A Practice Note explaining how a defendant in a Texas district or county civil court case may assert affirmative claims against the plaintiff (counterclaims) or co-defendants (cross-claims). Specifically, this Note explains the differences between permissive and compulsory counterclaims, the types of cross-claims a defendant may assert against other defendants, and how to draft counterclaims and cross-claims. This Note also explains how to file and serve an answer containing counterclaims or cross-claims, and how a counterclaim or cross-claim defendant should respond to a counterclaim or cross-claim.