In one sentenceRule 700a requires the defendant to be served — in any manner provided for citation, or under Rule 21a — with a copy of the writ of sequestration, the application, the affidavits, and the court's orders as soon as practicable after the levy.
Full Text of Rule 700a
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The defendant shall be served in any manner provided for service of citation or as provided in Rule 21a, with a copy of the writ of sequestration, the application, accompanying affidavits, and orders of the court as soon as practicable following the levy of the writ. There shall also be prominently displayed on the face of the copy of the writ served on defendant, in ten-point type and in a manner calculated to advise a reasonably attentive person of its contents, the following: “To ________________, Defendant: You are hereby notified that certain properties alleged to be claimed by you have been sequestered. If you claim any rights in such property, you are advised: “YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO REGAIN POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY BY FILING A REPLEVY BOND. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SEEK TO REGAIN POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY BY FILING WITH THE COURT A MOTION TO DISSOLVE THIS WRIT.”
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 700a, a due-process safeguard added in 1978, ensures the defendant learns of the sequestration. The defendant must be served, in any manner provided for service of citation or as provided in Rule 21a, with a copy of the writ of sequestration, the application, the accompanying affidavits, and the court's orders, as soon as practicable following the levy of the writ — so the defendant can move to dissolve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a defendant get notice of a sequestration in Texas?
Yes. Rule 700a requires service of the writ, application, affidavits, and orders on the defendant as soon as practicable after the levy.
What documents get served on the defendant after a Texas sequestration levy?
A copy of the writ, the application, the supporting affidavits, and the court's orders, served as soon as practicable after the levy, per Rule 700a.
What warning must appear on the defendant's copy of a Texas sequestration writ?
A notice, in ten-point type, telling the defendant about the right to regain the property by filing a replevy bond or a motion to dissolve the writ, as Rule 700a requires.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 700a), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:service of sequestration writ on defendantsequestration notice to defendantdocuments served after sequestration levyTRCP 700a