Hays County Courts at Law
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Notice, Motion, Pleading
- 1 copy
Adjournments
- Deadlines may be modified only by a filed written agreement or a court order based on good cause.
- If opposing counsel cannot confer for a Pretrial Hearing, counsel may request a continuance to a date and time agreed upon by counsel.
- If vacation time was not properly designated, the Court may grant a continuance in appropriate circumstances.
- +7 more
Request must include
- A continuance motion must be filed at least three days before the hearing or trial, except that a motion based on facts arising within the three days beforehand may be filed within that period and must be filed as soon as possible.
Communication
Phone
Document Format Requirements13 rules
Any show cause order or other order setting a case presented to a Judge for signature must be in a separate document and not combined with any pleading or motion.
If a party e-files a proposed order, the party must e- file it separately from any motion or other document and email the proposed order to the Court Coordinators in a rich text or Word format.
Administrative Order Requiring Use of Pattern Jury Charges In Criminal Cases
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Use Pattern Jury Charges
All counsel shall paginate all pleadings, orders, and all other documents filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Further, in all pleadings and motions, counsel shall number all paragraphs in those documents for the parties' and the Court's reference.
All counsel shall ensure that all proposed orders contain one of the following date line formats: SIGNED on: SIGNED:
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Include one of these date-line formats: “SIGNED on:” or “SIGNED:”
The proposed order and a complete copy of this Administrative Order MUST BE COMBINED AND FILED AS A SINGLE, UNIFIED DOCUMENT (with the proposed order appearing fust, followed immediately by this Order). Any proposed order submitted separately or without a copy of this Administrative Order attached within the same electronic file will be rejected without consideration.
Billing Increments: Time must be billed in 0.1-hour (10-minute) increments. Minimum 0.25-hour billing increments are prohibited.
Block Billing: Block billing is strictly prohibited; entries combining multiple tasks under a single time entry will be reduced or require an amended filing.
Formatting
- •Block billing is strictly prohibited
The parties shall use the Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charges, as published by the State Bar of Texas, as the starting point for drafting the proposed jury charge.
A proposed order or judgment submitted by email for signature must be in an editable format.
Court's wording
(3) A prevailing party may submit an order or judgment that has been approved as to form to the Court for signature by e-mailing the proposed order or judgment, in an editable format, to the Court Coordinators for the Judge.
Parties must have all documents in final form before approaching the Judge.
Counsel must avoid multi-blank date formats and date blanks in the body of proposed orders; the signing date is the only date left blank, “RENDERED and SIGNED” is acceptable when both actions occur the same day, and the Court may reject other wording or formatting where it supplies a date.
Court's wording
Counsel shall not use multi-blank date formats or include blanks for dates in the body of any Court will sign the order. The only date that shall be left blank in proposed orders is the date on which the and orders either orally in open court or by written memorandum filed with the Clerk and sign judgments and orders after those renditions are reduced to writing. Thus, iRENDERED and SIGNED" is acceptable if both actions are done on the same day. The Court may reject other wording or formatting where the Court is to provide a date.
Document Filing Requirements93 rules
60 days after appointment INVENTORY, APPRAISEMENT, & LIST OF CLAIMS: File as required by Estates Code §§ 309.051-.056 or § 1154.051.
30 days after first answer or appearance REQUIRED INITIAL DISCLOSURES: TRCP 194.2 disclosures due.
- Document
- Initial disclosures
Must include
- •TRCP 194.2 disclosures due.
Per Rule 166 PRETRIAL REQUIREMENTS: Include pending motions, contentions, contested facts/law, stipulations, party/attorney lists, witness lists, remote witness waivers, expert lists, jury charge proposals, marked exhibits, objections, deposition excerpts, scheduling, and motions in limine.
FACT WITNESS LISTS: Exchange with contact info and subject matter.
As per TRCP 194.4 PRETRIAL DISCLOSURES: Filed and provided to all parties.
- Document
- Pretrial disclosures
Include
- •Filed and provided to all parties
1. Annual Reports: Guardians shall timely file annual reports as required by Estates Code § 1163.101.
2. Annual Accounts: Guardians shall timely file annual accounts as required by Estates Code § 1163.001
Certificates of Conference are required for all contested pretrial matters under TRCP 191.2, confirming reasonable efforts to resolve disputes before court intervention.
- Document
- Contested pretrial matter
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Motions for Leave or Objections to remote appearance must show good cause.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants who use AI for legal research or drafting must, before filing or presenting AI-generated information, certify in writing that they verified its accuracy using traditional non-AI legal sources.
- Document
- Court submission
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
All attorneys and self-represented litigants who utilize any form of artificial intelligence (AI) for legal research or drafting in connection with any Case before the Courts shall, before filing or presenting to a Court any AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, certify in writing that the attorney or self-represented litigant verified all information that generative artificial intelligence created or contributed, including all language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis, is accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources.
To designate vacation time, the attorney in charge must file a written notice, serve affected opposing counsel, deliver a copy to the Court Coordinators, and identify the case style and number if docketed and filed.
Court's wording
The attorney in charge of a Case, may designate their claimed vacation time by filing a written notice with the Clerk of the Court and serving a copy on all affected opposing counsel. The attorney must also deliver a copy of this notice to the Court Coordinators and indicate to the Court Coordinators of the respective Court, the Case style and number, if docketed and filed.
A party requiring a licensed Court Appointed Interpreter must note the need in the notice of setting and separately notify the Court Coordinators in writing.
Court's wording
(a) Separate Request to Coordinators. Any party who requires a licensed Court Appointed Interpreter for a court proceeding for either a party or witness shall reflect such need in their notice of setting and separately notify the Court Coordinators in writing of their request.
A proposed notice of setting must estimate the total time for the entire hearing or trial, including reading time and, for jury trials, all specified trial phases.
Court's wording
(2) Contents of Proposed Notice of Setting. Each request for a setting, which a party is to submit to the Court Coordinators as a proposed notice of setting, must include an estimate of the total amount of time required for the entire hearing or trial, on all matters, for all participants, including the time necessary to read any materials presented. For jury trials, the total announced time must include time for consideration of all pretrial motions, voir dire, opening statements, evidence, charge conference, closing argument, and jury deliberation. Also note that a half-day hearing usually includes a break, and a full-day hearing includes breaks in the morning and afternoon as well as a lunch break. Therefore, a half-day hearing generally provides fewer than three hours, and a full-day hearing generally provides fewer than six hours.
A certificate must confirm that the parties attempted to confer about the setting date, time, and hearing duration, but they need not agree; Court Coordinators may set the hearing with the requesting party if agreement is not reached.
- Document
- Hearing setting request
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
(4) Agreement Not Required. The requirement of a certificate of conference confirming that the parties have attempted to confer about the date and time of a setting and time required for the hearing is not a requirement that the parties must agree on the date and time of setting. If a party desiring a setting for a hearing is unable to reach an agreement with the other parties, the Court Coordinators may set a hearing in coordination with the party desiring a hearing.
The Court does not send setting or hearing notices; it sends trial notices only if a party has previously filed a written request.
Court's wording
The Court does not send notices of settings or hearings. Therefore, the Court Coordinators will not send notices of settings or hearings except for notices of trial, but only if a party has previously filed a written request for a notice of trial. TEX. R. CIV. P. 246.
Every notice of setting must include a certificate stating either that the parties conferred in good faith to resolve or narrow the issues or that reasonable efforts to confer were unsuccessful.
- Document
- Notice of setting
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
Every notice of setting must contain a certificate of conference certifying either: CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE I, the undersigned attorney, hereby certify that I conferred with all parties, regarding the relief sought in this motion or request for relief in a good faith effort to resolve or narrow the issues raised in this pleading. OR CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE I, the undersigned attorney, hereby certify that I made reasonable efforts to confer with all parties who may be effect by the relief sought in this motion or pleading but was unable to confer with those parties.
Every notice of setting must include a certificate confirming either that the parties agreed on the setting or that they could not reach agreement despite efforts to confer.
