Judge Heather Hines
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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co.guadalupe.tx.us - kimberly.mcmahon@
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Document Format Requirements7 rules
Any show cause or other order setting a case presented for signature to a judge shall be on a separate page and not combined with a pleading.
A draft of an order shall not be typed on the same page with a pleading, motion, certificate of service, or any part thereof,
The signature line for the judge to sign proposed orders shall not be on a separate page, but shall be on a page with other text.
A spreadsheet showing assets provided instead of the Proposed Property Division form must be in an editable electronic format and provided to the court at the beginning of trial.
In a divorce suit, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Property Division using the form posted on the Guadalupe County District Courts' website, fully completed and signed by the party, or a single agreed Proposed Property Division, signed by both parties. In lieu of the Proposed Property Division form, a copy of a spreadsheet showing assets shall be provided to the court in an editable electronic format at the beginning of trial.
4. All pleadings and decrees must be printed on 8 ½ by 11 inch paper.
1. ALL pleadings and Court orders MUST appear neat, clean, with no smudges or strike-overs.
5. All pleadings must be originals. If you use preprinted forms, do not photocopy.
Document Filing Requirements58 rules
A notice of hearing is required for cases to be set on the docket
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
21. Attorney Certification- I, the undersigned attorney. Certify that the above information is true and correct and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. The compensation and expenses claimed were reasonable and necessary to provide effective assistance of counsel.
DocumentAttorney Fee Voucher
Counsel shall also provide a written statement of page and line references to their respective designations on which they seek a ruling on any evidentiary objections, including the basis for the objections. Failure to timely object will be deemed a waiver of any objections.
DocumentEvidentiary Objection Statement
Counsel shall provide a written statement of page and line references to cross- designations on which they seek a ruling on any evidentiary objections, including the basis for the objections. Failure to timely object will be deemed a waiver of the objection.
DocumentEvidentiary Objection Statement
All hearings in contested cases shall be set by written motion with a Notice or Order Setting Hearing attached. The Notice or Order Setting Hearing shall contain an estimated time allocation for the hearing.
DocumentMotion To Set Hearing
Each party shall file and serve on all other parties a proposed jury charge, including questions, definitions, and instructions, which shall include citations to the Texas Pattern Jury Charge and other authority that supports the submission.
DocumentProposed Jury Charge
Each request for a setting shall include an estimate of the total time required for the entire hearing, on all matters, for all participants.
DocumentSetting Request
Every non-dispositive motion must include one of the specified certifications about efforts to resolve or narrow the issues with affected parties.
every motion (other than dispositive motions) shall also certify that : • "Counsel has conferred with all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion in a good faith effort to resolve or narrow the issues raised ."; or • "Counsel has made reasonable efforts to confer with all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion but has been unable to do so."
DocumentMotion
every motion shall include a certification that "counsel has conferred with (or made reasonable efforts to confer with) all parties about the date, time, and format of the setting"
DocumentMotion
A hearing request on a motion to compel discovery must include counsel’s certification that agreement was attempted but unsuccessful, or the request will not be granted.
Requests for hearings on any motions related to compelling discovery in any form shall be accompanied by a certification from movant's counsel that they have attempted to obtain relief by agreement and have been unsuccessful. No hearing request will be granted on motions relating to compelling discovery without the required certification.
DocumentDiscovery Motion
When presenting a TRO that affects possession of or access to a child the requesting party shall include a statement that either (a) attempts have been made to confer with opposing counsel and have been unsuccessful or (b) the respondent is unrepresented at this time.
DocumentTRO
At the civil announcement docket, each side shall present to the court a proposed jury charge.
DocumentProposed Jury Charge
Upon the Court's order, counsel shall prepare the jury charge in its final form making changes or modifications ordered by the court.
DocumentJury Charge
Each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Issues, which shall state separately, in brief complete sentences each trial decision that is sought by the party that is not covered by a Proposed Parenting Plan .
DocumentProposed Disposition Of Issues
Unless the parties agree or stipulate to income or net resources, each party must provide specified financial records to the judge at the hearing and the opposing party beforehand; any stipulation must be written and signed by all parties.
