Texas court deadline
What is the deadline for an accelerated appeal in Texas?
In an accelerated appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within 20 days after the judgment or order is signed. A motion for new trial does not extend it.
- What the date means
- The last day to file a notice of appeal in an accelerated appeal.
- The clock starts
- Use the date the judge SIGNED the order (look near the signature line). Not the hearing date and not the date you received it.
- Applies to
- Appeals the law makes "accelerated" — for example appealable interlocutory orders and many orders terminating parental rights. Check whether your order is one of them.
- Rule
- Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b), 28.1; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1
How to count it
Do not count the starting day. Count 20 calendar days, including weekends and holidays. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not.
Worked example
Say the starting date was Monday, June 1, 2026. Here is each step:
- Start: Monday, June 1, 2026. That day itself is not counted.
- Count 20 calendar days: Sunday, June 21, 2026.
- Sunday, June 21, 2026 is a Sunday, so it moves to the next day.
Under Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b), 28.1, counting from Monday, June 1, 2026, the computed date is
Monday, June 22, 2026
This is an example only. Your own date depends on your starting date and your court.
Watch out for
- A motion for new trial does NOT extend this deadline.
Not reviewed by an attorney. ProSeFiler’s deadline rules were written from the official rule text, but no lawyer has reviewed them. Read the rule yourself and confirm every date with the court clerk.
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Common questions
What is the deadline for an accelerated appeal in Texas?
In an accelerated appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed within 20 days after the judgment or order is signed. A motion for new trial does not extend it. The last day to file a notice of appeal in an accelerated appeal.
Does a weekend or holiday change the date?
Yes. If the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not one (Tex. R. Civ. P. 4; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4 in justice court). Courts also close for local reasons, so call the clerk ahead of time.
Who does this rule apply to?
Appeals the law makes "accelerated" — for example appealable interlocutory orders and many orders terminating parental rights. Check whether your order is one of them.
Where does this rule come from?
Tex. R. App. P. 26.1(b), 28.1; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1. Read the official text yourself and confirm the date with the court clerk. ProSeFiler last checked this rule against the official text on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Related deadlines
- Motion for new trial What is the deadline for a motion for new trial in Texas?
- Motion for new trial overruled automatically ("by operation of law") When is a motion for new trial overruled by operation of law in Texas?
- Trial court loses power to change the judgment (no post-judgment motion filed) When does a Texas trial court lose plenary power?
- Latest the trial court keeps power (when a motion for new trial was filed) How long does a Texas court keep plenary power after a motion for new trial?
- Request for findings of fact and conclusions of law When is a request for findings of fact and conclusions of law due in Texas?
- Notice of appeal — ordinary appeal How long do I have to file a notice of appeal in Texas?
- Notice of appeal — after a timely motion for new trial (or similar) Does a motion for new trial extend the appeal deadline in Texas?
- Notice of restricted appeal How long do I have to file a restricted appeal in Texas?