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Rule 785.May Join as Defendants, When

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 785 lets the plaintiff join, alongside the person in possession, any other person who as landlord, remainderman, reversioner, or otherwise claims title to the premises or any part of them adversely to the plaintiff.

Full Text of Rule 785

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The plaintiff may join as a defendant with the person in possession, any other person who, as landlord, remainderman, reversioner or otherwise, may claim title to the premises, or any part thereof, adversely to the plaintiff.
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Plain-English Summary

Rule 785 widens the suit when more than one person claims the land. With the person in possession, the plaintiff may join anyone else — a landlord, a remainderman, a reversioner, or any other claimant — whose asserted title runs against the plaintiff. That lets the court settle every competing claim to the property in one action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sue more than one claimant in a Texas trespass-to-try-title suit?

Yes. The plaintiff may join other adverse claimants — a landlord, remainderman, or reversioner — with the possessor (Rule 785).

Who counts as an adverse claimant under Rule 785?

Anyone whose claim to the land runs against the plaintiff. The rule names a landlord, a remainderman, and a reversioner as examples, but the list is not closed.

Is joining these extra parties mandatory?

No. Rule 785 gives the plaintiff the choice to join other claimants alongside the possessor; nothing requires it.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 785), 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: joining additional defendants trespass to try titleremainderman as defendantreversioner as defendantjoining landlord and possessorTRCP 785