Court Rules

Matagorda County District Courts Document Filing Requirements

71 rules from official source documents

42 of 71 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.

Required elements, certificates, and structural requirements for court documents. This page is scoped to Matagorda County District Courts; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Petition

The petitioner must attach a copy of the standing order to the original petition and every copy of the petition.

8.1. The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the original petition and to each copy of the petition.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Pre hearing conference certificate
Must include
certificate of conference

A certificate of pre-hearing conference is required before obtaining a temporary orders hearing setting.

At a minimum, a certificate of pre-hearing conference is required to obtain a temporary orders hearing setting.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to
Waiver of right to counsel

The court must advise a defendant who wishes to waive counsel about the charges and, for trial, the risks of self-representation; if it finds the waiver voluntary and intelligent, it must provide a statement for the defendant to sign and file in the record.

iii. If a defendant wishes to waive the right to counsel for purposes of entering a guilty plea or proceeding to trial, the court shall advise the defendant of the nature of the charges against the defendant and, if the defendant is proceeding to trial, the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. If the court determines that the waiver is voluntarily and intelligently waived, the court shall provide the defendant with a statement substantially in the following form, which, if signed by the defendant, shall be filed with and become part of the record of the proceedings. “I have been advised this ___day of ____, 2___ by the (name of court) of my right to representation by counsel in the case pending against me. I have been further advised that if I am unable to afford counsel, one will be appointed for me free of charge. Understanding my right to have counsel Matagorda District Court and County Court Indigent Defense Plan Page 11 of 14 ===== PAGE 12 ===== appointed for me free of charge if I am not financially able to employ counsel, I wish to waive that right and request the court to proceed with my case without an attorney being appointed for me. I hereby waive my right to counsel. (Signature of Defendant)”

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Affidavit of indigency

The affidavit of indigency must have all blanks completed with information or N/A and must be signed.

I have no assets except the following: (complete all blanks with information or N/A and sign)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Affidavit of indigency

The affidavit must include a sworn statement that the financial information is complete, true, and correct, that the defendant cannot afford an attorney, and that the defendant requests appointed counsel.

I HEREBY SWEAR OR AFFIRM, UPON PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS COMPLETE, TRUE, AND CORRECT. I AM FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY AND HEREBY REQUEST THAT THE COURT APPOINT AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME IN THIS CASE.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Motion
Must include
certificate of conference

The motion’s certificate of conference must document a substantive discussion of every item presented to the court and, despite best efforts, the inability to resolve all matters.

CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE ____ (1) Counsel for movant and counsel for respondent have personally conducted a conference at which there was a substantive discussion of every item presented to the Court in this motion and despite best efforts the counsel have not been able to resolve all matters presented. Counsel have further conferred and __ do) __do not) agree on a setting date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to
Fee voucher

Appointed counsel must submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered.

An appointed attorney shall fill out and submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Criminal cases

Applies to
Expense request

Appointed counsel may request advance payment for investigative or expert expenses through a confidential pretrial ex parte filing that identifies the investigation or expert, supporting facts, and anticipated itemized expenses.

Appointed Counsel may file with the trial court a pretrial ex parte confidential request for advance payment of investigative and expert expenses. The request for expenses must state the below, as applicable: a. The type of investigation to be conducted or the type of expert to be retained; b. Specific facts that suggest the investigation will result in admissible evidence or that the services of an expert are reasonably necessary to assist in the preparation of a potential defense; and c. An itemized list of anticipated expenses for each investigation and/or each expert.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Unsworn declaration by defendant

If the unsworn-declaration section is used, only the defendant may complete it and must provide identifying information, an address, the perjury declaration, and the execution information.

# UNSWORN DECLARATION BY DEFENDANT # (Defendant ONLY) My name is ________________________, my date of birth is ________________________. (First Name) (Middle Name) (Last Name) My address is (Street Number and Name) (City) (State) (Zip Code) (Country) I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed in ________________________ County, State of Texas, on the ______ day of ______, 20____.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Unsworn declaration by defendant

If the unsworn-declaration section is used, only the defendant may complete it and must provide identifying information, an address, the perjury declaration, and the execution information.

# UNSWORN DECLARATION BY DEFENDANT (Defendant ONLY) My name is ________________________, my date of birth is ________________________. (First Name) (Middle Name) (Last Name) My address is ________________________ (Street Number and Name) (City) (State) (Zip Code) (Country) I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed in ________________________ County, State of Texas, on the ________________ day of ________________, 20____.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
certificate of conference

Counsel must personally conduct a substantive conference about every item presented in the motion, state whether they agree to the listed setting dates, and explain that the matters remain unresolved despite best efforts.

