.0563 damages plus return of $1,200 deposit.”
A nuance: filing a counterclaim does not stop the eviction trial. The judge can grant possession to the landlord and still award you money damages.
The most common mistake is asking for more than $20,000, which strips the justice court of jurisdiction over the counterclaim. The misconception that “I have to file a separate lawsuit for repairs” is wrong — the counterclaim travels with the answer.
Defendant’s Mailing Address, Phone, and Email
This is where the court will send every future notice, including the trial setting. Use a reliable address — not the rental unit if you fear lockout.
Print your current mailing address, a phone number you actually answer, and an email you check daily. The clerk uses email for fast notices in many counties.
For example, David Nguyen lists his sister’s address in Garland because he expects to be locked out of the rental before trial.
A nuance: under TRCP 21a, service by email is valid once you list one. If you do not check email, list only a mailing address.
The most common mistake is listing the rental unit as the contact address and then missing the trial notice after lockout. The misconception that “the court will call me” is wrong — courts mail or email; they rarely phone.
Signature and Date
Every defendant who wants to be protected by the answer must sign and date it. An unsigned answer is a nullity under TRCP 502.5.
Sign in ink (or apply an electronic signature in the eFile portal) and write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Print your name beneath the signature line.
For example, Maria Lopez signs her name and writes 05/12/2026 below the signature line on the day she files.
A nuance: typed names with /s/ are accepted in eFile but require the same person to be the eFile account holder. A spouse cannot sign for the other spouse without a power of attorney.
The most common mistake is one spouse signing for both, which leaves the unsigned spouse exposed to default. The misconception that “the clerk will notarize it” is wrong — the answer does not need a notary, only a signature.
Certificate of Service
Every document filed with the court must include a certificate stating that a copy was sent to the landlord or the landlord’s attorney, per TRCP 21a. The TJCTC form includes a pre-printed certificate at the bottom.
Write the date you served the landlord, the method (mail, email, fax, hand delivery), and the address you used. Sign under the certificate.
For example, Carlos Reyes writes “I emailed a copy of this Answer to landlord’s attorney at jdoe@law.com on 05/12/2026” and signs.
A nuance: if the landlord is self-represented, serve the landlord directly at the address on the petition. If an attorney signed the petition, you must serve the attorney, not the landlord.
The most common mistake is leaving the certificate blank, which lets the landlord move to strike the answer. The misconception that “the clerk will mail it for me” is wrong — service on the other side is the filer’s job.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario below follows one named tenant through the entire form, showing exactly what they enter. The examples use the TJCTC Defendant’s Original Answer template.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Landlord Refused Rent
Maria tendered April rent on time, but the landlord rejected it because of an alleged unauthorized pet. She was served on May 1, 2026.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Cause Number | EV-2026-008842 |
| Court | Justice Court Precinct 5, Bexar County, Texas |
| Plaintiff | Sunset Ridge Apartments LLC |
| Defendant | Maria E. Lopez |
| Rental Address | 2210 Broadway St, Apt 14, San Antonio, TX 78215 |
| General Denial | ✅ Checked |
| Affirmative Defenses | ✅ Waiver/Acceptance; ✅ Tendered Rent Refused — “Landlord rejected April rent paid via Zelle on 4/1/26.” |
| Jury Demand | ✅ Checked, $22 paid |
| Signature/Date | Maria E. Lopez — 05/12/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Mailed to landlord’s attorney at 100 Main St, San Antonio, TX 78205 on 05/12/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Reyes — Habitability and Repair Defense
Carlos reported a broken AC and roach infestation in writing on April 5, 2026. The landlord filed eviction on April 22.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Cause Number | JP4-26-E0011207 |
| Court | Justice Court Precinct 4, Harris County, Texas |
| Plaintiff | Bayou Bend Investments LLC |
| Defendant | Carlos M. Reyes |
| Rental Address | 7715 Westheimer Rd, Unit 305, Houston, TX 77063 |
| General Denial | ✅ Checked |
| Affirmative Defenses | ✅ Failure to Repair (§92.056); ✅ Retaliation (§92.331) — “Filed 17 days after my written repair request.” |
