Keeping track of litigation timelines shouldn’t be complicated. The Discovery Deadline Calculator helps you quickly estimate key discovery and disclosure dates so your team stays organized, compliant, and ready for trial.

This free tool is designed for attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants who want to calculate discovery deadlines with accuracy and confidence.

What is a Discovery Deadline Calculator?

A Discovery Deadline Calculator is an online legal tool that helps attorneys, paralegals, and legal professionals calculate key dates related to the discovery phase of a lawsuit.

In civil litigation, discovery is the period when both sides exchange evidence, documents, and witness information before trial. Each court, federal or state has specific procedural rules that determine how long discovery lasts and when it must be completed.

The calculator takes inputs like:

• The trigger date (for example, when the complaint was filed or the scheduling order was entered)
• The jurisdiction (federal or a specific state)
• The event type (discovery opens, closes, expert disclosure due, etc.)
• The method of service (personal, mail, electronic, etc.)

It then estimates when discovery will open, close, or other related deadlines will occur, based on standard court timelines or procedural rules.

In short, a Discovery Deadline Calculator saves time, reduces human error, and helps legal teams stay compliant with court-imposed timelines. ensuring no critical litigation deadline is missed.

What Is a Discovery Deadline?

In civil litigation, discovery is the phase when both sides exchange information and evidence related to the case. The discovery deadline marks the last day this process can take place.

That means all depositions, interrogatories, and document requests must be completed before this cutoff. Missing it can have serious consequences; courts can exclude late evidence, deny motions, or impose sanctions.

Each jurisdiction has its own rules for how long discovery remains open. This calculator helps you estimate those deadlines based on your trigger event and court selection.

How to Use the Discovery Deadline Calculator

Using the tool is simple:

1. Enter the Trigger Date: Start with the key date for your calculation, for example, when the complaint was filed or when the scheduling order was entered.
2. Select Jurisdiction: Choose between Federal Court or your specific State Court. The calculator adjusts timelines based on your selection.
3. Pick Event Type: Select what you want to calculate: discovery opens, discovery closes, expert disclosure due, or motion to compel deadline.
4. Choose Service Method: Select how service was completed, personal, by mail, electronic, or overnight. The method can affect how time is calculated.
5. Click “Calculate Deadline”: You’ll instantly see your estimated discovery deadline.
   

Note: Always confirm actual deadlines based on your court’s procedural rules or scheduling order. This tool provides general estimates only.

Federal Discovery Deadlines

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26, discovery typically opens after the Rule 26(f) conference and must be completed within a schedule set by the court — often between 120 and 180 days after the scheduling order.

Typical federal discovery timeframes include:

• Initial disclosures: Within 14 days after the Rule 26(f) meeting
• Expert disclosures: 90 days before trial
• Rebuttal experts: 30 days after expert disclosures
• Discovery cutoff: Roughly 180 days after the complaint is filed

The calculator uses these benchmarks to provide a quick estimate of your discovery timeline.

State Court Discovery Deadlines

Every state has its own discovery rules and timing requirements. Here are a few examples:

State	Typical Discovery Period	Rule Reference
California	Discovery closes 30 days before trial	Cal. Civ. Proc. § 2024.020
Georgia	Discovery lasts six months after the first answer is filed	O.C.G.A. § 9-11-26
Texas	Discovery depends on case level (Level 1–3)	Tex. R. Civ. P. 190
Florida	Deadlines usually set by court scheduling order	Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.280

Select your state from the dropdown in the calculator to get an estimated deadline based on these general rules.

About This Tool

This Discovery Deadline Calculator was developed for legal professionals who manage multiple cases and need accurate, fast, and reliable deadline estimates. It’s updated regularly to align with standard procedural timelines across jurisdictions.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides general date estimates and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Always verify deadlines with the court’s specific rules and orders.