Additionally, unless the parties agree or stipulate to a party's income and/or net resources as defined by the Texas Family Code, each party is required to furnish copies of the party's preceding four payroll statements or paystubs and the party's preceding year's income tax return (if the tax return has been filed), and preceding year's W-2 to the judge (but not the file) at the time of the hearing and to the opposing party prior to the hearing. If the parties agree to stipulate, the stipulation must be in writing and signed by all parties.
DocumentFinancial Records And Stipulation
Before a hearing on temporary or interim orders in a divorce or parent-child relationship suit, each party must prepare and deliver the required pre-trial forms.
Before any hearing on temporary or interim orders in any divorce suit or suit affecting the parent-child relationship (which include, but are not limited to, modification suits, paternity suits, and original suits) each party shall prepare and deliver pre-trial forms as follows:
DocumentPretrial Forms
In any suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, each party shall prepare and deliver a Financial Information Sheet using the form posted on the Guadalupe County District Courts' website, fully completed and signed by the party.
DocumentFinancial Information Sheet
In any suit requiring a determination or modification of conservatorship, or possession and access to a child, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Parenting Plan, pursuant to Texas Family Code §153.603, fully completed and signed by the party, a single agreed Proposed Parenting Plan signed by both parties, or shall summarize the relief in brief complete sentences as part of a Proposed Disposition of Other Issues.
DocumentProposed Parenting Plan
Each party shall deliver the required form to the opposing party and to the judge hearing the case.
DocumentRequired Pretrial Form
Each party shall deliver the required form to the opposing party before the case is called for hearing, and to the judge at the time of the hearing.
DocumentRequired Pretrial Form
If a party believes that additional time will be needed at the temporary or interim orders hearing that party may file a motion requesting additional time . The motion requesting additional time shall be supported by facts that show why additional time is needed in order to fully and fairly consider all issues, shall include how much additional time is requested, and shall be e-filed and then presented to the Court Administrator for the District Court assigned to the case. Each District Judge w ill consider, at their discretion, granting or denying additional time.
DocumentMotion For Additional Hearing Time
In a divorce suit, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Property Division using the form posted on the Guadalupe County District Courts' website, fully completed and signed by the party, or a single agreed Proposed Property Division, signed by both parties. In lieu of the Proposed Property Division form, a copy of a spreadsheet showing assets shall be provided to the court in an editable electronic format at the beginning of trial.
DocumentProposed Property Division
At trial, unless the parties agree or stipulate to income or net resources, each party must furnish the court without filing and furnish opposing parties the listed payroll and tax documents for the trial year from January 1 through trial.
Additionally, in any suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, unless parties agree or stipulate to a party's income and/or net resources as defined by the Texas Family Code, each party is required to furnish to the court (but not file), and to opposing parties, copies of the following at the time of trial: 2. All payroll statements, pay stubs, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and Schedule K-1 for the calendar year of the trial from January 1 through the date of trial.
DocumentFinancial Records
At trial, unless the parties agree or stipulate to income or net resources, each party must furnish the court without filing and furnish opposing parties the party’s federal tax returns for the prior two calendar years, or specified payroll and tax documents if returns were not filed.
Additionally, in any suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, unless parties agree or stipulate to a party's income and/or net resources as defined by the Texas Family Code, each party is required to furnish to the court (but not file), and to opposing parties, copies of the following at the time of trial: 1. The party's federal income tax returns for the previous two calendar years, or if no such return(s) have been filed, then all payroll statements, pay stubs, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and Schedule K-1 for such years;
DocumentFinancial Records
In any suit requiring determination of child support or spousal maintenance, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Support Decision using the form posted on the Guadalupe County District Courts' website, fully completed and signed by the party.
DocumentProposed Support Decision
iv. In any suit requiring a determination or modification of conservatorship, or possession and access to a child, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Parenting Plan, pursuant to Texas Family Code §156.603, fully completed and signed by the party, a single agreed Proposed Parenting Plan signed by both parties, or shall summarize in the requested relief in brief complete sentences as part of a Proposed Disposition of Other Issues.
DocumentProposed Parenting Plan
Each party must prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Other Issues stating uncaptured requested trial decisions in brief, complete sentences.
Additionally, each party shall also prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Other Issues, which shall state briefly in brief complete sentences each trial decision that is sought by the party that is not covered by the Proposed Property Division, Proposed Support Decision, or Proposed Parenting Plan.
