Bastrop County Court at Law
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
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Document Format Requirements5 rules
EXHIBITS must be marked prior to the trial day.
All orders must have a tab designating the Judge's signature space.
EXHIBITS must be marked prior to the trial day and shall not be marked during the trial by approaching a witness.
The inventory or a summary attached thereto shall list the property values and liabilities in a columnar form with each column totaled.
The inventory or a summary attached thereto shall list the property values and liabilities in a columnar form with each column totaled.
Document Filing Requirements41 rules
The Petitioner must attach a copy of the order to the original petition and each copy; if the Petitioner fails to do so, the Clerk must ensure the copies presented at filing include it.
Court's wording
7 .1 Th~ Petitioner shall. attach a copy' of this order to tM original petition .a11d to each copy of the petition. At the tin1e the ·petition is filed, if the Petjtiol].er has failed to attach u copy- of this ordeF to the petition a11d .any copy of the petition, the Clerk Shall ensure tbar a copy of this Order is attached to the petition_ attd every copy of the petitio11 presented.
A jury setting must be requested in writing, stating the approximate time required and providing the attorneys' names and addresses, cause number, and case style; the request is sent to the Court Coordinator.
Court's wording
JURY TRIAL - SETTINGS shall be obtained by written request, noting the APPROXIMATE TIME such case will require. Send request to: COURT COORDINATOR COUNTY COlmT AT LAW P.O. BOX 515 BASTROP, TEXAS 78602 (512) 581-7190 WHEN REQUESTING A JURY SETTING, PLEASE AFFIX NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL ATTORNEYS INVOLVED. PLEASE GIVE CAUSE NUMBER AND STYLE OF CASE.
A list of all exhibits must be represented to the Court Reporter on the day of trial.
- Document
- Trial exhibit submission
Must include
- •Exhibit list
PROPOSED JURY CHARGES are to be exchanged by Attorneys and presented to the Court on Pre-Trial day.
Trial Attorney must submit itemized statement outlining all time spent on case and all expenses. The Court will review the statement and authorize payment accordingly based on the rate of $60 per hour.
All other contested hearings Attorney must submit itemized statement outlining all time spent on case and all expenses. The Court will review the statement and authorize payment accordingly based on the rate of $60 per hour.
If the order is not executed by all counsel and/or parties, proof must be attached that a letter and copy of the order has been sent to the opposing counsel and/or party indicating the number of days the opposing counsel and/or party have to file objections.
All orders must be executed by all counsel and/or parties before submitting to the Judge for approval.
If opposing counsel and/or party file objections, a proposed order must accompany such objections.
- Document
- Objections
Must include
- •Proposed order
At least thirty (30) days prior to any contested hearing, the Husband and Wife each shall file with the Court, or upon written mutual agreement, exchange between themselves sworn inventories.
Each inventory must state property values, liabilities and related details, identify separate property and liabilities, and identify employment benefits for inclusion as an exhibit.
Court's wording
Each inventory shaUlist the value of each item of property and shall list each liability, the number of periodic payments in arrears, ifany, the property securing its payments, and the name of the creditor. Any property or liability claimed to be separate shall be so characterized. AU benefits arising from a party's employment (such as pensions, profit sharing plans, savings for thrift plans, whether vested or not) shall be identified, and the last incorporated into the inventory as an exhibit thereto.
When a suit is tried, three (3) copies ofall inventories and supplemental inventories shall be made available for use in trial.
Inventories must show the net worth of the community and any claimed separate estate and be supplemented through the day of trial.
Court's wording
Each inventory shall show the net worth ofthe community estate and the net worth on any claimed separate estate. All inventories shall be supplemented from the date of the original inventory through the day ofthe trial.
Prior to trial, a written statement (form available from Clerk) shall be filed certifying that a good faith effort to so confer has been made and containing any agreed stipulations.
- Document
- Written statement
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Certificates ofattendance for both the Petitioner and Respondent shall be filed with the District Clerk prior to the final hearing.
All parties in any case retained on the docket must submit to formal mediation andprovide such proofto the Courtbefore a final hearing date may be obtained.
