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Litigation Architect

Top 100 questions pro se litigants ask

A searchable Q&A library for self-represented litigants—organized in ten progressive series from getting started through trial, Texas courts, and common mistakes. Each article includes official references, related guides, and next-step links inside the series.

For deeper topic pages, see legal help, legal guides, and pro se resources. For long-form commentary, return to Litigation Architect essays.

Litigation Architect pro se Q&A

How to use this library

  1. New to civil court? Start with Getting started.
  2. Were you sued? Jump to Responding to lawsuits.
  3. Follow “Next in series” links at the bottom of each article for progressive reading.
  4. Verify every deadline and rule on your official docket—articles cite sources but are not advice.

Series 1 of 10

Getting started

Orientation for self-represented litigants

Foundational questions about representing yourself, choosing the right court, gathering documents, and understanding costs before you file or respond.

View all 10 questions →

Continue to Series 2: Responding to lawsuits

Series 2 of 10

Responding to lawsuits

Answers, defenses, and first responsive steps

What to do when you are sued: response deadlines, answers to petitions, affirmative defenses, special appearances, and extensions of time in Texas civil practice.

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Continue to Series 3: Court deadlines

Series 3 of 10

Court deadlines

Clocks, calendars, and missed dates

How Texas civil deadlines are calculated, what happens when dates pass, scheduling orders, statutes of limitation, and practical tracking methods.

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Continue to Series 4: Filing and service

Series 4 of 10

Filing and service

Getting papers into the record and to parties

eFileTexas, service of process, certificates of service, filing fees, standing orders, and the mechanics of civil filing for pro se parties.

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Continue to Series 5: Evidence and exhibits

Series 5 of 10

Evidence and exhibits

Proof, authentication, and organization

What counts as evidence, exhibit lists, hearsay basics, text messages, business records, and how to present documents at hearings and trial.

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Continue to Series 6: Motions and hearings

Series 6 of 10

Motions and hearings

Asking the court to act before trial

Writing motions, responding to the other side, summary judgment, continuances, proposed orders, and preparing for motion hearings.

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Continue to Series 7: Discovery

Series 7 of 10

Discovery

Exchanging information before trial

Interrogatories, requests for production, admissions, depositions, discovery levels in Texas, response deadlines, and consequences of noncompliance.

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Continue to Series 8: Trial and judgment

Series 8 of 10

Trial and judgment

From the courtroom to collection and appeal

Trial preparation, default judgments, post-judgment motions, enforcement, and the basics of appealing a civil judgment.

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Continue to Series 9: Texas courts

Series 9 of 10

Texas courts

Court types, local rules, and TRCP

Justice court, county court at law, district court, jurisdictional limits, cause numbers, local rules, and where to find official Texas procedure resources.

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Continue to Series 10: Common mistakes

Series 10 of 10

Common mistakes

Errors that end cases before the merits

Typical pro se pitfalls: missed deadlines, waived defenses, improper ex parte contact, template misuse, and when professional help becomes necessary.

View all 10 questions →

All 100 questions (A–Z index)

This Litigation Architect Q&A series provides general legal information for self-represented litigants. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee outcomes. Verify all deadlines, rules, and local requirements on your official court docket and with qualified counsel when needed.