Begin with the court and proceeding
Identify the court’s full name and the type of proceeding. Do not assume a rule for one court or one kind of case applies to another. Use the court’s official website as the starting point for its rules and filing instructions.
Read the relevant rule set
The U.S. Courts rules page provides federal rule sets. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure page identifies the civil rules for U.S. district courts. Those are not a substitute for the rules governing a state proceeding.
Check local rules and orders as well
Review the court’s local rules, relevant judge-specific procedures, and orders entered in your case. Read the scope and any exceptions. Record the effective date and the official link so you can return to the same version.
Verify a deadline before calculating it
Identify the event that starts the period, the governing rule, and any applicable order. Read the provisions about counting time and service rather than guessing from a summary. This guide does not calculate a filing deadline. If you are unsure which rule applies, seek legal help promptly.
For other jurisdictions, the Law Library of Congress Guide to Law Online can help locate legal resources.