(1) Counsel for movant and counsel for respondent have personally conducted a conference at which there was a substantive discussion of every item presented to the Court in this motion and despite best efforts the counsel have not been able to resolve those matters presented. Counsel have further conferred and (___do)(___do not) agree to the setting dates listed in the Setting Request.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
certificate of conference

If counsel cannot resolve the matter, movant's counsel must document personal attempts to contact respondent's counsel, delivery and receipt of the proposed motion, and at least three contact attempts after receipt before respondent fails to respond or resolve the matters.

(2) Counsel for movant has personally attempted to contact the counsel for respondent to resolve the matters presented as follows: DATE TIME METHOD RESULT Counsel for the movant has caused to be delivered to counsel for respondent, and counsel for respondent has received a copy of the proposed motion. At least three (3) attempts to contact the counsel for respondent followed the receipt by counsel for respondent of the proposed motion. Counsel for respondent has failed to respond or attempt to resolve the matters presented.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
certificate of conference

An emergency-based inability to confer must be supported by details explaining the emergency, irreparable harm from delay, and the inability to contact opposing counsel or the party.

(3) An emergency exists of such a nature that further delay would cause irreparable harm to the movant, as follows: (details of emergency and harm justifying inability to contact opposing counsel or party)

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Vacation designation motion

The motion must state the reasons for the late vacation designation or requested amendment.

State the reason(s) for the late filed vacation designation or the request to amend the prior vacation designation.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Vacation designation motion

The motion must identify covered cases currently set for trial during the requested summer vacation and any likely affected long cases, including each case's number and style, court, and trial date.

List all cases in which counsel is (or expects to become) lead counsel that are currently set for trial during a week designated as a summer vacation. Include any case that is long enough to likely be affected, if called to trial on a setting prior to the requested designated summer week(s). Provide the following information: case number and style, court, trial date.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Attorney fee submission

The form must be filed with a Motion for Alternative Fee Calculation before time or expenses are incurred.

File Expert witness hours this form with a Motion for Alternative Fee Calculation BEFORE expending the time and/or Deposition expenses

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Itemized time statement

The attorney must affirm that the statement accurately reflects time, services, and out-of-court expenses for the party represented.

I affirm and hereby represent to the Court that this is a true and correct reflection of my time and services and out of court expenses representing the above-named Party.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Alternative fee invoice

An Alternative Fee Calculation invoice and service description must reference the court's authorization and comply with CPS Local Rule 5.3.1 and following.

The invoice and description of the services for which compensation is sought must reference the court's authorization for the Alternative Fee Calculation and comply with 5.3.1 et. seq.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Attorney payment request

An attorney requesting compensation as counsel for indigent clients must verify under oath the accuracy and completeness of the payment request and supporting information.

The attorney seeking compensation as counsel for indigent client(s) must verify under oath the accuracy of the facts set out in the form requesting payment as well as the accuracy and completeness of any other information provided in support of the request for payment.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Payment request
Must include
local rule certificate

Each attorney payment request must include a sworn certification covering the accuracy of the time claimed, its reasonableness and necessity, the reasonableness and actual incurrence of expenses, and compliance with the applicable CPS Local Rules and fee schedule.

Each request for payment must include a sworn certification by the attorney seeking payment that the request truthfully and accurately represents time spent on the identified matter(s), that the time spent was reasonable and necessary, that expenses for which reimbursement is sought were reasonable and actually incurred on the identified matter(s), and that the request complies with the CPS Local Rules and fee schedule of Matagorda County in effect at the time the services were rendered or expenses incurred.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to
Payment request

Each attorney payment request constitutes acceptance of the CPS Local Rules and a commitment to follow them.

Each request for payment shall also constitute the attorney's acceptance of the CPS Local Rules and willingness to abide by the same.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Motion
Must include
proposed order

The movant must include a proposed order with the motion.

B. Movant shall include the proposed order with the motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Pre hearing conference confirmation

Before requesting a hearing date, attorneys and pro se litigants must provide the Court Coordinator written confirmation of their conference or attempted conference, including the required details.

Prior to all settings, including Temporary Orders, attorneys and pro-se litigants must confirm in writing with the Court Coordinator that they have met with the opposing party before requesting a hearing date. The confirmation shall contain the date(s) in which the parties conferred. If the parties did not confer, the confirmation of pre-hearing conference must provide the attempted meeting information (i.e. date, time, and method) and the reason it did not occur.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Motion
Must include
proposed order

The movant must include a proposed order with the motion.

