Harris County District Courts Document Filing Requirements
567 rules from official source documents
Rules 1 to 50, page 1 of 12
Required elements, certificates, and structural requirements for court documents.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Vacation letter
In family cases, a vacation letter must designate another attorney to act in an emergency; that attorney may be called upon to act only with the client’s consent and when the court requires it.
In family cases, the vacation letter must be accompanied by the designation of another attorney to act for the vacationing attorney in the event of an emergency. The designated attorney may be called upon to act only if the client consents and the court requires it.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Required documents
If a hearing or trial is reset, each party must reasonably supplement or amend the required documents, no later than 10 days before the new trial date.
5.4 Duty to Supplement. If a hearing or trial is reset, each party must reasonably supplement or amend the documents required under this rule. Any supplementation must be provided no later than 10 days before the new trial date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Vacation letter
In family cases, a vacation letter must include the designation of another attorney for emergencies; that attorney may act only if the client consents and the court requires it.
In family cases, the vacation letter must be accompanied by the designation of another attorney to act for the vacationing attorney in the event of an emergency. The designated attorney may be called upon to act only if the client consents and the court requires it.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice of submission
The notice must state that: 1) the motion will be heard by submission; 2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and 3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
The notice must state that: 1) the motion will be heard by submission; 2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and 3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Wheel inclusion application
Counsel seeking placement on a wheel must send the application available on the court’s website.
Counsel wanting to be placed on a wheel shall send the application located on the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
A motion must state Monday at 8:00 a.m. as its written-submission date.
Motions shall state Monday at 8:00 a.m. as the date for written submission.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial by default
When the respondent has not answered or appeared, a certificate of last known address and a nonmilitary affidavit or declaration must be on file before trial.
If the respondent has not filed an answer or appeared in the case, a certificate of last known address and nonmilitary affidavit/declaration must be on file before trial.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed order
If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before the entry date for the judge’s signature.
If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibits
For a property division involving a marital estate with numerous assets or debts, include an editable file containing the party’s proposed division with the exhibits.
b. For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, include with the exhibits an editable file (i.e., .xls) containing the party’s proposed property division.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
Unopposed motions must be labeled “Unopposed” in the caption.
6.4 Unopposed Motions. Unopposed motions shall be labeled "Unopposed" in the caption.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion plea or special exception
- Must include
- certificate of conference
Certificates of conference are required for motions, pleas, and special exceptions, except for the listed categories, including summary judgments, default judgments, agreed judgments, voluntary-dismissal or nonsuit motions, post-verdict motions, and motions involving service of citation.
The certificates of conference required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure are extended to all motions, pleas and special exceptions except summary judgments, default judgments, agreed judgments, motions for voluntary dismissal or non-suit, post-verdict motions and motions involving service of citation.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Disclosure
Each party must reasonably supplement its disclosures before trial.
4.6 Duty to Supplement. Each party has a duty to reasonably supplement their disclosures before trial.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Disclosure
Each party must exchange the disclosures required by Rules 4.2 and 4.3 without objection, including copies of documents within its possession, custody, or control.
4.1 Duty of Disclosure. Notwithstanding a discovery request, each party to a suit has a duty to exchange, without objection, the items in Rules 4.2 and 4.3, below, "Disclosure" includes producing copies of documents within a party's possession, custody, or control.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Response
- Must include
- proposed order
Responses must be written and accompanied by a proposed order.
6.2 Response. Responses shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a proposed order.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Final trial financial documents
When a party seeks final orders for child support, spousal maintenance, or attorney's fees, both parties must exchange the listed financial and insurance documents before trial.
5.2.1 If either party is seeking final orders for child support, spousal maintenance, or attorney's fees, both parties shall exchange the following documents at least 10 days before trial: a. financial information statement listing that party's income and monthly expenses; b. The party's last two federal income tax returns (whether joint or individual); c. The party's wage statements or paystubs for the last two months; and d. A statement of health and dental insurance availability, including a breakdown of cost to cover the spouse or child(ren).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Financial disclosure
In cases requesting child support or spousal maintenance, both parties must disclose the listed tax, wage, and insurance information.
4.3 Financial Information. In all cases requesting child support or spousal maintenance, both parties must disclose the following: a. The party's last two federal income tax returns (whether joint or individual); b. The party's wage statements or paystubs for the last two months; and c. A statement of health and dental insurance availability, including a breakdown of cost to cover the spouse or child(ren).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial documents
In all cases, the parties must exchange the listed applicable trial documents at least 10 days before trial.