- Document
- Notice of setting
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
Every notice of setting must include a certificate of conference confirming either: NOTICE OF AGREED SETTING AND CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE I, the undersigned attorney, hereby certify that I conferred with all parties, regarding the date and time of this hearing. The parties have agreed that the hearing will be set on [Date] at [Time] and that the time announcement is [amount of time]. OR NOTICE OF SETTING WITHOUT AGREEMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE I, the undersigned attorney, hereby certify that I conferred with all parties, regarding the date and time of this hearing. Despite our efforts, the parties were unable to reach an agreement, necessitating my setting this hearing without agreement on [Date] at [Time] and that the time announcement is [amount of time].
Every notice of setting must identify the matter set, state the time announcement, provide contact details for attorneys and self-represented litigants, state interpreter needs and language, and include both certificates of conference.
Court's wording
All Notices of Setting must include the following: (1) A reference to the specific motion, motions, or requests for relief that is set, or, if the setting is for final trial, a statement that the Case is being set for a final trial on the merits; (2) The time announcement; (3) The telephone numbers for all attorneys and self-represented litigants; (4) The email addresses for all attorneys and self-represented litigants; (5) Whether an interpreter is required and the desired language (for specific information regarding interpreters, please see Chapter 6); and (6) The two certificates of conference as noted in Rule 9.01(c) above;
The written notice of setting must state the hearing or trial date and time and the total time requested for all participants.
Court's wording
The party that obtained a setting for a hearing or trial date must give written notice to all other parties and attorneys of: (A) the hearing or trial date and time, and (B) the total time requested for the entire hearing or trial for all participants
Before requesting a jury-trial setting, the requesting party must file the required written jury-trial request.
Court's wording
Before requesting a setting for a jury trial, the party requesting the jury trial must file the required written request for a jury trial and must pay the jury fee in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 216 and any other applicable law.
(a) Motion Required. Any attorney who wishes to correct clerical mistakes in an order or judgment that a Judge has signed, must file the appropriate Motion with a proposed new order or judgment designated as a “Nunc Pro Tunc” and must obtain the Judge’s signature on that new order or judgment.
Each application for ex parte relief must include a certificate signed by counsel or a party stating one of the listed circumstances.
Court's wording
Every application for ex parte relief shall contain a certificate signed by counsel or a party that: (1) To the best of his or her knowledge the party against whom relief is sought ex parte is not represented by counsel in the Case in which the relief is sought; (2) Counsel for the party against whom relief is sought ex parte has been notified of the application and has stated whether he or she wishes to be heard; or (3) Diligent attempts to notify counsel for the party against whom ex parte relief is sought have been unsuccessful and the circumstances do not permit additional efforts to give notice.
If the proponent cannot obtain approval of the proposed order’s or judgment’s form, the proponent must file a motion to enter it and set the motion for a hearing in the court that rendered it.
Court's wording
(d) Inability to Obtain Approval. If a proponent of the order or judgment is unable to secure the approval of any other attorney or party as to the form of the proposed order or judgment, that proponent must file a motion to enter the proposed order or judgment and set that motion for a hearing in the Court that rendered the order or judgment.
(b) All Signatures Required. Any proposed agreed order or judgment must be signed by all attorneys of record and any self-represented litigants and state that the order or judgment is “Agreed” or “Agreed as to Form and Substance.”
An attorney may not revise or add language to an existing order or judgment to correct clerical mistakes.
Court's wording
(b) Prohibition Against Use of Existing Order. Not under any circumstance whatsoever may an attorney use the existing order or judgment by revising or adding language to the existing order or judgment to correct any clerical mistakes.
An ex parte relief request must include a relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order.
- Document
- Request for ex parte relief
Must include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
Parties seeking ex parte relief from the Court shall e-file a relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order and then contact the Court Coordinators to request that the pleading or motion for ex parte relief be brought to the attention of the Court.
A hearing is required on a motion to substitute attorneys unless it complies with Rule 10 and is filed with the specified consent, service certificate, attorney information, and certification.
- Document
- Motion to substitute attorneys
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
A hearing is required for the Court to rule a motion to substitute attorneys unless the motion complies with Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and is filed with: (1) A written consent to the substitution that all other parties in the action who have appeared have signed; (2) A certificate of service that notifies the withdrawing attorney of the motion to substitute; (3) The substituting attorney’s name, State Bar number; address, telephone number, email address, and, if available, fax number; and (4) A certification that the Court has reduced all of its rulings to writing.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the prevailing party or parties must reduce to writing all orders and judgments that the Court rendered and submit that order or judgment to the Court not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of rendition.
A hearing is required on a motion to withdraw unless it complies with Rule 10 and is filed with the specified consents, client contact information, and certification.
Court's wording
A hearing is required for the Court to rule on a motion to withdraw unless the motion complies with Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and is filed with: (1) A written consent to the withdrawal signed by the withdrawing attorney’s client or clients; (2) A written consent to the withdrawal signed by all other parties in the action who have appeared; (3) A certificate of the last known address of the client or clients, containing those clients’ addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and, if available, fax numbers; and (4) A certification that the Court has reduced all of its rulings to writing.
However, the Clerk will reject any proposed order for which a party has not previously filed a motion requesting the relief stated in the proposed order.
All attorneys of record and any self-represented litigants must approve all orders and judgments as to form and contain full signature blocks for all attorneys of record and any self-represented litigants.
Parties in a contested probate or guardianship matter must agree to a docket control order for court approval within 30 days of the triggering pleading, or the Court will set a hearing.
Court's wording
Within thirty (30) days of the filing of the pleading that first creates a contested probate or guardianship matter, the parties must agree to a docket control order for the Court’s approval. If the parties are unable to agree to such an order or fail to do so by the required date, the Court will set a hearing to enter a docket control order.
The listed probate documents must be e-filed before the party requests a setting on a request for relief.
Court's wording
In addition to complying with the e-filing requirements of Section 9.01(a) of these Rules, before the party requesting a setting on a request for relief, that party must e-file the following: (1) The will and any codicil of the decedent; (2) The death certificate of the decedent, with the social security number redacted; (3) Any proof of publication; (4) Any waivers of citations, consents, or notices; (6) An unexecuted Proof of Death and Other Facts; (7) Any unexecuted Statement of Facts; and (8) All proposed orders and judgments.
An order granting a motion to retain must include the specified docket-control provisions, a trial date, applicable mediation requirements unless an objection is sustained, and any discovery issues raised by a party.
Court's wording
If a Court grants a motion to retain, the Judge will sign an order retaining the case on the Courts’ docket that includes docket control provisions consistent with Rule 165a(1) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, a trial date setting, and any mediation requirements, unless the Court sustains an objection to mediation, and addresses any discovery issues that a party raises.
New counsel retained to replace existing counsel must file a motion to substitute within ten business days, name both attorneys, and include a certificate of service showing notice to prior counsel and the District Attorney’s Office.
- Document
- Motion to substitute counsel
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
(a) Motion to Substitute. If a defendant retains an attorney to replace their existing counsel, then the new counsel must file a motion to substitute counsel within ten (10) business days of being retained, naming both himself or herself and the attorney to be relieved. The motion must include a certificate of service reflecting notice to both previous counsel in the Case and the District Attorney’s Office.
A motion to retain must state the factual and legal basis for retaining the case.
Court's wording
Motions to retain must set forth the factual and legal basis for retaining the Case on the Courts’ dockets and must be filed at least fourteen (14) days prior to the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice of that Docket.
(b) Appointed. An attorney who the Court appoints to represent a defendant need not file a letter of representation but shall file a certificate of contact with the Indigent Defense Counsel Office within ten (10) business days of that attorney’s receiving notice of an appointment.
(a) Retained. The first attorney that a defendant retains shall file a letter of representation with the Clerk of the Court within five (5) business days of the date the defendant retains that attorney.
Before the case is disposed of, counsel seeking to withdraw without substitution must file a written motion with the Clerk and appear before the Court with the defendant to address it.
Court's wording
(a) Written Motion to Withdraw without Substitution; Appearance. If, prior to the disposition of the Case, an appointed or retained counsel has reason to withdraw without substitution, the attorney must file a written motion to withdraw with the Clerk of the Court and appear before the Court with the defendant to address the motion.
Legal counsel for defendants will eliminate the requirement that their client appear at an Arraignment Setting if counsel e-files a waiver of arraignment before the date and time of the setting or presents such waiver to the Court for filing at the setting.
At the conclusion of this hearing, the parties may reset the Case for a Plea & Sentencing Hearing, unless the Court gives its express written approval for a Pretrial Hearing No. 4. Either such hearing shall be by agreement and with notice to the Court Coordinators.
