TX · rules
Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.6
Counterclaim; Cross -Claim; Third Party Claim
(a) Counterclaim. A defendant may file a petition stating as a counterclaim any claim against
a plaintiff that is within the jurisdiction of the justice court, whether or not related to the
claims in the plaintiff’s petition. The defendant must file a counterclaim petition as
provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement of Inability to
Afford Payment of Court Costs. The court need not generate a citation for a counterclaim
and no answer to the counterclaim need be filed. The defendant must serve a copy of the
counterclaim as provided by Rule 501.4.
(b) Cross-Claim. A plaintiff seeking relief against another plaintiff, or a defendant seeking
relief against another defendant may file a cross-claim. The filing party must file a cross -
claim petition as provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement
of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. A citation must be issued and served as
provided by Rule 501.2 on any party that has not yet filed a petition or an answer, as
appropriate. If the party filed against has filed a petition or an answer, the filing party
must serve the cross-claim as provided by Rule 501.4.
(c) Third Party Claim. A defendant seeking to bring another party into a lawsuit who may
be liable for all or part of the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant may file a petition as
provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement of Inability to
Afford Payment of Court Costs. A citation must be issued and served as provided by
Rule 501.2.
Provenance
- Source
- txcourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-15
- Edition
- 2026-09-14
- Content hash
961379282d6d9801a9dfd6297d6fb0662199c0e2b64048011fe19f1e9381917d
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