| Counterclaim | $1,500 under §92.0563 plus one month’s rent |
| Jury Demand | ⬜ Not checked |
| Signature/Date | Carlos M. Reyes — 05/06/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Brown — Section 8 Holdover with PTRA/CARES Issue
Aisha holds a Housing Choice Voucher and the landlord filed a holdover after the lease term. The landlord skipped the 30-day CARES notice that still applies to her covered property.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Cause Number | EV-2026-004410 |
| Court | Justice Court Precinct 1, Place 2, Travis County, Texas |
| Plaintiff | Oakwood Property Management LLC d/b/a Oakwood Trails |
| Defendant | Aisha N. Brown and Marcus T. Brown |
| Rental Address | 1801 East Riverside Dr, Apt 412, Austin, TX 78741 |
| General Denial | ✅ Checked |
| Affirmative Defenses | ✅ Defective Notice to Vacate; ✅ CARES Act 30-day notice missing; ✅ HUD HAP contract violation |
| Jury Demand | ✅ Checked + Statement of Inability filed |
| Signature/Date | Aisha N. Brown — 04/30/2026; Marcus T. Brown — 04/30/2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Hand-delivered to landlord’s attorney on 04/30/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Texas justice courts accept eviction answers through five channels. Pick the one that gets timestamped proof in your hand the fastest, because under TRCP 510.4 the deadline is the end of the day on the Monday after 14 days from service.
- In person. Take the original plus one copy to the clerk’s window of the precinct on the citation. There is no filing fee for the answer itself; the $22 jury fee applies only if you demand a jury. Pay by cash, money order, debit, or credit card. Ask the clerk to file-stamp your copy and keep it as proof.
- By mail. Mail to the clerk’s address printed on the citation. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt — under TRCP 21(f)(5) the postmark date counts as the filing date. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Keep the green card.
- By fax. Many JP courts still accept fax under their local rules; the fax number is on the county’s JP page or on the citation. Keep the fax confirmation sheet as proof.
- By email. Some courts (Travis, El Paso, Bexar) allow email filing of pro se eviction answers. Send to the clerk’s published email and request a return receipt. The email timestamp is the filing time.
- Through eFileTexas.gov. Free for self-represented filers via eFileTexas.gov. Upload the PDF, pick the correct court, pay $0 (or $22 with jury demand) by credit card, and download the eFile envelope number as proof.
Whichever channel you use, request a file-stamped copy and keep it forever. The Texas State Law Library eviction guide recommends saving both a paper and a digital copy.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk dockets the answer, the court sets a trial date not less than 10 days and not more than 21 days after the answer is filed, under TRCP 510.7. Notice is mailed or emailed to the address you listed.
Show up on time. If you miss trial, the court enters a post-answer default under TRCP 503.6, and the landlord still has to put on evidence but you lose your chance to defend. Bring your lease, photos, payment proof, and witnesses.
If you lose at trial, you have 5 days to appeal to county court by filing an appeal bond, cash deposit, or Statement of Inability to Afford Payment under TRCP 510.9. The county court trial is de novo, meaning a fresh start.
If you win, the landlord can still appeal within 5 days, and you remain in possession unless that appeal is filed and a bond is posted. The Texas Tenant Advisor page tracks current appeal-bond practice in each county.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Missing the deadline by one day. A late answer means an automatic default judgment and a writ of possession within 6 days.
- Filing in the wrong precinct. The wrong court does not transfer the answer; it sits in a stranger’s case until you are defaulted.
- Forgetting to sign. An unsigned answer is treated as if no answer was filed at all.
- Not checking the General Denial box. Without it, the court may treat your filing as silent on liability.
- Skipping the certificate of service. The landlord can move to strike, and some judges grant the motion.
- Listing the rental address as your contact. You will miss the trial notice after lockout.
- Demanding a jury without paying the $22 or filing the inability statement. The demand is denied and you waive the right.
- Using a nickname instead of your legal name. Creates a name-mismatch defense for the landlord.
- Writing more than the form asks. Long narratives in the denial section often hide the unchecked boxes that matter.