A written Motion to Retain shall be filed by any party desiring to maintain the case on the docket setting forth good cause, together with a proposed Pre-trial Order complying with Rule 165a (1) ofthe Texas Rules ofCivil Procedure.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall before using any AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding sign and submit the attached form certifying that: 1. All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis created by or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were before submission verified as accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources by an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, and 2. That the person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible and potentially sanctioned for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply with this Order.
- Document
- Court submission
Must include
- •AI disclosure
The certification must state that a human verified all generative-AI-created or contributed information against traditional, non-AI legal sources before submission.
Court's wording
2. All information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence, including language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis, was verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources by a human being, before submission to this Court.
1. I have reviewed and understand the District Court's Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, and I will comply with the Standing Order throughout this case.
A Motion to Retain MUST specifically allege good cause as to why the cause should not be dismissed for want of prosecution.
A list of all exhibits must be presented to the Court Reporter on the day of the trial.
PROPOSED JURY CHARGES are to be exchanged by Attorneys and presented to the Court no later than the day j ury trial begins, unless the Court specifically rules otherwise..
For juvenile-case trials, the attorney must submit an itemized statement of all time spent and expenses; the Court reviews it and authorizes payment at $125 per hour.
Court's wording
Trial Attorney must submit itemized statement outlining all time spent on case and all expenses. The Court will review the statement and authorize payment accordingly based on the rate of $125 per hour.
For criminal-case trials, the attorney must submit an itemized statement of all time spent and expenses; the Court reviews it and authorizes payment at $125 per hour.
Court's wording
Trial Attorney must submit itemized statement outlining all time spent on case and all expenses. The Court will review the statement and authorize payment accordingly based on the rate of $125 per hour.
They must then submit their completed application, along with a resume.
If opposing counsel and/or party file objections, a proposed order must accompany such objections.
- Document
- Objections
Must include
- •Proposed order
If the order is not executed by all counsel and/or parties, proof must be attached that a letter and copy of the order has been sent to the opposing counsel and/or party indicating the number of days the opposing counsel and/or party have to file obj ections.
All orders must be executed by all counsel and/or parties before submitting to the Judge for approval.
For other contested child protective services hearings, the attorney must submit an itemized statement of all time spent and expenses; the Court reviews it and authorizes payment at $125 per hour.
Court's wording
All other contested hearings Attorney must submit itemized statement outlining all time spent on case and all expenses. TI1e Court will review the statement and authorize payment accordingly based on the rate of$125 per hour.
Each inventory must list property values, liabilities and related payment and creditor details, identify claimed separate property or liabilities, and identify employment benefits.
Court's wording
Each inventory shall list the value of each item of property and shall list each liability, the number of periodic payments in arrears, if any, the property securing its payments, and the name of the creditor. Any property or liability claimed to be separate shall be so characterized. All benefits arising from a party's employment (such as pensions, profit sharing plans, savings for thrift plans, whether vested or not) shall be identified, and the last incorporated into the inventory as an exhibit thereto.
At least thirty (30) days prior to any contested hearing, the Husband and Wife each shall file with the Court, or upon written mutual agreement, exchange between themselves sworn inventories.
Each inventory shall show the net worth of the community estate and the net worth on any claimed separate estate.
When a suit is tried, three (3) copies of all inventories and supplemental inventories shall be made available for use in trial.
All inventories shall be supplemented from the date of the original inventory through the day of the trial.
Certificates of attendance for both the Petitioner and Respondent shall be filed with the District Clerk prior to the final hearing.
All parties in any case retained on the docket must submit to formal mediation and provide such proof to the Court before a final hearing date may be obtained.
A written Motion to Reinstate shall be filed by any party desiring to maintain the case on the docket setting forth good cause, together with a proposed Pre-trial Order complying with Rule 165a (3) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
When a case is resolved the payment voucher should be filled out and given to the Court Coordinator at that time in the Courtroom.
The certification must acknowledge that the signer may be held responsible and sanctioned, including for contempt, for failing to comply with the standing order or certification.
Court's wording
3. I understand that I will be held responsible and subject to possible sanction under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 10, and the inherent power of the Court, or for contempt of court, for failing to comply with the District Court's Standing Order or this certification.
