Free tool
Legal Deadline Calculator
Compute federal court filing deadlines under FRCP 6(a). Enter a triggering date and OpenCase excludes the trigger day, counts the period, and rolls past weekends and federal holidays.
21 days · FRCP 12(a)(1)(A)(i) — Runs from service of the summons and complaint.
Enter a date to compute the deadline.
How it works
FRCP 6(a), applied automatically
1
Exclude the trigger day
Counting starts the day after the triggering event — service, entry of judgment, and so on.
FRCP 6(a)(1)(A)
2
Count every calendar day
Intermediate weekends and holidays still count toward the period.
FRCP 6(a)(1)(B)
3
Roll the last day forward
If the final day is a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
FRCP 6(a)(1)(C)
Frequently asked questions
How does the calculator count days?
It applies FRCP 6(a)(1): the day of the triggering event is excluded, every calendar day is counted, and if the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline continues to the next business day.
Which holidays does it use?
The federal legal holidays in 5 U.S.C. § 6103 — New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — each on its observed date.
Does it handle state court deadlines?
No. It applies the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. State and local rules can compute time differently, so confirm any state deadline against that jurisdiction’s rules.
Does it add the three days for service by mail?
No. FRCP 6(d) adds three days when service is made by certain methods such as mail. This calculator computes the base FRCP 6(a) deadline only — add the extra days yourself when 6(d) applies.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is an educational tool. Deadlines can be changed by local rules, standing orders, or statute, so always verify against the governing rules and the assigned judge’s orders.
Disclaimer
This calculator is an educational tool that applies FRCP 6(a) time computation to federal civil deadlines. It is not legal advice. It does not account for local rules, standing orders, the three added days some service methods allow under FRCP 6(d), or state procedure. Always confirm the deadline against the governing rules and the assigned judge’s orders.
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