C. Movant shall include the proposed order with the motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Motion for alternative or substituted service

Motions for alternative or substituted service must be accompanied by an affidavit documenting at least three attempts.

E. Motions for Alternative or Substituted Service (if properly accompanied by an affidavit that includes at least three attempts).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Agreed divorce no children

For an agreed divorce without children, parties must submit the listed documents, including a signed decree and BVS 165, which must not be e-filed.

Parties must submit the following documents: i. Waiver/Agreed Divorce - No Children. a. Waiver of Citation/Answer/MSA on file; b. Prove-up/Testimony Affidavit; c. Divorce Decree (with all parties' signatures); d. BVS 165 (Information on SAPCR). This form must be hand delivered, emailed or mailed to the District Clerk. Do no e-file.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Agreed divorce with children or sapcr

For an agreed divorce with children or SAPCRs, parties must submit the listed documents, with the employer and medical support orders required if applicable.

ii. Waiver/Agreed Divorce - With Children/SAPCRs. a. Waiver of Citation/Answer/MSA on file; b. Prove-up/Testimony Affidavit; c. Divorce Decree/Agreed Order (with all parties' signatures); d. BVS 165 (Information on SAPCR). This form must be hand delivered, emailed or mailed to the District Clerk. Do no e-file; e. Employer's Order to Withhold Wages/Income Withholding for Support (if applicable); f. Medical Child Support Order (if applicable).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Adult name change submission

Adult name-change submissions must include the listed criminal-record, identification, affidavit, fingerprint-card, and signed-order materials.

iv. Change of Name for Adults. a. Criminal Record run through the Crime Records Division (DPS) in Austin or FBI (must include fingerprints); b. Color copy of valid state picture identification (front and back); c. Prove-up/Testimony Affidavit; d. Fingerprint card on file with Petition; e. Order Granting Change of Name (signed by Petitioner and Attorney, if applicable).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Child name change submission

Child name-change submissions must include the listed documents, subject to the stated conditions, including a BVS 165 that must not be e-filed.

v. Change of Name for Children. a. Both parents must file a Prove-Up/Testimony Affidavit (if both are Petitioners); b. Color copy of valid state picture identification(s) (front and back); c. Color Copy of Original Birth Certificate (if not in English it must be professionally translated); d. Child's Consent to Name Change (only if child is over 10 years old); e. Waiver of Citation/Service (if applicable); f. Order Granting Change of Name (signed by both parents and attorney); g. BVS 165 (SAPCR sections 1 and 3). This form must not be e-filed and shall be hand delivered, emailed or mailed to the District Clerk.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Certificate of conference

If no meeting occurred, the certificate must state the attempted meeting’s date, time, and method and explain why it did not occur.

If the meeting did not occur, the certificate must provide the attempted meeting information (i.e. date, time, and method) and the reason it did not occur.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Adult adoption submission

Adult adoption submissions must include a final order signed by all parties, a prove-up affidavit, identification, and a criminal background check if a name change is requested.

vi. Adult Adoptions. a. Final Order Granting Adult Adoption (signed by all parties); b. Prove-Up/Testimony Affidavit; c. Color Copy of Valid State Picture Identification (front & back); d. Criminal Background needed if name change is requested.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Exhibit

Every exhibit must be pre-marked on every page with its exhibit number, offering party name, cause number, and page number and total page count.

i. All exhibits shall be PRE-MARKED with the exhibit number, offering party name, cause number and the page number and number of pages (i.e. Page 1 of 20). All pages of the exhibit shall include this information.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Family plan of service amendment
Must include
proposed order

Amendments to court-ordered Family Plans of Service become effective only after presentation to the Court and specific incorporation into a court order.

Any and all amendments to Family Plans of Service after they have become an order of this Court, shall become effective after they have been presented to the Court and incorporated specifically into a court order which may be submitted via submission hearing guidelines.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Certificate of conference

The Certificate of Conference must state the date the parties conferred.

The certificate shall contain the date in which the parties conferred.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to
Certificate of conference

If no conference occurred, the certificate must state the attempted meeting’s date, time, and method and explain why it did not occur.

If the conference did not occur, the certificate must provide the attempted meeting information (i.e. date, time, and method) and the reason it did not occur.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Criminal cases

Applies to
Public appointment list application

The application must include an attorney sworn or affirmed statement that the supplied information is true and accurate.