When a case is resolved, the payment voucher should be filled out and may either be given to the Court Coordinator/Administrator at that time in the Courtroom or emailed to the Court Coordinator/Administrator later. The payment voucher can be found on the County Court at Law webpage.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filings must comply with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21 and other applicable electronic-filing rules or standards.
Electronic filings must comply with Tex. R. Civ. P. 21 and any other applicable electronic filing rules or standards.
Page 4 | RULE 3: FILING OF DOCUMENTS AND PROPOSED ORDERS
Attorneys must file using the electronic filing system.
Attorneys must use the electronic filing system.
Page 4 | RULE 3: FILING OF DOCUMENTS AND PROPOSED ORDERS
Pro se litigants may use the electronic filing system or file documents directly with the clerk's office.
Pro se litigants may use the electronic filing system or file documents directly with the clerk's office.
Page 4 | RULE 3: FILING OF DOCUMENTS AND PROPOSED ORDERS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Sworn inventories must be filed or exchanged at least 30 days before a contested hearing.
At least thirty (30) days prior to any contested hearing, the Husband and Wife each shall file with the Court, or upon written mutual agreement, exchange between themselves sworn inventories.
Page 5 | RULE 6: SPECIAL REOUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES.
The written conference statement must be filed before trial.
Prior to trial, a written statement (form available from Clerk) shall be filed certifying that a good faith effort to so confer has been made and containing any agreed stipulations.
Page 5 | RULE 6: SPECIAL REOUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES.
Attendance certificates must be filed before the final hearing.
Certificates ofattendance for both the Petitioner and Respondent shall be filed with the District Clerk prior to the final hearing.
Page 6 | RULE 7. FOR KID'S SAKE PROGRAM
At least thirty (30) days prior to any contested hearing, the Husband and Wife each shall file with the Court, or upon written mutual agreement, exchange between themselves sworn inventories.
At least thirty (30) days prior to any contested hearing, the Husband and Wife each shall file with the Court, or upon written mutual agreement, exchange between themselves sworn inventories.
Page 5 | RULE 6: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES
Certificates showing both parties' attendance must be filed before the final hearing.
Certificates of attendance for both the Petitioner and Respondent shall be filed with the District Clerk prior to the final hearing.
Page 6 | RULE 7: PARENTING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
Formal mediation and proof to the Court are required before a final hearing date may be obtained.
All parties in any case retained on the docket must submit to formal mediation and provide such proof to the Court before a final hearing date may be obtained.
Page 6 | RULE S: DISMISSAL DOCKET {CIVIL CASES)
The County Clerk's office must post each Small Estate Affidavit for 10 days before the Judge considers it.
All Small Estate Affidavits must be posted by the County Clerk's office for 10 days before being considered by the Judge.
Page 7 | RULE 9: SPECIAL REOIDREMENTS FOR PROBATE CASES
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Notice of intent to dismiss must be given under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 165a to attorneys of record and pro se parties whose addresses appear in the docket or case papers.
Notice of intention to dismiss shall be given in accordance with Rule 165a ofthe Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to all attorneys of record and parties pro se whose addresses are shown on the docket or in the papers on file.
Page 6 | RULE 8. DISMISSAL DOCKET
Counsel or a pro se litigant must notify all parties when the Court gives a hearing date.
When the Court gives a hearing date, counsel or pro se litigant must give notice to all parties of the setting.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Before trial, parties must provide opposing counsel with documents they might offer as evidence and request stipulations to admissibility, reserving only legitimate objections for trial.
Prior to the trial, ALL PARTIES ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE TO OPPOSING COUNSEL DOCUMENTS WHICH MIGHT BE OFFERED AS EVIDENCE AT TRIAL WITH A REQUEST THAT ALL PARTIES STIPULATE TO THE ADMISSIBILITY, RESERVING ONLY LEGITIMATE OBJECTIONS FOR TRIAL.
Page 5 | RULE 6: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES
Filing Fees and Waivers
If a case is settled or continued within ten days of trial settings, the parties may be required to pay the cost of summoning an unused jury panel.