For each pretrial motion, counsel must provide, by a separate document, a proposed order with the proper cause number and style of the Case, unless the Court has given prior approval of the form of the order.
- Document
- Pretrial motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
At the announcement docket held the Tuesday before the week of trial, parties must announce readiness, estimate the full trial’s length, and present a proposed jury charge; failure to submit the charge then does not forfeit later arguments about it.
Court's wording
Beginning in October of 2025, the Tuesday before the week a jury trial is set, the Court presiding over that jury trial will hold an announcement docket at which time the parties will announce whether they are ready for trial and give a time estimate for conducting the entire trial and present to the Court their proposed jury charge. The parties’ failure to submit a charge at this time will not forfeit future arguments by counsel regarding the proper charge.
If the defendant requests a bench trial, counsel for the defendant must file a jury waiver with the Clerk. The defendant must sign and swear to this waiver, and counsel for the defendant must sign and approve this waiver. The prosecutor must likewise sign the waiver if the State intends to waive its right to jury trial or otherwise consent to the defendant’s waiver of jury trial.
Before the Court considers and accepts a guardianship transfer, every proposed guardian must submit a new and current criminal background check and, if applicable, a registry check.
Court's wording
In any case in which a party requests the transfer of a guardianship into the jurisdiction of Hays County, Texas, all proposed guardians must submit to the Courts a new and current criminal background check and, if applicable, a registry check as required under Sections 1104.351 - .354 of the Texas Estates Code before the Court's consideration and acceptance of the transfer.
A new and current criminal background check must be filed for every proposed guardian in a transferred guardianship, even if the transferring court already completed one.
Court's wording
In all cases involving the transfer of a guardianship into the County Courts at Law of Hays County from another county or jurisdiction, the Courts require the filing of a new and current criminal background check for any proposed guardian of the person or estate, regardless of whether a background check was previously completed in the transferring court.
The background check must comply with the Texas Estates Code and be submitted within the time set by order.
Court's wording
The background check shall be obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Estates Code and submitted to the Court within the time specified by order, and no guardianship shall be accepted, confirmed, or letters issued until compliance with this requirement is established.
The Court will not approve letters or finalize a transfer until it receives and reviews satisfactory background-check results.
Court's wording
The Courts will not approve the issuance of any letters of guardianship, and the Courts will not finalize any transfer until the Court has received and reviewed results from the background checks and found those results to be satisfactory.
The AI disclosure must appear immediately before the signature block and use substantially the prescribed certification wording.
- Document
- Filed document
- Placement
- Signature block
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
2. Placement and Form of Disclosure. The disclosure must appear immediately preceding the signature block of the filed document in substantially the following form: ' Pursuant to the Hays County Courts at Law Administrative Order Regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Filings, the undersigned attorney/filer certifies that generative artificial intelligence was utilized in the preparation of this document. The undersigned attorney/filer further certifies that every citation, factual representation, quotation, and statutory reference generated with Al assistance has been independently verified for accuracy, authenticity, and applicability by human review."
An AI-assisted motion, brief, response, objection, inventory, account, proposed order, or other legal instrument must include a prominent AI Disclosure Statement.
- Document
- AI assisted legal instrument
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
1. Mandatory Disclosure of AI Assistance. Any motion, brief, response, objection, inventory, account, proposed order, or other legal instrument submitted to the Court that was drafted, composed, or generated in whole or in part using generative artificial intelligence or automated natural language drafting tools must include a prominent AI Disclosure Statement.
Proposed guardians in transferred guardianship cases must submit a current criminal background check and, if applicable, a registry check before the Court accepts the transfer.
Court's wording
It is hereby ORDERED that, effective immediately, in any case involving the transfer of a guardianship into this jurisdiction, all proposed guardians, shall be required to submit to a new and current criminal background check and, if applicable, a registry check as required under Texas Estates Code §§ 1104.351-1104.354, prior to the Court's acceptance of the transfer.
No letters of guardianship shall be issued and no transfer shall be finalized until the Court has received and reviewed satisfactory results from the background checks.
A proposed order must be designated in the electronic filing system by a precise title describing the relief sought.
Court's wording
The proposed order must be properly designated in the electronic filing system using the precise document title describing the relief sought (e.g., "Proposed Order Admitting Will to Probate and for Letters Testamentary," "Proposed Order Determining Heirship," or "Proposed Order Appointing Guardian of the Person").
A copy of this Administrative Order SHALL BE ATTACHED to every request, motion, or application for a remote hearing submitted a Court as an explicit acknowledgement of the prohibition against unauthorized recording of these proceedings.
Every request, motion, setting request, or application for a remote hearing must include a copy of this Administrative Order.
Court's wording
A copy of this Administrative Order SHALL BE ATTACHED to every request, motion, setting request, or application for a remote hearing submitted to the Court as an explicit acknowledgement of the prohibition against unauthorized recording.
A copy of this Administrative Order SHALL BE ATTACHED to every proposed order submitted to the Court for consideration and signature.
Have the signature of the prevailing party's counsel that the proposed order is approved as to form and substance, as well as the signature of the non-prevailing party that the proposed order is approved as to form.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The mediator must file the mediation letter electronically.
By mediation deadline ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Mediation to be completed; mediator to e-file letter.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
A party must e-file the motion, petition, or request for relief before obtaining a setting to be heard on it.
(a) Before Requesting a Setting. The party requesting a setting must e-file the motion, petition, or request for relief on which the party requests to be heard before the party can obtain a setting on that request for relief.
Page 14 | 9.01 Prerequisites for Requesting a Setting
The party obtaining a hearing or trial setting must electronically file the required notice with the Clerk of the Court.
The party that obtained a setting for a hearing or trial date must give written notice to all other parties and attorneys of: (A) the hearing or trial date and time, and (B) the total time requested for the entire hearing or trial for all participants and e-file that notice with the Clerk of the Court.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(b)(2)
Parties seeking ex parte relief must e-file a relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order.
Parties seeking ex parte relief from the Court shall e-file a relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order and then contact the Court Coordinators to request that the pleading or motion for ex parte relief be brought to the attention of the Court.
Page 21 | 12.03 Filings
If a party e-files a proposed order, it must be filed separately from other documents and emailed to the Court Coordinators in rich text or Word format.
If a party e-files a proposed order, the party must e- file it separately from any motion or other document and email the proposed order to the Court Coordinators in a rich text or Word format.
Page 22 | 14.01 Proposed Orders
Before requesting a setting on probate relief, the party must e-file the listed documents, including a death certificate with the social security number redacted.
In addition to complying with the e-filing requirements of Section 9.01(a) of these Rules, before the party requesting a setting on a request for relief, that party must e-file the following: (1) The will and any codicil of the decedent; (2) The death certificate of the decedent, with the social security number redacted; (3) Any proof of publication; (4) Any waivers of citations, consents, or notices; (6) An unexecuted Proof of Death and Other Facts; (7) Any unexecuted Statement of Facts; and (8) All proposed orders and judgments.
Page 25 | 20.01 Prerequisites for Obtaining a Setting for a Probate Case
Each proposed order must be filed as a stand-alone document in its own electronic filing envelope.
Every Proposed Order submitted for the Court's consideration must be filed as a stand-alone document in a separate electronic filing (e-filing) envelope.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Mandatory Separate Envelope Requirement
The mediator must e-file a letter.
mediator to e-file letter.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
The parties may submit agreed orders and judgments for signature by e-filing and emailing them to the Court Coordinators.
(a) Submission. The parties may submit agreed orders and judgments to the Court for signature by e-filing and e-mailing the proposed orders and judgments to the Court Coordinators, whose email address is available on the County Courts at Law’s website.
Page 21 | 14.03(a) Submission
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Parties seeking affirmative relief must designate experts 90 days before the end of discovery under TRCP 195.2(a).
EXPERT DESIGNATIONS: Parties seeking matters affirmative relief - 90 days before end of discovery (TRCP 195.2(a)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
TRCP 194.2 initial disclosures are due 30 days after the first answer or appearance.
30 days after first answer or appearance REQUIRED INITIAL DISCLOSURES: TRCP 194.2 disclosures due.