I, the undersigned attorney, being duly licensed to practice law in the State of Texas by the State Bar of Texas, do hereby file this Application in compliance with the Local Rules of Matagorda County, Texas for the Timely and Fair Appointment of Counsel for Indigent Defendants, and swear or affirm that the below information is true and accurate.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Criminal cases

Applies to
Practice time statement

Attorneys must submit an annual statement by October 15 describing the percentage of their practice time devoted to appointed adult criminal and juvenile delinquency cases during the preceding October 1–September 30 period.

An attorney shall submit by October 15th each year a statement that describes the percentage of the attorney's practice time that was dedicated to work based on appointments accepted in this county for adult criminal cases and juvenile delinquency cases for the prior 12 months that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
certificate of conference

Counsel or a party may be unable to discuss the motion’s setting and subject with opposing counsel or party for another reason.

(4) Other reason Counsel/Party is unable to discuss the setting and matter addressed by the Motion with opposing counsel/party:

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Applies to
Itemized time statement

Time must be recorded in 0.10-hour increments, and additional pages may be attached if necessary.

Billing increments are 0.10 of an hour (attach additional pages if necessary).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING

Applies to
Agreed order
Must include
proposed order

The Court may consider agreed motions without a hearing, and an agreed order must be signed by all parties to be treated as agreed.

The Court will consider agreed motions without the need for a hearing. The party can request the Clerk's office to bring the file with the motion to the Judge's office. All Agreed Orders must be signed by all parties for the Court to consider it 'agreed.'

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026INFO

Civil cases

Applies to
Fixed fee sheet

A Fixed Fee sheet may be submitted at any time when the attorney seeks only amounts characterized as presumptively reasonable and necessary Fixed Fees.

If the attorney only seeks amounts characterized as presumptively reasonable and necessary Fixed Fees in the fee schedule, a Fixed Fee sheet can be submitted at any time.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026INFO

Applies to
Summarized requested relief

Each side should provide the court with its Summarized Requested Relief at the beginning of a temporary order hearing or final trial.

At a temporary order hearing and final trial, each side should provide the Court a copy of their Summarized Requested Relief at the beginning of the hearing or trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to
Public appointment list application ?

1. Criminal jury trial and appeals list described above

Summary: The public appointment list application must be accompanied by the criminal jury trial and appeals list described in the form.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to
Public appointment list application ?

2. A current resume

Summary: A current resume must be attached to the public appointment list application.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to
Public appointment list application ?

3. A copy of your most recent annual report from the State Bar

Summary: A copy of the attorney's most recent State Bar annual report must be attached to the application.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Oath by mother guardian of juvenile respondent ?

# CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX BELOW

Summary: The mother or guardian must check the applicable box concerning whether to request appointed counsel or retain an attorney.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Oath by mother guardian of juvenile respondent ?

# ONLY ONE SECTION BELOW TO BE COMPLETED.

Summary: Only one of the two alternative execution sections on the mother or guardian oath may be completed.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Administered oath

# ADMINISTERED OATH # (Clerk/Notary ONLY) SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, the undersigned authority, this ______ day of ______, 20____. Clerk/Notary Public Signature Date

Summary: If the administered-oath section is used, only a clerk or notary may complete it, and it must include the oath and the clerk or notary's signature and date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Oath by mother guardian of juvenile respondent ?

# Mother/Guardian of Juvenile Respondent Currently Meets Eligibility Requirements? ☐ YES ☐ NO Date ________________________

Summary: The mother or guardian must indicate whether the juvenile respondent currently meets eligibility requirements and provide a date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Administered oath

# ADMINISTERED OATH (Clerk/Notary ONLY) SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, the undersigned authority, this ________________ day of ________________, 20____. Clerk/Notary Public Signature Date

Summary: If the administered-oath section is used, only a clerk or notary may complete it, and it must include the oath and the clerk or notary's signature and date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Oath by father guardian of juvenile respondent ?

# Father/Guardian of Juvenile Respondent Currently Meets Eligibility Requirements? ☐ YES ☐ NO Date ________________________

Summary: The father or guardian must indicate whether the juvenile respondent currently meets eligibility requirements and provide a date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

Applies to
Cash bond receipt ?

Any cash funds deposited shall be receipted for by the officer receiving the funds and the receipt provided to the clerk to file in the records of the case.

Summary: The officer receiving deposited cash must issue a receipt, which must be provided to the clerk for filing in the case record.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
local rule certificate ?

BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared _______________________________, Counsel for Movant, who stated that the information contained in the foregoing Certificate of Conference is true and correct.

Summary: Movant's counsel must appear before the authorized official and state under oath or affirmation that the Certificate of Conference information is true and correct.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Vacation designation motion ?