5.2.2 In all cases, the parties shall also exchange the following documents, as applicable, at least 10 days before trial: a. A sworn inventory and appraisement; b. A proposed property division; c. Suggested child support findings; d. Suggested spousal maintenance findings; and e. Proposed parenting plan.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Designated uniform report
Every person appointed to a position for which a fee may be paid must file the designated uniform report, whether or not a fee is charged.
Each person appointed by a judge in the Civil Trial Division to a position for which any type of fee may be paid shall file the designated uniform report before any judgment, dismissal, or nonsuit is signed. This report is required for every appointment made whether or not a fee is charged.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial by default
In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before a default trial begins.
In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before the trial by default begins. (See Rule 6.4, above.)
CRITICALCriminal cases
- Applies to
- Motion to substitute counsel
A retained replacement attorney must file a written motion to substitute counsel that names both attorneys.
(2) An attorney retained to replace existing counsel must file a written motion to substitute counsel, naming both the attorney substituting in and the attorney being relieved.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice of submission
The notice must state that the motion will be heard by submission, parties may not appear in person, and responses must be filed by the stated deadline.
The notice must state that: (1) the motion will be heard by submission; (2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and (3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
- Must include
- proposed order
Motions must be written and accompanied by a separate proposed order granting the requested relief.
6.1 Forms. Motions shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a proposed order granting the relief sought. The proposed order shall be a separate instrument.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
- Must include
- certificate of conference
Opposed motions must include a certificate of conference documenting the parties’ good-faith efforts and disagreement, or detailing why they could not confer and their attempted communications.
6.5 Opposed motions. Opposed motions shall contain a certificate of conference that: 1) states that the movant and respondent have conferred with each other and in good faith have attempted to resolve the matter; and 2) identifies the basis of disagreement between counsel; or 3) states that the parties have not been able to confer, and states in detail all efforts made to confer, including dates and methods of attempted communication.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
- Must include
- proposed order
Each motion must be accompanied by a proposed order granting the requested relief.
Motions shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a proposed order granting the relief sought.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Oral hearing notice
A notice of oral hearing must state the hearing’s time and date.
The notice of oral hearing shall state the time and date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to enter
A motion to enter must include the movant’s proposed order; the proponent must sign approval as to form, and the nonmovant must provide marked edits and a clean copy signed as to form.
Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label) and the proponent must sign indicating approval as to form. Nonmovant must attach markup identifying proposed edits and a clean copy signed indicating approval as to form.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Vacation designation
A vacation designation must use the approved form and include a consenting alternate attorney; that attorney may be called upon only with client consent and at the court’s request due to an emergency.
The vacation designation shall be honored only if it is made on the vacation letter form approved by the Board of District Judges of the Family Trial Division and is accompanied by the attorney's designation of at least one attorney who has consented to act for the vacationing attorney. The designated attorney shall be called upon to act only if the client consents to the designated attorney's representation, and then only if the court requests the designated attorney's participation due to an emergency.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Judgment or order
Any forms required by governmental entities must be submitted with the judgment or order.
Any forms required by governmental entities must be submitted with the judgment or order.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Property disclosure
In divorce and annulment cases, both parties must disclose the listed property-related tax, debt, benefit, insurance, financial-account, and credit-card documents.
4.2 Property Disclosure. In all cases for divorce or annulment (with or without children) both parties shall disclose the following information about property in which the party claims an interest: a. The party's last two federal income tax returns (whether joint or individual); b. Copies of deeds, deeds of trust, promissory notes, and most recent mortgage statement(s); c. Copies of the most recent account statement for any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit plan; d. Copies of all insurance policies, including life, auto, casualty, liability, health and dental insurance covering a party or a child the subject of the suit; e. The most recent account statement for all funds held in financial institutions including, but not limited to, banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and brokerage firms; and f. The most recent credit card statement for all credit card accounts in the name of the parties, or either party.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Response
- Must include
- proposed order
Responses must be in writing and accompanied by a proposed order.
Responses shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a proposed order.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Temporary orders hearing documents
When a party seeks the specified temporary orders, both parties must exchange the listed financial and insurance documents before the hearing.