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
The inventory, appraisement, and list of claims must be filed within 60 days after appointment as required by the cited Estates Code provisions.
60 days after appointment INVENTORY, APPRAISEMENT, & LIST OF CLAIMS: File as required by Estates Code §§ 309.051-.056 or § 1154.051.
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
All other experts must be designated 60 days before the end of discovery under TRCP 195.2(b).
60 days before end of discovery EXPERT DESIGNATIONS: All other experts - TRCP 195.2(b).
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
The schedule sets a 90-day-after-initial-hearing deadline in contested matters for the associated expert-designation activity.
90 days after initial hearing in contested matters
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
Fact witness lists must be exchanged 45 days before trial and include contact information and subject matter.
45 days before trial FACT WITNESS LISTS: Exchange with contact info and subject matter.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
All motions challenging expert testimony must be heard by the expert challenge deadline.
By expert challenge deadline CHALLENGES TO EXPERT TESTIMONY: All motions heard by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
TRCP 194.2(f)(4) expert reports are due 60 days before trial.
60 days before trial EXPERT REPORTS: TRCP 194.2(f)(4) reports due.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
No-evidence summary judgment motions follow discovery, and all dispositive motions must be heard by the dispositive motion deadline.
By dispositive motion deadline DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS: No-evidence SJ after discovery; all dispositive motions heard by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
All discovery must be completed by the end of the discovery period, and incomplete discovery will not delay trial.
End of discovery period DISCOVERY DEADLINE: All discovery completed; incomplete discovery will not delay trial.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
Mediation must be completed by the mediation deadline, and the mediator must e-file a letter by that deadline.
By mediation deadline ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Mediation to be completed; mediator to e-file letter.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
Amendments and supplements must be filed by the pleadings deadline; prompt filings to timely pleadings are allowed.
By pleadings deadline PLEADINGS: All amendments and supplements filed; prompt filings to timely pleadings allowed.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
In contested capacity matters, updated medical or psychological evaluations must be filed at least 45 days before trial.
3. Medical/Psychological Evaluations: In contested capacity matters, updated evaluations shall be filed at least 45 days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 3 | II. ADDITIONAL PROBATE/GUARDIANSHIP REQUIREMENTS
The attorney in charge must file the vacation notice at least 90 days before the designated vacation period, and the notice applies only to cases not already scheduled for a hearing or trial.
The attorney in charge of the Case must file this notice at least ninety (90) days in advance of each designated period of vacation, and such notice shall apply only to cases not already scheduled for a hearing or trial.
Page 9 | 3.01(c) Timeliness of Notice
The required e-filing must occur before the party can obtain a setting on the request for relief.
(a) Before Requesting a Setting. The party requesting a setting must e-file the motion, petition, or request for relief on which the party requests to be heard before the party can obtain a setting on that request for relief.
Page 14 | 9.01 Prerequisites for Requesting a Setting
For the three-day notice required by Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted unless notice is given by mail; notice for a Monday motion hearing must be given by Wednesday.
Consistent with Rules 4, 21, and 21a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the Courts will not count Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays when calculating the three-day notice required by Rule 21 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, except when notice has been given by mail. Accordingly, a party must give notice by Wednesday for a motion hearing set on Monday.
Page 18 | Chapter 10, Computation of Time
The parties must submit a copy of the Mediator’s report to the Court Coordinators on the day it is filed with the Clerk.
(2) The parties must also submit a copy of the Mediator’s report to the Court Coordinators on the same day it is filed with the Clerk.
Page 22 | 16.03(c)(2) Deadline for Filing Mediator’s Report
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the prevailing party must reduce rendered orders and judgments to writing and submit them within 14 days of rendition.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the prevailing party or parties must reduce to writing all orders and judgments that the Court rendered and submit that order or judgment to the Court not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of rendition.
Page 22 | 14.02 Entry of Orders After Rendition
The parties must ensure that the Mediator’s report is filed with the Clerk no later than 30 days before the first day set for trial.
(1) The parties are responsible for ensuring that the Mediator’s report is filed with the Clerk not later than thirty (30) days before the first day set for trial.
Page 22 | 16.03(c)(1) Deadline for Filing Mediator’s Report
A party receiving notice of a motion to retain must file any objection to mediation at least 7 days before the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice.
Parties receiving notice of a motion to retain must file any objection to mediation at least seven (7) days prior to the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice of that Docket.
Page 26 | 18.06 Objection to Mediation
A party filing a motion to retain must file any objection to mediation at the same time.
Parties filing motions to retain must file any objection to mediation simultaneously with a motion to retain.
Page 26 | 18.06 Objection to Mediation
An objection to a motion to retain must be filed at least 7 days before the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice.
Any objection to a motion to retain must be filed at least seven (7) days prior to the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice of that Docket.
Page 26 | 18.05 Motions to Retain and Objections to Motions to Retain
The first retained attorney must file the letter of representation within five business days after retention.
(a) Retained. The first attorney that a defendant retains shall file a letter of representation with the Clerk of the Court within five (5) business days of the date the defendant retains that attorney.
Page 26 | 21.02 First Attorney Retained or Appointed
A motion to retain must be filed at least 14 days before the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice.
Motions to retain must set forth the factual and legal basis for retaining the Case on the Courts’ dockets and must be filed at least fourteen (14) days prior to the DWOP Docket date specified in the notice of that Docket.
Page 26 | 18.05 Motions to Retain and Objections to Motions to Retain
Appointed counsel must file a certificate of contact within ten business days after receiving notice of appointment.
(b) Appointed. An attorney who the Court appoints to represent a defendant need not file a letter of representation but shall file a certificate of contact with the Indigent Defense Counsel Office within ten (10) business days of that attorney’s receiving notice of an appointment.
Page 26 | 21.02 First Attorney Retained or Appointed
The motion to substitute must be filed within ten business days after new counsel is retained.
(a) Motion to Substitute. If a defendant retains an attorney to replace their existing counsel, then the new counsel must file a motion to substitute counsel within ten (10) business days of being retained, naming both himself or herself and the attorney to be relieved. The motion must include a certificate of service reflecting notice to both previous counsel in the Case and the District Attorney’s Office.
Page 26 | 21.04 Substitution of Attorney
A waiver of arraignment must be e-filed before the setting or presented to the Court for filing at the setting to eliminate the client's appearance requirement.
Legal counsel for defendants will eliminate the requirement that their client appear at an Arraignment Setting if counsel e-files a waiver of arraignment before the date and time of the setting or presents such waiver to the Court for filing at the setting.
Page 29 | 23.01 Arraignment Setting
The background check must be submitted to the Court within the time specified by order.
The background check shall be obtained in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Estates Code and submitted to the Court within the time specified by order, and no guardianship shall be accepted, confirmed, or letters issued until compliance with this requirement is established.
Civil cases
Page 1
Dispositive motions and pleas must be filed 63 days before the initial trial setting unless the Court orders otherwise.
A. Dispositive Motions & Pleas: (63 days before initial trial setting) All motions and pleas that, if the Court grants, would dispose of all or part of the case shall be filed by this date, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — A. Dispositive Motions & Pleas
The parties must exchange proposed stipulated facts, confer in good faith, prepare the joint statement, and file it with the Clerk by 49 days before the initial trial setting.
B. Proposed Stipulated Facts: (49 days before initial trial setting) The parties will exchange proposed stipulated facts and confer in good faith to prepare a Joint Statement of Stipulated Facts, by this date and file this with the Clerk of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — B. Proposed Stipulated Facts
Any challenges to experts must be filed 42 days before the initial trial setting.
E. Challenges to Experts: (42 days before initial trial setting) The parties are to file any challenges to experts by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — E. Challenges to Experts
The parties must supplement and file agreed stipulations and propose any agreed schedule changes by 30 days before the initial trial setting.
F. Filing of Stipulated Facts & Contested Issues, Schedule Change: (30 days before initial trial setting) The parties are to supplement any agreed stipulations and file them with the Court and are to propose any agreed schedule changes, if any, by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — F. Filing of Stipulated Facts & Contested Issues, Schedule Change
Each party must respond to the other party’s disputed-fact list with reasons for each disagreement by 45 days before the initial trial setting.