PURSUANT TO RULE 141, TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, IF A CASE IS SETTLED OR CONTINUED WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF TRIAL SETTINGS, THE PARTIES MAYBE REQUIRED TO PAY THE COST OF SUMMONING AN UNUSED JURY PANEL.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Medical and mental health records filed as pleadings or exhibits are sealed from the public, but parties and their attorneys in the specific case may access them; any conflicting prior order controls.
All medical and/or mental health records filed as part of the pleadings and/or as exhibits in any cause, in either the Bastrop County Clerk's Office and/or the Bastrop County District Clerk's Office, are hereby SEALED from the public. This Order does not apply to the parties/litigants and/or their attorneys on a specific cause. The parties/litigants and their attorneys on a specific cause may have access to the medical and/or mental health records in that specific cause if they are the parties/litigants and/or attorneys to that specific cause. If any part of this Order is different from any part of a previous Order that has already been entered regarding Medical and/or Mental Health records, the previous Order's provisions prevail.
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Medical and Mental Health Records
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Attorneys may not agree to continue a set case without Court approval; absent a showing of good cause, the case will automatically be placed last on the jury request list.
No agreed continuance by attorneys after a case is set is permitted without approval of the Court. EXCEPT for a showing of good cause for a continuance, the case will automatically be placed LAST on the jury request list.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Attorneys may not agree to continue a case after it is set without Court approval.
CONTINUANCE - No agreed continuance by attorneys after a case is set is permitted without approval of the Court.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Attorneys must attend all settings they know about and must immediately address a scheduling conflict by rescheduling with Court approval, attending, or arranging for associated counsel to attend.
Attorneys are required to attend court for all settings of which he or she has notice. It is the responsibility of each attorney who has a scheduling conflict, immediately upon discovering the conflict, to resolve the conflict by re-scheduling with Court approval, by attending the setting, or by associating counsel who will attend the setting.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not call or write the Judge to request a setting unless there is an actual emergency or the requested setting exceeds two hours.
Please DO NOT CALL or WRITE the Judge requesting a setting unless it is an actual emergency or it requires more than two (2) hours.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
A setting longer than two hours requires the Judge's prior permission, and the Court may require formal mediation before granting it.
No setting for longer than two (2) hours in any case may be obtained without prior permission of the Judge. The Court may require the parties to submit to formal mediation prior to granting a setting of more than two (2) hours.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Non-jury civil cases must be set by contacting the District Clerk's office by phone or letter.
All NON-JURY civil cases shall be set by communicating with the District Clerk's office either by phone or letter.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Settings will not be made in the courtroom or by speaking with the Judge.
No settings will be made in the Courtroom or by speaking with the Judge.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Send orders needing execution directly to the Judge, not to the District Clerk.
RULE 3: ORDERS NEEDING TO BE EXECUTED SHALL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE JUDGE. DO NOT SEND TO THE DISTRICT CLERK. SENDING TO THE DISTRICT CLERK CAUSES DELAY AND CONFUSION.
Page 4 | RULE 3: ORDERS NEEDING TO BE EXECUTED SHALL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE JUDGE
Do not call or write the Judge directly to request a setting.
DO NOT CALL or WRITE the Judge directly requesting a setting.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Settings will not be made by speaking with the Judge.
No settings will be made by speaking with the Judge.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Civil hearing settings must be arranged with the Court Coordinator/Administrator by phone or email; email with all parties copied is preferred.
All civil cases shall be set by communicating with the Court Coordinator/Administrator either by phone or email, preferably email with all parties copied.
Page 1 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Civil jury trial settings must be requested by phone or email, with the approximate time required noted.
CIVIL JURY TRIAL - SETTINGS shall be obtained by phone or email request, noting the APPROXIMATE TIME such case will require.
Page 2 | RULE 1: SCHEDULING OF CASES
Attorneys seeking to join an appointment list may contact the Court Coordinator/Administrator to request an application.
Attorneys who wish to be added to any appointment list may reach out to the Court Coordinator/ Administrator and request an application.
Page 3 | RULE 2: COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS
Uncontested Probate Matters may be placed on a submission docket with the Court and set with the Probate Court Coordinator or Administrator.
Uncontested Probate Matters may be set on a submission docket with the Court and set with the Probate Court Coordinator/Administrator.
Page 7 | RULE 9: SPECIAL REOIDREMENTS FOR PROBATE CASES