Court Rules
About Judge Justin Lewis

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** 66th District Court **Phone:** 254-582-4045 **Fax:** 254-582-4010 **Court coordinator:** Gloria Rivera (grivera@co.hill.tx.us) **Mailing address:** P. O. Box 284, Hillsboro, TX 76645-0284 **Courthouse:** Hill County Courthouse, 1 N Waco St, Hillsboro, TX 76645 **Scheduling:** The court's policies effective December 1, 2025 ask counsel to email the court coordinators (grivera@co.hill.tx.us and psvacina@co.hill.tx.us) for available hearing and trial dates and then e-file a notice of hearing or a scheduling order. For a civil jury trial, a status conference is held on the first Wednesday of the month the trial is scheduled, and the pre-trial hearing is generally at 9:00 am on the second Wednesday of the month before the trial begins. **Official sources**

Common questions about Judge Justin Lewis's rules

What must be included with jury trial discovery control plan filings before Judge Justin Lewis?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A Jury Trial Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order must be completed and signed when the jury trial is set.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Trials

What must be included with proposed property division filings before Judge Justin Lewis?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A request for property division must include a proposed division listing all assets and debts.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Property Division

How may parties contact Judge Justin Lewis' chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. To set a hearing, email the court coordinators, work with the other side to agree on a date, and e-file a completed notice of hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Settings - Civil

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Justin Lewis?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Failure to mediate timely will not constitute adequate grounds for a continuance and will result in the stated reduced trial-time limits.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Mediation

Is electronic filing required before Judge Justin Lewis?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A notice of hearing with the selected date must be e-filed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Settings - Civil

What filing deadlines apply to certificate of completion filings before Judge Justin Lewis?

Each party must file the course completion certificate within 65 days after service of the original petition on any respondent.

View ruleSource: page 1, section LOCAL RULES ORDER

What service or proof of service rules apply before Judge Justin Lewis?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. To proceed on a motion or hearing without the other side present, proof of notice must be filed or tendered to the court reporter as an exhibit.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Proof of Notice
Complete rules summary for Judge Justin Lewis

Each party must file the course completion certificate within 65 days after service of the original petition on any respondent.

To set a hearing, email the court coordinators, work with the other side to agree on a date, and e-file a completed notice of hearing.

A notice of hearing with the selected date must be e-filed.

The court coordinator will not place a case on the calendar until a completed notice of hearing is submitted.

To set a trial, email the court coordinator and work with the other side to agree on an available date.

A Scheduling Order containing the trial date and mediation details must be e-filed to set the trial.

If the parties cannot agree on a trial date after several attempts, e-file a proposed scheduling order and a letter describing the efforts made.

To proceed on a motion or hearing without the other side present, proof of notice must be filed or tendered to the court reporter as an exhibit.

A TRO request should identify only the few items of genuine concern so the court can determine the relief sought.

A Jury Trial Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order must be completed and signed when the jury trial is set.

Potentially dispositive motions must be filed and heard at least 30 days before trial.

Failure to mediate timely will not constitute adequate grounds for a continuance and will result in the stated reduced trial-time limits.

Attorneys must e-file requests for ex parte relief and may not seek the requested relief by coming to the courthouse in person.

After e-filing an ex parte motion and proposed order, call or email the court coordinator to request action on the filing.

Without notice to the coordinator that action is desired, an ex parte request will remain in the e-filing queue without action.

Any request, even an agreed request, to continue a trial beyond the one-year anniversary of filing requires a verified continuance motion and a hearing.

A request for property division must include a proposed division listing all assets and debts.

The court prefers the proposed property division to be submitted in an editable format such as an Excel spreadsheet.

A request for spousal support or division of expenses must include a financial information statement listing income and expenses.

If a child interview is required by Tex. Fam. Code §153.009, contact the court coordinator by email during the week before trial to ensure the court is aware of the request.

A child may not be brought to court without the Court’s prior express permission.

The Court may sign a temporary order without a hearing only if it is accompanied by an objection-rights letter, the submitting attorney certifies service, and no objection is filed.

The submitting attorney must certify that the temporary order and accompanying letter were sent to opposing counsel via eFile or to the opposing party at the stated address or qualifying email address.

No objection is filed.