C. Responses to Contested Issues: (45 days before initial trial setting) Each party will respond with the reasons that the party did not agree on each disputed fact on the other party's list of disputed facts by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — C. Responses to Contested Issues
The parties must cooperate in completing the Court-ordered ADR procedure, including mediation, by 45 days before the initial trial setting.
D. Alternative Dispute Resolution: (45 days before initial trial setting) The parties will cooperate in completing an ADR procedure, under the terms and conditions that the Court orders. Any such procedure, including mediation, will be completed by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — D. Alternative Dispute Resolution
By 21 days before the initial trial setting, each party must provide the Court and other parties its trial exhibits, exhibit list, deposition designations, and ordered witness list with direct-testimony time estimates, subject to the stated impeachment and rebuttal exceptions.
G. Pre-Trial Exchange: (21 days before initial trial setting) The parties are to provide the Court and all other parties, with: 1. Exhibits that the party intends to offer at trial with exhibit numbers (except for exhibits that a party may use for impeachment or rebuttal); 2. Exhibits list cross-referenced to each exhibit with a description of the exhibit; 3. Deposition excerpts (the party will identify each deposition that the party intends to offer at trial, by video or otherwise, and designate the page and line numbers of those portions the party intends to offer at trial), and 4. A list of the witnesses that the party intends to call at trial (except for witnesses that a party may use for impeachment or rebuttal) in the order in which the party intends to call those witnesses and an estimate of time for each witness' direct testimony.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — G. Pre-Trial Exchange
Responses to other motions are due no later than 11 days before trial.
H. Other Motions: (14 days before trial, responses no later than 11 days before trial) Responses are due no later than 11 days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — H. Other Motions
H. Other Motions: (14 days before trial, responses no later than 11 days before trial) All parties will file all other motions, including any motions in limine, objections to evidence, or motions to exclude evidence by this date.
H. Other Motions: (14 days before trial, responses no later than 11 days before trial) All parties will file all other motions, including any motions in limine, objections to evidence, or motions to exclude evidence by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — H. Other Motions
Initial disclosures under TRCP 194.2 are due 30 days after the first answer or appearance.
30 days after first answer or appearance REQUIRED INITIAL DISCLOSURES: TRCP 194.2 disclosures due.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Parties seeking affirmative relief must designate experts 90 days before the end of discovery.
Parties seeking affirmative relief - 90 days before end of discoverv (TRCP 195.2(a)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Interested persons must be served by the initial hearing or within 30 days thereafter.
At initial hearing or 30 days thereafter SERVICE & JOINDER: All interested persons must be served as required by the Texas Estates Code.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
90 days after initial hearing in contested EXPERT DESIGNATIONS: Parties seeking matters affirmative relief - 90 days before end of discoverv (TRCP 195.2(a)).
90 days after initial hearing in contested EXPERT DESIGNATIONS: Parties seeking matters affirmative relief - 90 days before end of discoverv (TRCP 195.2(a)).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Within 30 days of appointment as guardian, the guardian must complete training, take the oath, and post bond as required.
Within 3 0 days ofappointment as guardian GUARDIANSHIP TRAINING & OATH/BOND: Complete training, take oath, and oost bond as required.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Fact witness lists must be exchanged 45 days before trial and include contact information and subject matter.
45 days before trial FACT WITNESS LISTS: Exchange with contact info and subject matter.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Expert reports under TRCP 194.2(f)(4) are due 60 days before trial.
60 days before trial EXPERT REPORTS: TRCP 194.2(f)(4) reports due.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
All other expert designations are due 60 days before the end of discovery.
60 days before the end of discovery EXPERT DESIGNATIONS: All other experts -TRCP 195.2(b).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
The inventory, appraisal, and list of claims must be filed within 60 days after appointment, as required by the cited Estates Code provisions.
60 days after appointment INVENTORY, APRAISMENT, & LIST OF CLAIMS: File as required by Estates Code &&309.051-.056 or &1154.051.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Mediation must be completed by the mediation deadline.
By mediation deadline ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Mediation to be completed; mediator to e-file letter.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
In contested capacity matters, updated medical or psychological evaluations must be filed at least 45 days before trial.
c) Medical/Psychological Evaluations: In contested capacity matters, updated evaluations shall be filed at least 45 days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Additional Probate & Guardianship Requirements
No-evidence summary judgment motions follow discovery, and all dispositive motions must be heard by the dispositive motion deadline.
By dispositive motion deadline DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS: No-evidence SJ after discovery; all dispositive motions heard by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
All discovery must be completed by the end of the discovery period; incomplete discovery will not delay trial.
End of discovery period DISCOVERY DEADLINE: All discovery completed; incomplete discovery will not delay trial.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
All motions challenging expert testimony must be heard by the expert challenge deadline.
By expert challenge deadline CHALLENGES TO EXPERT TESTIMONY: All motions heard by this date.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
All amendments and supplements must be filed by the pleadings deadline, and prompt filings to timely pleadings are allowed.
By pleadings deadline PLEADINGS: All amendments and supplements filed; prompt filings to timely pleadings allowed.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
Proposed charges must be submitted by the morning of the last day of trial, unless otherwise ordered.
Proposed charges (including any deviation from pattern language) shall be submitted to the Court no later than the morning of the last day of trial unless otherwise ordered.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Administrative Order Requiring Use of Pattern Jury Charges in Criminal Cases
For emergency relief when filing an application or case beforehand is impossible, the Court may allow the request for relief to be filed with the Clerk during or immediately after its consideration.
(b) Emergency Setting. If a party is seeking emergency relief, and it is impossible to file an application or case before the party can present the matter to a judge, the Court may allow the party to file its request for relief with the Clerk of the Court during the Court’s consideration of the request or immediately after the Court acts.
Page 14 | 9.01 Prerequisites for Requesting a Setting
The two-week trial docket begins on the trial docket date; if the case is not assigned by the second Friday, it may be reset.
Trial docket date TWO-WEEK TRIAL DOCKET: Begins this date; if not assigned by second Friday, case may be reset.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Interested persons must be served as required by the Texas Estates Code, and the applicant must provide this Order with service by the stated schedule deadline.
At initial hearing or 30 days thereafter SERVICE & JOINDER: All interested persons must be served as required by the Texas Estates Code. Applicant must provide a copy of this Order with service.
Civil cases
Page 1 | I. SCHEDULE
Pretrial disclosures must be provided to all parties.
As per TRCP 194.4 PRETRIAL DISCLOSURES: Filed and provided to all parties.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. SCHEDULE
The executor or administrator must notify interested persons of the intent to close the estate as required.
4. Notice of Final Settlement: Executor/administrator shall notify interested persons of intent to close estate as required.
Civil cases
Page 3 | II. ADDITIONAL PROBATE/GUARDIANSHIP REQUIREMENTS
The vacation notice must be served on all affected opposing counsel; the source does not specify a service method.
The attorney in charge of a Case, may designate their claimed vacation time by filing a written notice with the Clerk of the Court and serving a copy on all affected opposing counsel.
Page 9 | 3.01(b) Designating, Giving Notice of, and Claiming Vacation Time
For a continuance motion filed under the within-three-days exception, the moving party must notify the Court either by serving the motion through the electronic filing manager or by emailing an e-file-stamped copy to the Court Coordinators and copying all other parties.
(B) The moving party must notify the Court of the filing in one of the following ways: (i) serve the motion on the Court through the electronic filing manager, or (ii) email an e-file-stamped copy of the motion to the Court Coordinators, copying all other parties on the email.
Page 17 | 9.04(a)(2)(B)
The party obtaining a hearing or trial setting must give all other parties and attorneys written notice of the date, time, and total requested time, following the manner and timing in the cited Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
The party that obtained a setting for a hearing or trial date must give written notice to all other parties and attorneys of: (A) the hearing or trial date and time, and (B) the total time requested for the entire hearing or trial for all participants and e-file that notice with the Clerk of the Court. The party giving this notice must do so in the manner and within the time provided in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Rules 21, 21a, 166a).
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(b)(2)-(3)
For an emergency-relief application where the opposing party is represented, movant's counsel must give opposing counsel advance notice of the intended presentation's date, time, and place unless the Court directs otherwise.
When a party seeks a hearing or a signed order on an application requesting emergency relief, including applications for a restraining order, temporary administration, temporary guardianship, or emergency receivership and the party against whom relief is sought is represented by an attorney, movant’s counsel must give that attorney advance notice that the movant intends to present the application to the Court at a given date, time, and place, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(f)
The motion to substitute must include a certificate showing notice to both previous counsel and the District Attorney’s Office.
