Bexar County Courts at Law Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contested pretrial motions to quash the complaint and other contested pretrial motions must be presented to the arraigning Presiding Judge for a ruling.

All contested pre-trial motions to quash the complaint and other contested pre-trial motions shall be presented to the arraigning Presiding Judge for ruling.

CRITICALCivil cases

If documents are submitted after the hearing date, notify the staff attorney after the clerk accepts the e-filed documents.

If you submit documents after hearing date you must notify the staff attorney once the e-filed documents are accepted by the clerk.

CRITICAL

If mediation results in settlement, counsel must notify the Court under Section 4.3(a).

If mediation results in a settlement, counsel must notify the Court pursuant to Section 4.3(a) of these rules.

CRITICAL

The party or attorney representing a person who needs an interpreter must notify the Court Coordinator as soon as the need is identified and no later than five business days before the hearing.

It is the responsibility of the party or attorney representing a person who does not understand or speak the English language to notify the Court Coordinator as soon as the need for an interpreter is identified, but no later than five (5) business days before a scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

Attorneys who have a court-setting conflict and will be late for docket call must notify the assigned court’s Clerk and opposing counsel as soon as the conflict becomes apparent, providing the conflict’s nature, where counsel can be reached, the desired announcement, and expected appearance time.

H. All attorneys having conflicts with other Court settings and who will be late for docket call shall notify the Clerk of the particular assigned court and opposing counsel of such conflict as soon as it becomes apparent, and shall state: 1. The nature of the conflict; 2. Where counsel may be reached; 3. What announcement counsel wishes to make; and 4. Time that Presiding Judge should expect counsel to personally appear.

CRITICAL

The Court Coordinator must be notified immediately when a matter settles or a party intends to non-suit so the hearing slot can be released.

a) Notice to Court: If a matter is settled or if a party intends to non-suit, the Court Coordinator must be notified immediately so the time slot can be released to other litigants.

CRITICAL

If a hearing is required, the Court must be notified so the matter can be set on its docket.

If a hearing is required, it shall be brought to the attention of the Court so that the cause may be set upon the Court's docket.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email

Email Francesca Cammack, the court investigator, with confirmation of the hearing.

Please email the court investigator, Francesca Cammack of your hearing confirmation. Her email is Francesca.Cammack@bexar.org.

CRITICAL

Attorneys excused to confer with the State's attorney must report the conference results to the Court before departing or before the noon recess, whichever comes first.

B. Attorneys who announce and are excused to confer with the State's attorney shall report the results of such conference back to the Court before departing or the noon recess, whichever comes first.

CRITICAL

The Civil Assignment Clerk must be notified of non-suits, dismissals, settlements, or agreed judgments on the same day the action is taken; notice may be oral or written, formal or informal.

Non-suits, dismissals, settlements or agreed judgments shall be called to the attention of the Civil Assignment Clerk. This notice may be oral or written, formal or informal. Such Notice shall be given the same day such action is taken.

WARNING

Applicants should confirm with the individual court whether a MERP certification must be attached.

Confirm with the individual court whether a MERP certification must be attached to the application.

WARNINGCivil cases

Ask your attorney, not the Court, about estate matters you do not understand.

Consult with your Attorney (not the Court) on any matter regarding this estate that you do not understand.

WARNING

Counsel should not attempt to communicate ex parte with the Judge through court staff.

Under no circumstances should counsel attempt to engage in ex parte communication with the Judge through court staff.

WARNING

Court settings may not be accepted by phone.

No setting shall be accepted by phone.

WARNING

An attorney delayed in another court must immediately notify the Bailiff or Coordinator.

If an attorney is delayed in another court, Counsel must notify the Bailiff or Coordinator immediately.

WARNINGCivil cases

Notify the Court and your attorney whenever your mailing address changes.

Notify the Court (and your Attorney) of any change in your mailing address.

WARNING

When addressing the Court attorneys shall at all times promptly rise and remain standing at their positions at the counsel table, and shall not approach the bench except with permission or on request of the Court.

When addressing the Court attorneys shall at all times promptly rise and remain standing at their positions at the counsel table, and shall not approach the bench except with permission or on request of the Court.

WARNING

Contact the Court if an heir died after the decedent.

If any heir died after the decedent, contact the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Do not suggest that a personal representative call the Court for a consultation or explanation about the estate; the Court considers discussions with personal representatives appropriate only in counsel’s presence.

Bearing in mind that the Court requires all personal representatives to have counsel, the Court does not believe it appropriate for the Court to have discussions with personal representatives outside the presence of their counsel. Please do not suggest to a client that it is appropriate to call the Court for a consultation or an explanation of what is going on in the estate being administered by that client.

WARNINGCivil cases

If documents are submitted after the hearing date, notify the staff attorney once the clerk accepts the e-filed documents.

If you submit documents after hearing date you must notify the staff attorney once the e-filed documents are accepted by the clerk.

