Harris County District Courts Document Filing Requirements

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Supreme Court Ad Litem Fee Report

The Court prefers advance filing of the Supreme Court Ad Litem Fee Report, but it is not required to obtain a hearing date.

The Court prefers that the Supreme Court Ad Litem Fee Report be filed in advance of the hearing; however, it is not required in order to obtain a hearing date.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed Final Judgment

The proposed Final Judgment may be amended before the hearing if necessary.

The proposed Final Judgment may be amended before the hearing, if necessary.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed amended scheduling order

As an alternative, parties may submit a proposed amended scheduling order for the Court’s consideration.

Alternatively, the parties may submit a proposed amended scheduling order for the Court’s consideration.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing

The Court prefers advance filing of the Supreme Court Ad Litem Fee Report, but the report is not required to obtain a hearing date.

The Court prefers that the Supreme Court Ad Litem Fee Report be filed in advance of the hearing; however, it is not required in order to obtain a hearing date.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

The parties should be prepared to identify to Judge Aston the exhibit numbers to which they have no objection.

Be prepared to advise Judge Aston of exhibit numbers for which you have no objection.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed findings conclusions

Proposed findings and conclusions may be revised and filed after trial as allowed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

These proposed findings and conclusions may, of course, be revised and filed subsequent to the trial as allowed by the TRCP.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation objection motion

An opposed motion objecting to mediation may result in the court setting an oral hearing.

An opposed motion may possibly cause the court to set the matter for oral hearing.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Courtroom attire

Courtroom attendees are asked to bathe and avoid excessive perfume.

Bathe, do not over-perfume

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

The Court asks parties to tailor motions in limine to the issues in the case rather than filing boilerplate motions.

Please work diligently to hone your Motion in Limine to the issues in the case rather than a boilerplate “everything but the kitchen sink” motion.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Jury questionnaire

The parties are asked to work together to prepare a joint jury questionnaire that is as brief as possible.

Please work together to prepare a joint questionnaire that is as brief as possible.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation objection motion

An agreed motion objecting to mediation will almost always be granted.

An agreed motion objecting to mediation will almost always be granted.

INFOCivil cases

The parties should be prepared to advise Judge Aston of the realistic time needed for their case in chief and any lengthy cross-examinations.

Be prepared to advise Judge Aston of a realistic amount of time necessary to present your case in chief and any lengthy cross-examinations.

INFO

Applies to

Motion

Unopposed/agreed motions, non-suits, and motions for substitute service do not require setting a hearing.

Unopposed/agreed motions, non-suits, motions for substitute service do not require setting a hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw

A motion to withdraw that leaves a pro-se client must include a notice of the hearings, factual statement of circumstances, the counsel certification with client contact information, a detailed client letter, and the client's acceptance or proof of consent.

Before consideration of a motion to withdraw that will leave a client as self-represented, the following must be processed file: Notice of hearing or submission. A statement of the particular circumstances and disciplinary rules requiring withdrawal. A general statement of “irreconcilable conflicts” is not enough. A certificate by the counsel of record of the client's name, address, and telephone number, a expertise that information is current or was last known to be current along with email details. A copy letter informing the client of the fact of withdrawal, that the client is covered by the Texas Rules, that notices to the client's present address will be deemed, that no continuances will be granted to assist new counsel, and the hearing or submission date. Association the notices. Of the attorney giving the client notice theories, that all notices from the Court to the client address will be considered, no extensionerners will be granted to the client, and the motion's hearing or submission date. A signed acceptance if the client has agreed; and if the client has not agreed, proof of service of the letter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw

Before any m to withdraw is considered, the attorney must file the enumerated list including notice of hearing, supporting statement, client information certificate, client notice letter, and acceptance or proof of service.

The following must be filed before any motion to withdraw as attorney of record will be considered: (1) Notice of hearing; (2) A statement of the particular circumstances and disciplinary rules requiring withdrawal; (3) A certificate by the attorney of the client's name, address, and telephone number, and a current statement; (4) A copy of a letter to the client giving the required notices; and (5) A signed acceptance of the letter or a proof of service of the letter.

CRITICAL

The substituted-service order must include and attach Exhibit A requiring specific mailing, return, and reporting provisions.

Additionally, the following must be referenced and attached as an exhibit to the order: EXHIBIT A ... (a) mailing by certified and regular mail, (b) return not made within 30 days after mailing, (c) return stating date and result, (d) attaching any returned envelope.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion for service by publication

Motions for service by publication must comply with TRCP 109, 116, and 117, include an affidavit describing stated conditions, and use the form order.

Motions for service by publication must be in strict compliance with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 109, 116 and 117. The motion should coordinates with an affidavit purposes (a) side of the steps trying to verify that the residence of of the defendant is unknown to the affiant and/or that the situation squads and the defendants are; or specific situation requires Horse; (b) attempts to locate the disclosure or the defendant is absent from or is a non-resident of the State; and (c) related to the nonresident, that the party has attempted to obtain personal service of any nonresidentalion the defendant as described at Rule 108 but has been able to do so do; may move on as included and the form order service of substitute.