(a) Motion to Substitute. If a defendant retains an attorney to replace their existing counsel, then the new counsel must file a motion to substitute counsel within ten (10) business days of being retained, naming both himself or herself and the attorney to be relieved. The motion must include a certificate of service reflecting notice to both previous counsel in the Case and the District Attorney’s Office.
Page 26 | 21.04 Substitution of Attorney
If the defendant does not agree to withdrawal without substitution, the Court may hear the motion at the next setting or another designated time only after the defendant receives notice to appear; certified mail with return receipt requested to the defendant’s last known address may show adequate notice.
(b) Hearing and Notice. If the defendant does not agree to the withdrawal an attorney without substitution, then a Court will hear this motion at the next setting in the Case or at any time the Court designates but only after the defendant is provided notice to appear. Adequate notice of the motion to withdraw may be shown by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the defendant.
Page 26 | 21.03 Withdrawal Without Substitution
In criminal cases, requests to the Court must be served on opposing counsel by e-service at least three days before consideration, unless the Court shortens the time or opposing counsel waives it.
Parties in a criminal case must serve any request to the Court on opposing counsel through e-service not less than three (3) days before the Court is set to consider the request unless the Court shortens the time requirement, or the opposing counsel waives the time requirement.
Page 33 | Chapter 27 — Service of Pleadings
Attorneys will email all exhibits to be offered during a remote hearing to opposing counsel and the Court Coordinator no later than 24 hours before that hearing, or as soon as practicable.
Attorneys will email all exhibits to be offered during a remote hearing to opposing counsel and the Court Coordinator no later than 24 hours before that hearing, or as soon as practicable.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Exhibits
At least 15 minutes before the hearing, parties must exchange with the opposing party copies of all exhibits they intend to offer and be prepared to share a complete set.
2. All parties must appear no less than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled hearing time to allow time for the pre-marking of exhibits with the court reporter. At that time, parties must exchange copies of all exhibits they intend to offer into evidence during the hearing. Therefore, each party must be prepared to share a complete set of their exhibits with the opposing party.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Marking and Exchange of Exhibits
All parties must receive notice of the hearing’s date, time, and place at least three days before the hearing.
While the County Clerk must send notice of eviction hearings set before the Courts, all parties must receive at least three (3) days' notice of the date, time, and place of their hearing as required under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 21(b).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Notice
The parties must exchange proposed stipulated facts with one another.
The parties will exchange proposed stipulated facts
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — B. Proposed Stipulated Facts
The required pre-trial exchange materials must be provided to the Court and all other parties.
The parties are to provide the Court and all other parties, with:
Civil cases
Page 2 | 2. Required Deadlines & Filings — G. Pre-Trial Exchange
Interested persons must be served as required by the Texas Estates Code, and the Applicant must include a copy of the Order with service.
All interested persons must be served as required by the Texas Estates Code. A pplicant must provide a copy of this Order with service.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Schedule
Pretrial disclosures must be provided to all parties.
PRETRIAL DISCLOSURES: Filed and provided to all parties.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Schedule
Executors and administrators must notify interested persons of their intent to close the estate as required.
d) Notice of Final Settlement: Executor(s)/Administrator(s) shall notify interested persons of intent to close estate as required.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Additional Probate & Guardianship Requirements
Attorneys will email all exhibits to be offered during a remote hearing to opposing counsel and the Court Coordinator no later than 24 hours before that hearing, or as soon as practicable.
Attorneys will email all exhibits to be offered during a remote hearing to opposing counsel and the Court Coordinator no later than 24 hours before that hearing, or as soon as practicable.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Plan for Remotely Conducted Detention Hearings
The party should send the notice on the day it obtains the setting; an opposing party may argue that delay is a basis for continuance.
The party should send this notice on the same day the party obtains the setting, for an opposing party may argue that any delay in sending this notice serves as a basis for continuance.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(b)(4)
Therefore, it is incumbent on the party requesting relief from the Court to confirm that the opposing party has received notice of the hearing. It is in the best interests of the party requesting relief to make reasonable efforts to ensure service of proper notice including, if necessary, personal service or requesting substituted service.
Therefore, it is incumbent on the party requesting relief from the Court to confirm that the opposing party has received notice of the hearing. It is in the best interests of the party requesting relief to make reasonable efforts to ensure service of proper notice including, if necessary, personal service or requesting substituted service.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Notice
Filing Fees and Waivers
The Court will not set a jury trial date unless a jury-trial request and fee are filed, except when the requesting party files an affidavit stating inability to pay.
(B) The Court will not set a jury trial date until a party has filed a request for a jury trial and paid the jury fee (unless the party requesting the jury trial has filed an affidavit that the party is unable to pay the jury fee).
Page 17 | 9.02
The party requesting a jury trial must pay the jury fee before requesting a jury-trial setting, as required by the cited rules and applicable law.
Before requesting a setting for a jury trial, the party requesting the jury trial must file the required written request for a jury trial and must pay the jury fee in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 216 and any other applicable law.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(g)(1)(A)
Effective August 1, 2025, each applicant in a case requiring an attorney ad litem must deposit $600.00 into the County Clerk Registry, with any excess refunded and any additional fee addressed by court order.
It is therefore ORDERED that effective August 1, 2025, each applicant in a case filed in Hays County, County Court at Law Court No. 3 that requires the appointment of an attorney ad litem will be required to deposit, into the County Clerk Registry, $600.00 toward the services of the attorney ad litem. If the Court orders payment of less than $600.00, the excess will be refunded to the applicant. If the Court orders payment of more than $600.00, the order will indicate how the additional fee will be paid.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Order Setting Ad Litem Deposit at $600.00
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A party must deliver one copy to the Court Coordinators of each notice, motion, or pleading that this Chapter requires the party to file with the Clerk.
A party must deliver to the office of the Court Coordinators a copy of all notices, motions, and pleadings that this Chapter requires the party to file with the Clerk of the Court.
Page 25 | 18.02 Copies to Court Coordinators
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
The Court Visitor must keep information gathered during visits and interviews confidential and disclose it only to the Court.
The Guardianship Staff Attorney, in their capacity as Court Visitor, shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information gathered during visits and interviews. The Guardianship Staff Attorney as Court Visitor shall disclose such information only to the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Confidentiality & Privacy
Filers must redact sensitive personal information from all filings, including proposed orders and attached exhibits, and non-compliant filings may be rejected by the Clerk.
All filings, including Proposed Orders and any attached exhibits, must strictly comply with TRCP Rule 21c. Filers are ordered to redact all sensitive data, including but not limited to Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers, and birth dates of living individuals. Non-compliant filings are subject to rejection by the Clerk.
Civil cases
Page 2 | 3. Redaction and Compliance Standards
When the Court signs an order granting nondisclosure, the Clerk must immediately seal the civil case file in the same manner as the underlying criminal case.
However, upon the Court's signing an order granting nondisclosure, the Clerk shall immediately seal the civil case file in the same manner as the underlying criminal case.
Page 1 | Filing Procedures
When a nondisclosure petition is granted, the Clerk must seal both the underlying criminal-case records and the civil nondisclosure proceeding.
Upon a Court's granting of a petition for nondisclosure, the Clerk of the Court shall seal not only the records of the underlying criminal case but also the civil nondisclosure proceedings itself.
Page 1 | Sealing of Civil Nondisclosure Files
Sealed nondisclosure case files and related records must be withheld from public inspection while remaining accessible to the Court, the Clerk, and statutorily authorized entities.
Once sealed, the Clerk shall not make the case file, docket entries, and related records of the nondisclosure proceeding available for public inspection but shall keep those items accessible to the Court, the Clerk, and other entities expressly authorized by the applicable statute.
Page 1 | Access Restrictions
Anyone receiving information under the order may use or disclose it only as consistent with the authorized purpose for which it was obtained.
Any person who receives any medical, mental health, or intellectual/developmental disability information pursuant to this Order is prohibited from using or further disclosing such information except to the extent that the use or disclosure is consistent with the authorized purpose for which the person first obtained the information.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Accessibility of Mental Health Records for Parties to Criminal Cases
Filing Bundling Requirements
A proposed order must not be combined in the same PDF with related filings or submitted in the initiating pleading's electronic filing envelope.