5.1 Before temporary orders hearings. If either party is seeking temporary orders for child support, spousal support, payment of family expenses, or attorney's fees, both parties shall exchange the following documents by 2:00 p.m. the business day before the hearing. a. A financial information statement listing that party's income and monthly expenses; b. The party's last two federal income tax returns (whether joint or individual); c. The party's paystubs for the last two months; and d. A statement of health and dental insurance availability, including a breakdown of cost to cover individuals, spouses, and children.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
An unopposed motion must be labeled “Unopposed” in its caption.
Unopposed motions shall be labeled "Unopposed" in the caption.
CRITICALCriminal cases
- Applies to
- Reset agreement
A reset agreement must be prepared by the attorney seeking rescheduling, concurred in by opposing counsel, submitted for Court approval, and filed with the District Clerk.
(1) When a case is to be rescheduled, a reset agreement must be prepared by the attorney seeking the reset and concurred in by opposing counsel. The reset agreement must be submitted for approval to the Court and subsequently filed with the Harris County District Clerk.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed order
- Must include
- proposed order
If an uncontested order has all signatures, file the proposed order before the entry date for the judge’s signature.
If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Inventory and appraisement
In all divorces, a sworn, pre-marked inventory and appraisement must be submitted as an exhibit before a default trial begins.
In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before the trial by default begins.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit submission email
The exhibit email’s subject line must include the full cause number, party identification, and proceeding date.
The subject line of the email shall state the full cause number, your party identification, and the date of the court proceeding.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial by default
If the respondent has not answered or appeared, a certificate of last known address and a nonmilitary affidavit or declaration must be on file before trial.
If the respondent has not filed an answer or appeared in the case, a certificate of last known address and nonmilitary affidavit/declaration must be on file before trial.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to enter
- Must include
- proposed order
The movant must attach an unlabeled proposed order to the motion to enter, and the proponent must sign it to indicate approval as to form.
Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label) and the proponent must sign indicating approval as to form.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibits
For a property division involving a marital estate with numerous assets or debts, include an editable file, such as an .xls file, containing the party’s proposed division with the exhibits.
For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, include with the exhibits an editable file (i.e., .xls) containing the party’s proposed property division.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Pretrial conference
Before a jury-trial pretrial conference, the parties must complete all actions in the Pretrial Conference Checklist.
Prior to the pre-trial conference for a jury trial, the parties must complete all actions identified in the Pretrial Conference Checklist (See Court’s website).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit
A rebuttal or impeachment exhibit not exchanged before the hearing must respond to a matter raised by the other side.
Rebuttal or impeachment exhibits that were not exchanged before the hearing must be responsive to a matter raised by the other side.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Contested entry submission
The nonmovant must attach markup identifying proposed edits and a clean copy signed to indicate approval as to form.
Nonmovant must attach markup identifying proposed edits and a clean copy signed indicating approval as to form.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice of submission
The notice must state that: (1) the motion will be heard by submission; (2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and (3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
The notice must state that: (1) the motion will be heard by submission; (2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and (3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Trial notebook
Parties must prepare and bring a Trial Notebook with specified contents to pretrial conference.
parties must prepare, exchange and bring to the pretrial conference, one Trial Notebook that contains: · live pleadings; · witness lists (with estimated time for examination and cross-examination of each); · exhibit lists (including copies of exhibits and any objections); · motions in limine and objections; · deposition extracts and objections; and · proposed jury charges.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion to withdraw
Motion to withdraw must be set on oral hearing/submission docket and contain specific information and documents.
Motions for withdrawal of counsel must be set on the oral hearing/submission docket. The motion must contain: a statement of the particular circumstances and disciplinary rules requiring withdrawal; a certificate of the attorney of record of the client’s name, address, telephone number, and the last known time the information was correct; a copy of a letter from the attorney of record to the client giving notice: (a) that the attorney is withdrawing; (b) that the client is deemed to have knowledge of and is required to abide by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure if the client proceeds pro se; (c) that all notices from the Court to the client's current address will be deemed to have been received unless the client notifies the Court of any change of address; (d) that no continuances or extensions will be granted to the pro se client in order to obtain other counsel; and (e) notice of the hearing at which the motion to withdraw will be considered; and a signed acceptance of the terms of the letter described above, if the client has agreed to the withdrawal. If the client has not agreed to the withdrawal, proof of service of the letter described above must be filed.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
- Must include
- proposed order
All motions and responses must include a proposed order with exact motion title, and each motion must have its own order.