DocumentProposed Disposition Of Other Issues
If the divorce involves children, the parties shall file a certificate of completion showing that a 4 hour parenting class has been completed prior to requesting the court render the divorce.
DocumentDivorce
If a Motion to Confer is filed and set with a final trial on the merits, the parties shall include the time the court will confer with the child in their time announcement.
DocumentTime Announcement
each such draft shall have a heading showing the cause number, the style of the case, and the court in which it is pending.
DocumentProposed Order
The word "entered" shall not be used to show the date on which a judgment, decree, or order is signed.
DocumentProposed Order
A motion to withdraw must be presented at a hearing after notice to the client and all other parties unless the attorney files the specified written consents and a certificate of the client’s last known mailing address.
A motion to withdraw from representation shall be presented at a hearing after notice to the client and all other parties unless the moving attorney: a. Files written consent to the withdrawal signed by all other parties; b. Files a written consent to the withdrawal signed by the client; and c. Files a certificate stating the last known mailing address of the client.
DocumentMotion To Withdraw
A motion to substitute shall be signed by all parties
DocumentMotion To Substitute
For defendants committed to the specified facilities, the County Attorney must prepare the judgment unless the Court directs otherwise, and the judgment must be presented within three business days of sentencing.
Judgements where defendants are committed to TDCJ-ID, or TDCJ State Jail Division , or Guadalupe County Jail shall be prepared by the County Attorney, unless otherwise directed by the Court. Judgements where defendants are committed to TDCJ-ID, or TDCJ State Jail Division, or Guadalupe County Jail shall be presented to the court within three business days of sentencing.
DocumentJudgment
Upon order of the Court, the State shall prepare the jury charge in its final form making changes or modifications at the direction of the Court.
DocumentFinal Jury Charge
The statement may only be submitted as an attachment to the fee voucher.
DocumentFee Voucher Attachment
The attorneys for the state and the defense shall deliver to the Court a proposed charge on the Monday the trial commences. The charge shall be provided prior to the commencement of jury selection .
DocumentProposed Jury Charge
All court appointed attorneys shall, at the conclusion of the representation of a defendant, provide the court with an itemized statement reflecting the hours spent in court and the number of hours spent out of court in representation the defendant.
DocumentFee Voucher Attachment
This certificate MUST be on file with the District Clerk's Office before a court date for the final divorce will be given .
DocumentParenting Class Certificate
e. If a child is not the child of the spouse but was born during the marriage, the child MUST be listed in the decree and paternity MUST be established .
DocumentDivorce Decree
a. Provision for custody of the children and with whom they will live.
DocumentDivorce Decree
b. A schedule of visitation.
DocumentDivorce Decree
CHILD SUPPORT CANNOT BE WAIVED without the approval of the Court which will rarely be given.
DocumentDivorce Decree
c. Provision for the children to be covered by health insurance.
DocumentDivorce Decree
d. Provision for child support in accordance with the guidelines in the Texas Family Code.
DocumentDivorce Decree
6. If the divorce/decree involves property, you MUST include the proper legal description and information concerning the bank or lienholder.
DocumentDivorce Decree
f. Both parents MUST complete a parenting class, minimum four (4) hours, that will provide you with a certificate of completion.
DocumentParenting Class Certificate
8. Obtain the Bureau of Vital Statistics form from the District Clerk's Office and have it completely filled out before you come to court for your divorce.
DocumentBureau Of Vital Statistics Form
The divorce decree must include the specified findings concerning the acknowledgment and denial of paternity and the order adjudicating that the husband is not the child’s father.
The decree of divorce must contain the following findings and order: a. The Court finds that a valid acknowledgement of paternity has been filed and is effective pursuant to Subchapter D, Chapter 160, Texas Family Code. b. The Court finds that a valid denial of paternity has been filed and is effective pursuant to Subchapter D, Chapter 160, Texas Family Code. c. The Court finds that [name of husband] is not the father of the child, [name of child]. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that [name of husband] is not, and he is adjudicated not to be, the father of the child, [name of child], born on [date] to [name of wife].
DocumentDivorce Decree
The divorce decree must contain the specified finding about genetic testing and order adjudicating that the husband is not the child's father.