WARNING

An attorney or self-represented party must notify the Court Coordinator as soon as an accommodation need is identified; notice at least five business days before the hearing is preferred.

To ensure the availability of a qualified intermediary or interpreter, the attorney or self-represented party must notify the Court Coordinator as soon as the need is identified, preferably at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

If documents are submitted after the hearing date, notify the staff attorney once the clerk accepts the e-filed documents.

If you submit documents after hearing date you must notify the staff attorney once the e-filed documents are accepted by the clerk.

WARNING

Attorneys may not address the Court confidentially unless the Court invites them to do so.

Addressing the Court in a confidential manner will not be permitted unless invited by the Court.

WARNING

If an heir died after the decedent, contact the Court.

If any heir died after the decedent, contact the Court.

WARNING

The Court may require a hearing in some circumstances and will contact the applicant if one is needed; do not set a hearing unless the Court asks.

The Court usually does not require a hearing on SEA applications, but in some circumstances the Court may require a hearing before an SEA will be approved. If a hearing is needed, the Court will contact you to set a hearing. Do not set a hearing unless the Court has asked you to do so.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

210 335-0490

Contact the court’s staff attorney by phone with questions about whether Muniment of Title probate is available for your situation.

As to this option, please contact the court's staff attorney at 210 335-0490 or at his email address at mcollins@bexar.org with questions as to its availability for your particular situation.

INFO

Check with the individual Court to learn whether other matters may be heard by submission.

Check with the individual Court for other matters that may be heard by submission.

INFO

For procedures to set uncontested matters, review the applicable court’s web page.

Primary Contact: Review each court's web page for its procedures for setting uncontested matters.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210) 335-2241

Letters of administration may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office by calling (210) 335-2241.

These letters may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office, (210) 335-2241.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone

The Court discourages attorneys from calling for an order’s status before a statutory time requirement has run.

It is a waste of both the attorney’s and the Court’s resources to have an attorney call the Court for the status of orders for which a statutorily mandated time requirement has not run.

INFO

If a matter is scheduled in conflict with a previously filed vacation letter, the affected person should bring the conflict to the Court’s attention.

If a matter is set in conflict with a previously filed vacation letter, the affected person should bring the issue to the Court's attention.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210) 335-2241

Letters testamentary may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office by calling (210) 335-2241.

These letters may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office, (210) 335-2241.

INFOCivil cases

Again, the Court and its staff have no problem discussing these matters with an attorney.

Again, the Court and its staff have no problem discussing these matters with an attorney.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210)335-2241

For questions about citations, contact the Bexar County Probate Clerk’s Office by phone at (210)335-2241.

Questions about citations, please contact the Bexar County Probate Clerk’s Office at (210)335-2241 for further assistance.

INFOCivil cases

Attorneys are encouraged to communicate concerns directly to the Clerk’s office to help prevent recurring problems.

The Court urges attorneys to communicate concerns directly to the Clerk’s office so that systemic improvements can be made to prevent the recurrence of any such problems.

INFOCivil cases

Contact the County Clerk with questions about the OCA Affidavit or citation-by-publication case information.

OCA Affidavit filed – check your case at: https://www.txcourts.gov/judicial-data/citation-by-publication/ - contact the County Clerk for questions

INFO

Assistive listening devices are available upon request for in-person proceedings, and parties are encouraged to test them with the Court bailiff at least 15 minutes before the docket starts.

For in-person proceedings, the Court provides assistive listening devices upon request. Parties are encouraged to test these devices with the Court bailiff at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the docket.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210)335-2241

For citation questions, contact the Bexar County Probate Clerk’s Office by phone at (210) 335-2241.

If you have questions about citations, please contact the Bexar County Probate Clerk’s Office at (210)335-2241 for further assistance.

INFOCivil cases

If an attorney has difficulty obtaining order copies, the Court suggests contacting the appropriate authority at the Clerk’s office.

If an attorney has problems obtaining copies of orders, the Court suggests that the attorney deal with the appropriate authority at the Clerk’s office.

INFO

The Courts will provide the public a link upon request to a hearing conducted entirely by remote streaming.

The Courts will provide a link upon request to any hearing that is fully conducted by remote streaming.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210) 335-2241

Letters of administration may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office using its listed phone number.

These letters may be ordered from the Probate Clerk's Office, (210) 335-2241.

INFOCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(210)335-2241

For questions about citations, returns of service, or JBCC background-check completion, contact the Probate Clerk’s office by phone.

Any questions regarding citations, return of service, or JBCC completion of background checks, please contact the Bexar County Probate Clerk’s office at (210)335-2241 for further assistance.

INFOCivil cases

Contact the County Clerk with questions or for corrections concerning the Publisher’s Affidavit.

Publisher’s Affidavit filed – contact the County Clerk for questions or corrections

INFO

Contested matters are set with the Court Coordinator of the applicable court.

All contested matters are set with the Court Coordinator of each court.