All motions and responses must have a proposed order. The Court may pass hearings on motions filed without a proposed order. All motions should have their own proposed order (Please do not combine multiple motions into one order). The proposed order should include the exact title of the motion being considered. Do not title the order submitted as “proposed”.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Default judgment
- Must include
- proposed order
Default judgments require oral hearing and filing of notice of hearing, Non-Military Affidavit, certificate of last known address, citation/receipt of service, and proposed final judgment order.
An oral hearing is required on all default judgments. For default judgments, Parties must file a notice of an oral hearing, a Non-Military Affidavit compliant with the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, a certificate of last known address, a citation/receipt of service, and a proposed final judgment order.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
- Must include
- certificate of conference
Certificate of conference required for motions, pleas, and special exceptions except summary judgment, default judgments, voluntary dismissal/non-suit, and service of citations motions.
A certificate of conference is required for all motions (including discovery motions), pleas, and special exceptions except for: motions for summary judgment; default judgments; motions for voluntary dismissal or non-suit; and motions involving service of citations. Certificates of conference must state how and when parties have conferred on the matters on which relief is sought, and whether the relief is opposed, agreed, or agreed in part. For all motions which a certification of conference is required, the Court reserves the right to deny all motions that do not have a certificate of conference.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Discovery motion
- Must include
- certificate of conference
Discovery motion must include description of dispute, certificate of conference with details, and copy of discovery requests/responses.
The complaining party should file a motion containing: a brief description of the dispute; a certificate of conference stating the name of all counsel participating in the discussions, including the date, time, and place the parties have had out of-court discovery discussions, and the results of those discussions; and a copy or verbatim reproduction of the discovery requests and responses at issue.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Notice of oral hearing
Party requesting oral hearing must file notice of hearing stating exact motion titles and serve on all parties.
Once the clerk assigns a hearing date the party requesting the hearing must file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsel and self-represented parties. The hearing notice must state the exact title of the motion or motions to be heard.
What must be included with vacation letter filings in Harris County District Courts?
In family cases, a vacation letter must designate another attorney to act in an emergency; that attorney may be called upon to act only with the client’s consent and when the court requires it.
2 more rules answer this question.
What must be included with required documents filings in Harris County District Courts?
If a hearing or trial is reset, each party must reasonably supplement or amend the required documents, no later than 10 days before the new trial date.
What must be included with notice of submission filings in Harris County District Courts?
Harris County District Courts: The notice must state that: 1) the motion will be heard by submission; 2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and 3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.
Judge Nicole V. Perdue: A party setting a matter on the submission docket must file a Notice of Submission listing each motion’s exact title and serve all counsel and self-represented parties.
Judge Bethany Arnold: The submission notice must state that the motion will be heard by submission, parties may not appear in person, and responses must be on file at least 3 days before submission or earlier if required.
7 more rules answer this question.
What must be included with wheel inclusion application filings in Harris County District Courts?
Harris County District Courts: Counsel seeking placement on a wheel must send the application available on the court’s website.
Judge Gloria E. Lopez: Counsel seeking placement on a wheel must send the court website application to Melissa_Love@justex.net.
Judge Lillian Henny Alexander: Counsel seeking placement on an appointment wheel must send the application available on the court’s website to the specified email address.
What must be included with motion filings in Harris County District Courts?
Harris County District Courts: A motion must state Monday at 8:00 a.m. as its written-submission date.
Judge Donna Roth: Certain listed motions are presented to the Judge upon filing without an oral hearing; all other motions must be set for an oral or submission hearing.
Judge Shawn Thierry: The rule requires proposed order. Discovery motions and proposed orders must identify each issue, disputed request, or objection separately.
100 more rules answer this question.
What must be included with trial by default filings in Harris County District Courts?
Harris County District Courts: When the respondent has not answered or appeared, a certificate of last known address and a nonmilitary affidavit or declaration must be on file before trial.
Judge Angela L. Graves-Harrington: If the respondent has not answered or appeared, a certificate of last known address and a nonmilitary affidavit or declaration must be on file before trial.
Judge Bethany Arnold: If the respondent has not answered or appeared, a certificate of last known address and nonmilitary affidavit or declaration must be on file before trial.
2 more rules answer this question.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.