7. The decree of divorce must contain the following finding and order: a. The Court finds that admissible results of genetic testing identify another man as the father of the child, [name of child]. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that [name of husband] is not, and he is adjudicated not to be, the father of the child, [name of child], born on [date] to [name of wife].
DocumentDecree Of Divorce
8. On or before the date of the final hearing, the parties must present the Court with an agreed motion and order for severance of the suit affecting the parent-child relationship regarding the child not of the marriage and have deposited with the District Clerk all cost associated with the filing of the severed suit. The order for severance will be signed by the Court contemporaneously with the divorce decree.
DocumentAgreed Motion For Severance
A notice of hearing is required for cases to be set on the docket
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
The court retains discretion to strike any setting in which the motion (or an amended version of the motion) does not include such certificates.
DocumentMotion
When requesting a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, counsel shall not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in the standing order except to seek a modification of the standing order.
DocumentMotion
The parties may not by agreement waive or modify the provisions or requirements of these rules.
DocumentPretrial Forms
So far as practicable, every draft of a judgment, decree, or order to be signed by a judge or associate judge shall be signed by all parties evidencing approval as to form before it is presented to the judge.
DocumentProposed Order
3. If anything contained in the forms you are using do not apply to you and your spouse, DO NOT include them in your petition or your decree.
DocumentPetition Or Divorce Decree
2. ALL fill in the blank pleadings and decrees must be FULLY filled in. NO BLANKS.
DocumentPleading Or Divorce Decree
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
After the Court Administrator returns the signed notice, e-file it with the District Clerk.
Administrator will email the signed notice of hearing back for you to efile with the District Clerk
Page 1 | Court Calendar and Docket Setting Instructions
A case may not be set on a District Court docket unless the presiding District Court’s Court Administrator has signed the Notice or Order Setting Hearing and it has been e-filed into the case.
A case will not be set on any District Court docket unless a Notice or Order Setting Hearing has been signed by the Court Administrator for the District Court presiding over the hearing and e-filed into the case.
Page 4 | 2.1 Setting Cases for Contested Motions/Hearings
A motion requesting additional time at a temporary or interim orders hearing must be e-filed.
If a party believes that additional time will be needed at the temporary or interim orders hearing that party may file a motion requesting additional time . The motion requesting additional time shall be supported by facts that show why additional time is needed in order to fully and fairly consider all issues, shall include how much additional time is requested, and shall be e-filed and then presented to the Court Administrator for the District Court assigned to the case.
Page 13 | 3.7 Time Limits on Temporary or Interim Orders Hearings
Proposed or draft orders must be electronically filed with the District Clerk.
Proposed or draft orders shall bee-filed with the District Clerk.
Page 17 | 4.1 Filing of Proposed Orders
All orders must be electronically filed for submission to the Court within fourteen days of rendition, unless the Court directs otherwise.
All orders shall bee-filed for submission to the Court within fourteen (14) days from the date of rendition, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Page 17 | 4.6 Timeline for Submission by Parties
Draft orders approved as to form must be electronically filed with the District Clerk for the deciding judge within ten days after the hearing or final trial.
Draft orders, approved as to form, shall be e-filed with the District Clerk for presentation to the judge who decided the matter within ten days after the hearing or final trial.
Page 17 | 4.3 Presentation of Orders After Hearing
Motions to withdraw must be e-filed and set with the District Court assigned to the case; counsel must continue appearing until the granting order is signed.
Motions to Withdraw shall bee-filed and set with the District Court assigned to the case. Counsel shall continue to appear until an order granting the motion to withdraw is signed.
Page 26 | 9.7 Motions to Withdraw and Motions to Substitute
Motions to substitute must be e-filed, and any order not already signed by the presiding judge must be presented for signature at the next docket setting.
Motions to Substitute shall bee-filed and the order shall be presented to the court at the next docket setting for signature if the order has not been previously signed by the presiding judge.
Page 26 | 9.7 Motions to Withdraw and Motions to Substitute
The Presiding Judge may sua sponte drop a setting if the Notice or Order Setting Hearing has not been signed by the appropriate Court Administrator and e-filed.
