Case deadline calendar

Federal general rules only. These calculations reflect general Federal Rules of Civil Procedure defaults. State courts, local rules, and individual judge's standing orders can change these deadlines significantly. Always confirm against your specific court's rules. See our full disclaimer.

Deadline calculator

Deadline type

Trigger date (date of service, filing, or order)

Label for this deadline (optional, for your list)

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How are federal litigation deadlines actually calculated?

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a) governs time computation in federal court. The day of the triggering event itself is excluded from the count, and every day after counts, including weekends and holidays. If the final day of the period lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day. This calculator applies that standard method, but state courts often compute time differently, so always confirm the specific rule for your jurisdiction.

The most commonly missed deadline in federal civil litigation is the 21-day answer deadline under Rule 12(a)(1)(A), since it runs from the date of service, not the date the complaint was filed, and many defendants don't realize the difference. Once your deadlines are calculated, our statute of limitations checker helps confirm the underlying claim was timely filed in the first place, and our conflict of interest checker is worth running again if new parties are added as the case develops.

Do state courts use the same deadline calculation rules as federal court?

Not necessarily. Many states have adopted rules similar to FRCP 6(a), but the specific deadlines themselves, such as the time to answer a complaint, often differ significantly from the federal 21-day standard. Some states also compute time differently for short deadlines, counting only business days rather than calendar days below a certain threshold. Never assume a federal deadline number applies in state court without checking the specific state and local rules.

What happens if a motion is filed that changes the underlying deadline?

Certain motions, most notably a Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss, toll or pause the answer deadline while the motion is pending. If the motion is denied, a new 14-day window opens under Rule 12(a)(4)(A). This is one of the most common sources of deadline calculation errors, since the original deadline no longer applies once a qualifying motion has been filed.

Should deadlines be calendared with a buffer before the actual due date?

Many firms build in an internal deadline several days before the actual court deadline specifically to catch calculation errors, allow time for review, and avoid the risk of a last-minute technical filing problem. This buffer practice is one of the most effective ways firms reduce missed-deadline malpractice exposure.

Frequently asked questions about litigation deadlines

No, under FRCP 6(a)(1)(A), the day of the triggering event itself is excluded from the count. The count begins the following day. This is a common source of calculation errors when someone assumes the day of service counts as day 1 rather than day 0.

Consequences vary by deadline type. Missing an answer deadline can result in a default judgment being entered against the defendant. Missing other deadlines can result in evidence or arguments being excluded, or a motion for extension needing to show excusable neglect under FRCP 6(b). None of these outcomes are guaranteed to be forgiven, so treating every deadline as firm is the safest approach.

Often yes for many procedural deadlines, through a stipulation between counsel, though some deadlines require court approval regardless of party agreement, and jurisdictional deadlines like the time to file a notice of appeal generally cannot be extended by stipulation at all.

Both. Under FRCP 6(a)(1)(C), if the last day of a period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday as defined in the rule, the period continues to run until the next day that isn't one of those. This applies to federal holidays specifically as defined by rule, not just any day a courthouse happens to be closed.

The same general time computation rules apply, but the notice of appeal deadline itself, typically 30 days from entry of judgment under FRAP 4(a)(1)(A), or 60 days if the United States is a party, is treated as jurisdictional in federal court. Missing it generally cannot be excused even for good cause, which makes it one of the least forgiving deadlines in litigation.