Proposed Orders must NOT be combined into the same PDF file as the underlying application, motion, or supporting exhibit, nor submitted within the same electronic filing envelope as the initiating pleading.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Mandatory Separate Envelope Requirement
A proposed order and a complete copy of this Administrative Order must be combined and filed as one document, with the proposed order first; separate submissions will be rejected.
The proposed order and a complete copy of this Administrative Order MUST BE COMBINED AND FILED AS A SINGLE, UNIFIED DOCUMENT (with the proposed order appearing first, followed immediately by this Order). Any proposed order submitted separately or without a copy of this Administrative Order attached within the same electronic file will be rejected without consideration.
Page 2 | 4. Mandatory Attachment to All Proposed Orders as a Single Document
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
After obtaining at least three possible dates and times and before requesting a specific hearing setting, the requesting party must make reasonable efforts to confer about scheduling, hearing duration, and the motion’s substance.
(1) Reasonable Efforts to Confer. After obtaining three or more possible dates and times from the Court Coordinators but prior to requesting that the Court Coordinators set a specific request for relief for a hearing (including a trial) at a particular date and time, the requesting party must make reasonable efforts to speak to or confer with the other party or parties, including any pro se party and any appointed attorney ad litem or guardian ad litem, regarding: (A) The date and time of the hearing, (B) The time needed for the entire hearing for all participants, so that the time estimate the party must include in the hearing request is as accurate as possible, and (C) The substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention.
Page 14 | 9.01 Prerequisites for Requesting a Setting
The parties need not agree on the hearing setting, and Court Coordinators may set a hearing in coordination with the requesting party if agreement cannot be reached.
(4) Agreement Not Required. The requirement of a certificate of conference confirming that the parties have attempted to confer about the date and time of a setting and time required for the hearing is not a requirement that the parties must agree on the date and time of setting. If a party desiring a setting for a hearing is unable to reach an agreement with the other parties, the Court Coordinators may set a hearing in coordination with the party desiring a hearing.
Page 14 | 9.01 Prerequisites for Requesting a Setting
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Deadlines may be modified only by a filed written agreement or a court order based on good cause.
Deadlines may be modified only by written agreement filed with the Court or by Court order upon a showing of good cause.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Administrative Docket Control Order
A continuance motion must be filed at least three days before the hearing or trial, except that a motion based on facts arising within the three days beforehand may be filed within that period and must be filed as soon as possible.
(1) General Rule. A party moving for a continuance of a hearing or trial must file its motion at least three days before the hearing or trial date unless the motion is based on facts that occur on or after the third day before the hearing or trial date. (2) Exception. A party may file a motion for continuance within three days of the hearing or trial, if that motion is based on facts that occurred within three days before the hearing or trial date: (A) The moving party must file the motion for continuance as soon as possible.
Page 17 | 9.04(a)
By agreement, the parties may seek a continuance of a trial setting by filing an agreed motion with the Clerk and notifying the Court Coordinators in writing.
By agreement, the parties may request the continuance of a trial setting by filing an agreed motion for continuance with the Clerk of the Court and advising the Court Coordinators in writing of the agreed continuance.
Page 29 | 22.02 Continuance of Trial Setting
A Plea & Sentencing Hearing may be continued only with the Court’s written approval.
The Court must give its written approval for the continuance of a Plea & Sentencing Hearing.
Page 31 | Plea & Sentencing Hearing
If vacation time was not properly designated, the Court may grant a continuance in appropriate circumstances.
If an attorney does not properly designate a period of vacation in accordance with these Local Rules, the Court maintains the discretion to grant a motion for continuance in appropriate circumstances.
Page 10 | 3.03 Continuance
Proceedings will not be delayed or continued solely to accommodate recording, broadcasting, or photographing.
(a) Prohibition. Proceedings or sessions will not be delayed or continued for the sole purpose of allowing recording, broadcasting, or photographing, whether because of installation of equipment, obtaining consent, conduct of the proceeding related to the recording, broadcasting, or photographing, or other questions.
Page 13 | 7.06 Cannot Delay Proceedings
Parties may not agree to pass a setting in a case retained on the Court’s docket after a dismissal-for-want-of-prosecution notice.
The parties must notify the Court Coordinators of an agreement to pass a setting as soon as possible. However, parties cannot agree to pass a setting for a case that was retained on the Court’s docket following a dismissal for want of prosecution notice.
Page 17 | 9.04(b)
The Court may reschedule a matter if it determines that the matter cannot reasonably be heard within the announced time.
The Court has the discretion to reschedule any matter that the Court determines cannot reasonably be heard within the announced time.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(d)
If opposing counsel cannot confer for a Pretrial Hearing, counsel may request a continuance to a date and time agreed upon by counsel.
If opposing counsel are unable to confer for the purposes of Pretrial Hearings Nos. 1 through 4, then counsel may request that the Court continue the Pretrial Hearing of the particular number or type to an agreed upon date and time.
Page 30 | 23.02(e) Continuance of Pretrial Hearing
An unrepresented defendant may choose one reset for an additional Pretrial Hearing No. 1 to retain counsel.
(d) One Additional Reset for Pro Se Defendants. If a defendant is unrepresented by counsel, then that defendant will be given the option of one reset for an additional Pretrial Hearing No. 1 to retain counsel with an accompanying Order to Employ Counsel.
Page 33 | Chapter 28 — Appeals of Class C Misdemeanors
The Court may modify deadlines upon motion for good cause shown or through a Docket Control Order.
The Court may modify any deadlines upon motion and for good cause shown, or through the entry of a Docket Control Order that modifies any deadlines.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Modification
Chambers Communication Rules
All parties must schedule hearing and trial settings through the Court Coordinators, including settings already included in a signed order.
(b) Settings. All parties must schedule all settings for hearings and trials through the Court Coordinators, even those settings included in an order that a Judge has signed.
Page 7 | 1.06 Court Coordinators
An attorney assigned to courts on the same date must call each affected judge’s attention to the conflict as soon as it is known or reasonably anticipated.
When an attorney is assigned to two courts for the same date, it is the duty of the attorney to call each affected judge’s attention to the conflicting settings as soon as they are known to the attorney or reasonably may be anticipated.
Page 10 | 4.02 Settings in Multiple Courts
Counsel must notify the Court Coordinators immediately after learning that a trial setting conflicts with properly designated vacation time.
If the Court sets a case for trial on a date that conflicts with counsel’s properly designated vacation, counsel must notify the Court Coordinators immediately after learning of the conflicting setting.
Page 10 | 3.02(c) Prompt Notice Scheduling Error
In a contested case, a remote-appearance request must be emailed to the Court Coordinators with notice to all other parties, and any objection must be communicated to the coordinators and all other parties within 24 hours after receipt of the request.
(1) In a contested case, the party must make the request by emailing the Court Coordinators with notice to all other parties. Any party who objects must notify the Court Coordinators and provide notice of the objection to all other parties within twenty-four hours of the party’s receipt of the request.
Page 11 | 5.02 Arrangements for Remote Appearances in Advance
A request for a party or attorney to appear remotely must be made to the Court Coordinators at least 72 hours in advance.
Parties may request that a party or attorney be allowed to participate in a hearing remotely. The party’s request for a remote appearance must be made at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the Court Coordinators:
Page 11 | 5.02 Arrangements for Remote Appearances in Advance
A party requiring a licensed Court Appointed Interpreter must separately notify the Court Coordinators in writing of the request.
(a) Separate Request to Coordinators. Any party who requires a licensed Court Appointed Interpreter for a court proceeding for either a party or witness shall reflect such need in their notice of setting and separately notify the Court Coordinators in writing of their request.
Page 12 | 6.02 Request
If a hearing or trial is canceled, the party who requested the interpreter must notify the Court Coordinators as soon as possible and no later than 30 hours before the scheduled date.
(a) Prompt Notice of Need to Cancel Interpreter. If a hearing or trial is canceled, the party who requested the Court Appointed Interpreter is required to provide notice to the Court Coordinators as soon as possible, but not later than 30 hours prior to the scheduled hearing or trial date.