If a Notice of Order Setting Hearing has not been signed by the appropriate Court Administrator and e-filed the Presiding Judge may sua sponte drop the setting
Page 4 | 2.1 Setting Cases for Contested Motions/Hearings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Counsel must exchange page and line references for deposition testimony to be offered in the case in chief 15 days before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. FIFTEEN DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 1. Counsel shall exchange page and line references for all deposition testimony to be offered in the case in chief.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Counsel must exchange cross-designations of page and line references for deposition testimony to be used at trial one week before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. ONE WEEK BEFORE TRIAL 1. Counsel shall exchange cross-designations of page and line references of all deposition testimony to be used at trial.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
A summary-judgment motion may not be set within 30 days of a final trial setting.
Motion for summary judgment shall not be set within 30 days of a final trial setting.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Counsel must exchange anticipated fact- and expert-witness lists, including reasonably anticipated rebuttal witnesses, 30 days before trial; an unidentified person may not testify absent good cause.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. THIRTY DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 1. All challenges to expert witnesses shall be filed. Counsel shall exchange their lists of fact and expert witnesses, including rebuttal witnesses that reasonably should be anticipated, that each intends to call at trial. Persons not so identified will not be allowed to testify unless good cause is shown.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Counsel must exchange anticipated exhibit lists 30 days before trial; an exhibit not timely listed will not be admitted absent good cause.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. THIRTY DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 2. Counsel shall exchange their lists of exhibits that each reasonably anticipates will be offered in evidence. Exhibits not timely listed will not be admitted unless good cause is shown.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Counsel must exchange motions in limine 10 days before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. TEN DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 1. Counsel shall exchange motions in limine.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Expert-witness challenges must be filed 30 days before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. THIRTY DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 1. All challenges to expert witnesses shall be filed.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
Summary-judgment motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. THIRTY DAYS BEFORE TRIAL 3. All motions for summary judgment shall be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.
Page 3 | 2.0 General Timelines
A party may request a setting only after filing the motion with the required certifications or by filing it immediately and no later than 24 hours after obtaining setting dates.
A party shall not request a setting unless the party has filed the motion with the certifications required in Local Rule: Chapter 2 Subsection 2 or will file the motion immediately, but in no event later than 24 hours after obtaining the setting dates from the appropriate Court Administrator.
Page 5 | 2.1 Setting Cases for Contested Motions/Hearings
Required pre-trial forms and pleading amendments must be filed before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the week of the trial setting.
Each party shall file the required pre-trial forms and any amendment to pleadings before 5:00 p.m . on the Monday two weeks before the week of the trial setting.
Page 15 | When to File
All orders must be submitted to the Court within fourteen days of rendition, unless the Court directs otherwise.
All orders shall bee-filed for submission to the Court within fourteen (14) days from the date of rendition, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Page 17 | 4.6 Timeline for Submission by Parties
Approved draft orders must be filed within ten days after the hearing or final trial.
Draft orders, approved as to form, shall be e-filed with the District Clerk for presentation to the judge who decided the matter within ten days after the hearing or final trial.
Page 17 | 4.3 Presentation of Orders After Hearing
The Court must sign judgments and orders within fourteen days after submission unless a party requests a hearing on a motion to enter.
All judgments and orders shall be signed by the court within fourteen (14) days from the date they are submitted unless any party requests a hearing on a motion to enter.
Page 18 | 4.7 Timeline for Judicial Signature
A motion to retain must state the factual and legal basis for retaining the case and be filed at least 14 days before the dismissal date.
Motions to retain shall set forth the factual and legal basis for retaining the case and shall be filed at least 14 days prior to the dismissal date specified in the notice of dismissal.
Page 23 | 8.5 Motions to Retain and Objections to Motions to Retain
An objection to a motion to retain must be filed at least 7 days before the dismissal date.
Any objection to a motion to retain shall be filed at least 7 days prior to the dismissal date specified in the notice of dismissal.
Page 23 | 8.5 Motions to Retain and Objections to Motions to Retain
A party receiving notice of a motion to retain must file any objection to mediation at least 7 days before the dismissal date.
Parties receiving notice of a motion to retain shall file any objection to mediation at least 7 days prior to the dismissal date specified in the notice of dismissal.
Page 24 | 8.6 Objection to Mediation
Submit the divorce decree to the judge at least seven days before the scheduled final hearing.
