Judge Paul L. LePak

Applies to

Orders and decrees

Within ninety days of rendition, announcement of a ruling, or announcement of settlement, counsel must reduce all judgments, decrees, and orders to writing, send them to opposing counsel for form approval, and deliver them to the court for signature.

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

As an alternative entry-of-order procedure, the submitting party must present the proposed disposition with a letter requesting signature, subject to a 10-day objection period.

Applies to

Application for ex parte order

Must include

certificate of conference

Counsel must include a certificate of conference in the pleading accompanying an ex parte order application.

Service

Mail

When substitution or consent is absent, the withdrawing attorney must give written notice to the client at least ten days before requesting withdrawal and send the notice by certified mail with return receipt requested.

If opposing counsel's approval as to form cannot be secured, counsel may file a motion for entry of the proposed disposition and secure a hearing with notice to opposing counsel.

A party submitting a proposed disposition for signature must serve the proposed document and requesting letter on every other party who has appeared and remains in the case.

Applies to

Statement of inability to afford court costs

At a final hearing, the court reviews a party's filed statement of inability to afford court costs.

Applies to

Statement of inability to afford court costs

The party claiming inability to afford court costs bears the burden of proof and must be prepared to present financial evidence at the final hearing.

Applies to

Fee and cost payment request

A court-appointed attorney's request for payment of fees and costs is due no later than 30 days after the conclusion of the last court appearance.

A judgment, order, or decree disposing of the case must be furnished within 90 days or the case may be placed on the dismissal docket.

A required proposed property division form must be filed at least ten days before trial when property or debt division issues are in dispute.

TDFPS must file a motion to modify the prior order by the third working day after removing the children from the court-ordered placement.