Page 12 | 6.04 Cancellations
An interpreter request must be made to the Court Coordinators at least 10 days before the setting, or, if the setting is less than 10 days away, as soon as practicable after the hearing is set.
(b) Timely Request. A party must make this request to the Court Coordinators not less than ten (10) days prior to the setting, or if less than ten (10) days, as soon as practicable after the hearing is set.
Page 12 | 6.02 Request
Parties must promptly notify the Court Coordinators of an agreement to pass a setting; they may not agree to pass a setting in a case retained on the docket after a dismissal-for-want-of-prosecution notice, and failure to notify promptly may result in sanctions against counsel.
(b) Agreements to Pass a Setting. The parties must notify the Court Coordinators of an agreement to pass a setting as soon as possible. However, parties cannot agree to pass a setting for a case that was retained on the Court’s docket following a dismissal for want of prosecution notice. (c) Possible Sanctions. The failure of the parties to promptly notify the Court Coordinators’ office of an agreement to pass a setting may result in the imposition of sanctions against counsel.
Page 17 | 9.04(b)-(c)
When multiple parties obtained a setting, counsel for the plaintiff, movant, or party seeking affirmative relief must notify the Court Coordinators of the resolution so the setting can be used for other cases.
(c) Party Responsible for Notifying Court Coordinators. If more than one party obtained the setting, then counsel for the plaintiff, movant, or party seeking affirmative relief is responsible for notifying the Court Coordinators of the resolution of a matter, so that the setting may be used for other cases.
Page 17 | 9.03(c)
If a matter is resolved before its scheduled hearing or trial, the party who obtained the setting must immediately notify the Court Coordinators whether the setting is no longer needed or less time is needed to present a settlement for approval.
(a) Notice of Resolution of Matter. If the parties to a matter or issue resolve the matter or issue before a scheduled hearing or trial date, the party that obtained the setting must immediately advise the Court Coordinators that the hearing or trial date is no longer needed or that a shorter time is needed to present a settlement for Court approval.
Page 17 | 9.03(a)
If a judge signs a setting order, the party obtaining it must still have the Court Coordinators place the setting on that judge's docket, but need not provide a separate notice of setting.
If a Judge signs an order for a setting, the party obtaining this order for a setting must still have the Court Coordinators place the setting on that Judge’s docket. However, under these circumstances, a separate notice of setting is not required.
Page 18 | Rule 9.02(e)(3)
After e-filing the relevant pleading or motion and proposed order, parties must contact the Court Coordinators to bring the request to the Court’s attention; they may not send motions or proposed orders directly to the coordinators unless instructed.
Parties seeking ex parte relief from the Court shall e-file a relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order and then contact the Court Coordinators to request that the pleading or motion for ex parte relief be brought to the attention of the Court. Parties shall not send motions or proposed orders directly to the Court Coordinators unless the Court Coordinators expressly instruct them do so. (b) Timing of Contacting Court Coordinators. Parties shall not contact the Court Coordinators unless the relevant pleading or motion and a proposed order have been e-filed.
Page 21 | 12.03 Filings
A party who e-files a proposed order must email it to the Court Coordinators.
If a party e-files a proposed order, the party must e- file it separately from any motion or other document and email the proposed order to the Court Coordinators in a rich text or Word format.
Page 22 | 14.01 Proposed Orders
When a party files any of the listed post-trial pleadings, the party must email notice directly to the Court Coordinators because the Clerk does not forward those filings to the Judge.
The Clerk of the Court does not forward to the Judge the pleadings and notices that parties file with the Clerk. Therefore, a party must give notice directly to the Court Coordinators through email when a party files one or more of the following post-trial pleadings: (1) Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (TEX. R. CIV. P. 296). (2) Notice of Past Due Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (TEX. R. CIV. P. 296). (3) Any affidavit of indigence filed in connection with an appeal (TEX. R. APP. P. 20.1).
Page 22 | 15.02 Duty to Notify Court of Post-Trial Pleadings
A person wishing to record, broadcast, or photograph any person, object, or proceeding in a physical or virtual courtroom must seek permission with the bailiff in charge of the Court or the Court Coordinators, who will convey the request to the Judge. The requestor should be prepared to provide the following information: (A) The case style and cause number; (B) The date and time when the proceeding is to begin; (C) The name of the requesting individual or entity; (D) The type of recording, broadcasting, or photographing; and (E) The type and extent of equipment to be used.
A person wishing to record, broadcast, or photograph any person, object, or proceeding in a physical or virtual courtroom must seek permission with the bailiff in charge of the Court or the Court Coordinators, who will convey the request to the Judge. The requestor should be prepared to provide the following information: (A) The case style and cause number; (B) The date and time when the proceeding is to begin; (C) The name of the requesting individual or entity; (D) The type of recording, broadcasting, or photographing; and (E) The type and extent of equipment to be used.
Page 13 | Trials or Other Court Proceedings
People requesting copies must obtain them from the County Clerk’s Office, not the County Courts at Law office.
The office of the County Courts at Law of Hays County, Texas does not provide copies of any documents. All persons requesting copies of any documents must obtain those copies from the County Clerk’s Office.
Page 25 | 19.01 Obtain Copies from the Clerk’s Office
By agreement, the parties may request the continuance of a trial setting by filing an agreed motion for continuance with the Clerk of the Court and advising the Court Coordinators in writing of the agreed continuance.
By agreement, the parties may request the continuance of a trial setting by filing an agreed motion for continuance with the Clerk of the Court and advising the Court Coordinators in writing of the agreed continuance.
Page 29 | 22.02 Continuance of Trial Setting
At the conclusion of this hearing, the parties may reset the Case for a Plea & Sentencing Hearing, unless the Court gives its express written approval for a Pretrial Hearing No. 4. Either such hearing shall be by agreement and with notice to the Court Coordinators.
At the conclusion of this hearing, the parties may reset the Case for a Plea & Sentencing Hearing, unless the Court gives its express written approval for a Pretrial Hearing No. 4. Either such hearing shall be by agreement and with notice to the Court Coordinators.
Page 30 | 23.02(c)(4) Reset for Plea & Sentencing Hearing or Pretrial Hearing No. 4
Counsel who makes a jury announcement without appearing in person waives any objection to ex parte scheduling contacts between the Judge and the parties who are present.
If counsel for a party makes their jury announcement by means other than being present, counsel waives any objection to ex parte contacts between the Judge and the other parties who are present as to purely scheduling matters.
Page 32 | 24.02 Jury Trial Announcements
Unless a specific court order provides otherwise, mental health records are available to the Criminal District Attorney's Office and assigned defense attorney, and the Clerk's office must provide copies upon request.
In all cases resolved within the jurisdiction of the Hays County Courts at Law and unless otherwise noted by a specific order of the Court, confidential Mental Health records shall be available to the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office and assigned Defense Attorney. For record and administrative purposes, the Clerk's office shall provide copies of Mental Health records to the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office and assigned Defense Attorney upon request.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Accessibility of Mental Health Records for Parties to Criminal Cases
A remote-appearance request in an uncontested case does not have to be in writing.
(2) In an uncontested case, the request does not need to be in writing.
Page 11 | 5.02 Arrangements for Remote Appearances in Advance
After complying with the specified Rule 9.01 requirements, a party may email the Court Coordinators to obtain a hearing date or trial setting; their email addresses are on the Courts’ website.
To obtain a hearing date or a trial setting after complying with Rule 9.01(a) and (c)(1), (2), (5) & (6), a party may email or call the Court Coordinators for the respective Court in which the Case is pending. The Court Coordinators’ email addresses and telephone number can be found on the Courts’ website.
Page 17 | Rule 9.02(a)
A prevailing party may email an approved-as-to-form proposed order or judgment to the Judge’s Court Coordinators for signature.
(3) A prevailing party may submit an order or judgment that has been approved as to form to the Court for signature by e-mailing the proposed order or judgment, in an editable format, to the Court Coordinators for the Judge.
Page 21
If counsel receives notice concerning a previously dismissed or concluded case, counsel may contact the Court Coordinators with documentation of the prior dismissal to have the matter removed from the DWOP Docket.
If counsel receives a notice of dismissal of a previously dismissed or concluded case, they may contact the Court Coordinators with documentation of the prior dismissal, and the Court Coordinators will remove the matter from the DWOP Docket.
Page 26 | 18.03 Case Previously Dismissed