9. ALL Decrees of Divorce MUST be submitted to the Judge hearing the case at least seven (7) days prior to your scheduled final hearing date.
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
Pre-trial form and pleading amendments may be filed after the deadline only by party agreement or court leave, which will be granted unless the filing would surprise the opposing party.
Amendments to pre-trial forms and amendments to pleadings may be filed after the deadline above only by agreement of the parties or upon leave of the court, which leave will be granted unless there is a showing that the filing will operate as a surprise to the opposite party.
Page 15 | When to File
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Each party must file and serve all other parties with a proposed jury charge, including questions, definitions, instructions, and supporting citations, one week before trial unless a court-ordered docket control order controls the timeline.
Unless timelines are otherwise controlled by a court ordered docket control order, the following deadlines are to be followed by the parties. ONE WEEK BEFORE TRIAL 2. Each party shall file and serve on all other parties a proposed jury charge, including questions, definitions, and instructions, which shall include citations to the Texas Pattern Jury Charge and other authority that supports the submission.
Page 4 | 2.0 General Timelines
The party obtaining a setting must notify all parties of its date, time, and total hearing time, following the manner and timing in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rules.
Neither the court nor the Court Administrator sends notices of settings. The party who obtains the setting shall give notice to all parties of the time and date of a setting and the total time needed for the entire hearing for all participants. Notice shall be given in the manner and within the time provided by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and these Local Rules.
Page 6 | 2.3 Notice of Setting to be Provided by the Party Obtaining the Setting
Each party must file the required forms with the District Clerk and deliver a copy to the opposing party.
Each party shall file the required forms with the District Clerk and deliver a copy to the opposing party.
Page 15 | Where to File
Copies of notices, motions, and pleadings required by the standing order must also be delivered to the assigned District Court’s Court Administrator.
A copy of notices, motions, and pleadings required to be filed by this standing order also shall be delivered to the Court Administrator for the District Court assigned to the case.
Page 23 | 8.2 Copies to Court Administrator
Attorneys may file vacation letters with the court and provide copies to all opposing counsel for a cumulative period of no more than four weeks per year.
An attorney may file vacation letters with the court, with copies to all opposing counsel, for a time period not to exceed a cumulative of four total weeks per year.
Page 8 | 2.11 Vacation Letters
Filing Fees and Waivers
The jury fee must be paid before a jury setting will be given.
A jury setting will not be given until the jury fee has been paid.
Page 9 | 2.14 Jury Settings in Civil Litigation
The parties must deposit all costs associated with filing the severed suit with the District Clerk by the final hearing.
8. On or before the date of the final hearing, the parties must present the Court with an agreed motion and order for severance of the suit affecting the parent-child relationship regarding the child not of the marriage and have deposited with the District Clerk all cost associated with the filing of the severed suit. The order for severance will be signed by the Court contemporaneously with the divorce decree.
Civil cases
Page 3
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A requested remote hearing requires agreement of all parties and specific court approval.
i.e. if remote hearing is requested it shall be by agreement of all the parties and with specific court approval
Page 6 | 2.2 Conferring and Certification Requirements Prior to Setting a Hearing
Before setting a hearing, the parties must make reasonable efforts to speak about the hearing details and motion substance to narrow disputes.
Prior to setting a hearing, the parties shall make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another regarding the date, time, and format (i.e. if remote hearing is requested it shall be by agreement of all the parties and with specific court approval) of a hearing or trial and the substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention .
Page 6 | 2.2 Conferring and Certification Requirements Prior to Setting a Hearing
Before presenting a TRO affecting possession of or access to a child to the Court Administrator, the applicant or counsel must confer with represented opposing counsel.
If a TRO affects the possession of or access to a child, and the opposing party is represented by counsel, the applicant or their counsel shall confer prior to presenting the TRO to the appropriate Court Administrator.
Page 10 | 3.2 Application for TRO to be Served with Citation
In a family law case, a request for a TRO to be served with citation may be presented ex parte if supported by an affidavit and if it does not affect possession of or access to a child.
Notwithstanding Chapter 7, in a family law case, a request for a TRO to be served with citation may be presented ex parte if supported by an affidavit and if the relief would not affect the possession of or access to a child.