- Failing to raise affirmative defenses in writing. Defenses like retaliation and repair are waived if not pleaded.
- Asking for more than $20,000 in counterclaims. Strips justice court jurisdiction over the counterclaim.
- Ignoring the SCRA stay if you are active-duty. Federal law gives a 90-day stay that is lost if not raised.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do file something on time, even a one-line general denial — timing beats perfection.
- Do copy the cause number, plaintiff name, and address character-for-character from the petition.
- Do check every affirmative defense that even arguably applies.
- Do keep a file-stamped copy in two places (paper and cloud).
- Do list a mailing address you can rely on after a possible lockout.
- Do request a fee waiver via the Statement of Inability if money is tight.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign for a co-tenant; each adult must sign personally.
- Don’t argue the merits in the denial box — save the story for trial.
- Don’t rely on the clerk for legal advice; clerks are barred from giving it.
- Don’t ignore the certificate of service.
- Don’t file by regular mail at the deadline; postmark proof matters and certified is safer.
- Don’t skip trial just because you filed the answer — the answer only stops pre-trial default.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With Legal Aid or an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Free, fast, no waiting list | Lawyer spots affirmative defenses you would miss |
| Full control over what you say | Counterclaims are drafted with statutory citations |
| You learn the process for next time | Higher win rate — January Advisors data shows represented tenants prevail 2–3× more often |
| No risk of conflicts with co-tenants | Lawyer handles certificate of service correctly |
| TJCTC form is designed for self-filers | Free help from Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Lone Star Legal Aid for income-eligible tenants |
Cons of pro se: higher error rate, missed defenses, weaker cross-examination at trial, no help drafting counterclaims, and harder appeals.
Cons of using help: wait times for legal-aid intake, geographic coverage gaps, income limits, and (for paid attorneys) costs that can exceed the disputed rent.
FAQs
Do I have to file an answer if I plan to move out?
Yes. Filing a one-line general denial protects your credit and rental history because it forces dismissal-by-agreement instead of a default judgment that follows you under TRCP 510.7.
Is there a filing fee for the answer?
No. Texas justice courts charge no fee to file the answer itself; only a $22 jury demand triggers a fee, waivable via the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment.
Can I file the answer by email?
Yes. Many Texas JP courts accept email filings from pro se tenants; check your county’s clerk page and keep the timestamped reply as proof under TRCP 21a.
What if I miss the 14-day deadline?
No automatic relief exists, but you can file a Motion for New Trial within 10 days of judgment under TRCP 505.3 showing the default was not intentional.
Do I write my full legal name or my nickname in the Defendant box?
Yes — use the full legal name shown on your ID and lease, because nickname mismatches are the second-most-common rejection reason flagged by TJCTC clerk training.
Should I check every Affirmative Defense box just in case?
No. Check only the defenses with at least a colorable factual basis under TRCP 13, because frivolous claims can draw sanctions, but err generously when in doubt.
Do I write the cause number with or without dashes?
Yes — copy the exact format shown on the citation, including dashes and leading zeros, because clerks file by exact-string match in their docket software.
Can my spouse sign the answer for me?
No. Each adult defendant must sign personally; a spouse signing for both leaves the non-signing spouse exposed to default under TRCP 502.5.
Does filing an answer stop the lockout?
Yes, temporarily — it stops the pre-trial default and writ, but if the landlord wins at trial a writ of possession can issue 6 days later under Property Code §24.0061.
Can I add a counterclaim for my security deposit?
Yes. Counterclaims under $20,000 travel with the answer in justice court under Government Code §27.031, including security-deposit claims under §92.109.
What if I am active-duty military?
Yes, file the answer and raise the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act — you are entitled to at least a 90-day stay and protections against default judgment.
Do I need a lawyer to demand a jury?
No. A pro se tenant can demand a jury by checking the box and paying $22 (or filing an inability statement) under TRCP 504.1; no lawyer is required.
Will the clerk help me fill out the form?
No. Clerks can hand you the form and confirm the deadline, but they cannot give legal advice; for that, contact Texas Law Help or your local legal-aid office.
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