Page 10 | 3.2 Application for TRO to be Served with Citation
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions for continuance must comply with Rules 251 et seq. of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
All Motions for Continuance shall be in accordance with Rules 251 et seq of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 7 | 2.6 Motions for Continuance
Filing a continuance motion, even with all parties’ agreement, does not continue the case; a signed order or notice from the Court Administrator is required.
The mere filing of a Motion for Continuance does not mean that the continuance will be granted, even with the agreement of all parties. A case is not continued unless an Order Granting the Motion for Continuance has been signed by the presiding judge or the Court Administrator for the presiding judge has notified all parties not to appear.
Page 7 | 2.6 Motions for Continuance
The Court Administrator may not extend the time for delivering pretrial forms.
The Court Administrator is not authorized to extend the time for delivering pretrial forms .
Page 12 | 3.4 No Extensions or Waivers by Court Administrator or by Agreement
Chambers Communication Rules
Contact the Court Administrator to verify docket availability.
Always contact the Court Administrator to verify docket availability
Page 1 | Court Calendar and Docket Setting Instructions
Email the notice of hearing to the Court Administrator for signature.
Email the notice of hearing to the Court Administrator for signature
Page 1 | Court Calendar and Docket Setting Instructions
The Court Administrator must approve all dates by email.
All dates must be approved by the Court Administrator via email
Page 1 | Court Calendar and Docket Setting Instructions
Hearings and trials must be scheduled through the presiding court’s Court Administrator, and a party requesting a hearing must contact the assigned District Court’s Court Administrator about potential dates.
All settings for hearings or trials shall be scheduled through the Court Administrator for the Court which will be presiding over the hearing or trial. For potential hearing dates, the party requesting the hearing shall contact the Court Administrator for the District Court which has been assigned the case.
Page 4 | 2.1 Setting Cases for Contested Motions/Hearings
Email the notice of hearing to the Court Administrator for signature.
Email the notice of hearing to court administrator for signature
Page 1 | Docket Setting Instructions
The Administrator will email the signed notice of hearing back for filing with the District Clerk.
Administrator will email the signed notice of hearing back for you to file with the District Clerk
Page 1 | Docket Setting Instructions
Ex parte or other communications to the judge or court personnel about the merits of a pending or impending proceeding are prohibited and must be promptly rejected.
Canon 3, Section B(8) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct Expressly Provides that a Judge and Court personnel shall not directly or indirectly initiate, permit, or consider ex parte communications or other communications made to the Judge outside the presence of the parties concerning the merits of a pending or impending judicial proceeding. Any communication to the Judge or Court personnel concerning the merits of a pending or impending judicial proceeding is prohibited and shall be promptly rejected.
Page 1 | Notice Regarding Contact with the Judge or Court Personnel
Obtain court settings by contacting the administrator or coordinator assigned to the case.
10. All Court settings shall be obtained by contacting the court administrator/coordinator to which your case has been assigned.
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
Contact the Court Administrator to verify docket availability.
Always contact the Court Administrator to verify docket availability
Page 1 | Docket Setting Instructions
For cases ending in CV-B, contact Kim McMahon using the listed email address or phone number.
B (XX-XXXX-CV-B} Contact Kim McMahon kimberly.mcmahon@co.guadalupe.tx.us 830-303-8852 x3
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
For cases ending in CV-C, contact Lynn Bothe using the listed email address or phone number.
C (XX-XXXX-CV-C) Contact Lynn Bothe lynnb@co.guadalupe.tx.us 830-303-8852 xl
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
For cases ending in CV-A, contact Rachel Luna using the listed email address or phone number.
A (XX-XXXX-CV-A) Contact Rachel Luna rachel.luna@co.guadalupe.tx.us 830-303-8852 x2
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
For cases ending in CV-E, contact Lorna Dean using the listed email address or phone number.
E {XX-XXXX-CV-E} Contact Lorna Dean lornad@co.guadalupe.tx.us 830-303-8869 x4
Page 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO PRO SE LITIGANTS IN DIVORCE CASES
Contact the administrator by email or phone to check availability before requesting a court date.
Contact the administrator by email or phone for availability before requesting a court date.
Page 1 | Court Calendar