Attach the Vacation Request and any prior requests.

Summary: A late-filed vacation designation motion or request to amend a timely vacation designation must attach the Vacation Request and any prior requests.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Vacation designation motion ?
Must include
local rule certificate ?

Contain a certificate that the movant has notified each attorney in any case listed above in (3) in which trial setting would be affected by a summer designation, pursuant to Tex. R. Civ. Pro. 21a

Summary: The motion must contain a certificate establishing notice to every attorney in each listed case whose trial setting would be affected by the requested summer vacation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Vacation designation motion ?
Must include
certificate of conference

The motion must include a certificate of conference covering all the listed cases.

Summary: The motion must include a certificate of conference covering every listed case.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Attorney fee submission ?

All hours outside of the courtroom shall be submitted in detailed format on attached sheet.

Summary: Hours worked outside the courtroom must be submitted in detailed format on an attached sheet.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Itemized time statement ?

Do not include in this document any privileged communication.

Summary: The itemized time statement must not include privileged communications.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Alternative fee preapproval motion ?

An ex parte motion under oath for pre-approval of Alternative Fee Calculation shall fully and completely set forth the basis for the request, and be accompanied by documentation that makes a particularized showing with respect to any factual basis supporting the motion.

Summary: A motion seeking pre-approval of an Alternative Fee Calculation must be made ex parte under oath, fully state the request basis, and include particularized supporting documentation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Alternative fee preapproval motion ?

Time listed in the motion shall be itemized to the tenth (1/10) of an hour.

Summary: Time listed in an Alternative Fee Calculation motion must be itemized in one-tenth-of-an-hour increments.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Alternative fee preapproval request ?

All such requests shall be submitted under oath and/or attested to under penalty of perjury and as officers of the Court.

Summary: Alternative Fee Calculation requests must be submitted under oath or attested under penalty of perjury by officers of the Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Attorney payment request ?

An attorney shall not be paid until:

Summary: An appointed attorney cannot receive payment until the stated submission requirements are satisfied.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Attorney payment request ?

The attorney submits a completed form (can be ex parte) that complies with these CPS Local Rules

Summary: Payment requires submission of a completed CPS-compliant form, which may be filed ex parte.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Applies to
Fixed fee sheet ?

Any claim for Family Group Conferences or mediation fees shall also include the date(s) of those events.

Summary: A payment claim for Family Group Conferences or mediation must include the dates of those events.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Contested hearing ?
Must include
certificate of conference

Attorneys and pro-se litigants shall file a Certificate of Conference before the hearing begins.

Summary: Attorneys and pro se litigants must file a Certificate of Conference before a contested hearing begins.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.CRITICAL?

iii. Default Divorces, SAPCRs, Paternity, Custody, Modifications. a. Check file for proof of service return (citation) - must be imaged and be on file ten days; b. Decree/Judgment; c. Employer's Order to Withhold Wages/Income Withholding for Support (if applicable); d. Medical Child Support Order (if applicable); e. Non-Military Affidavit (required); f. Certificate of Last Known Address (required); g. BVS 165 (Information on SAPCR- required). This form must not be e-filed and shall be hand delivered, emailed or mailed to the District Clerk; h. Inventory & Appraisement (Divorces only).

Machine summary

Default divorce, SAPCR, paternity, custody, and modification submissions must include the listed documents, subject to the stated applicability conditions.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to
Certificate of conference
Must include
certificate of conference

Attorneys and pro-se litigants shall file a Certificate of Conference before the hearing begins.

Summary: Attorneys and pro se litigants must file a Certificate of Conference before an Adversary or Show Cause Hearing begins.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Applies to
CLE certificate or specialist documentation ?

All attorneys on the appointment list must file a certificate with the court administration office each year attesting to completion of the required CLE or submit documentation showing that the attorney is certified as a specialist in juvenile law.

Summary: Attorneys on the appointment list must annually submit either a certificate attesting to required juvenile-law CLE or documentation of specialist certification in juvenile law.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Applies to
Affidavit of surety to surrender ?

6. Notice has been given to the defendant's Attorney: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ No attorney Attorney Name: ________________________ By: CMRRR ________________________, email, or fax on ________________________ (date)

Summary: The affidavit of surety must identify whether the defendant's attorney was notified and, when applicable, provide the attorney's name, notice method, and notice date or state that no attorney exists.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

Applies to
Itemized time statement ?

(attach receipts for all expenses except phone and copy charges)

Summary: Receipts must be attached for all expenses other than phone and copy charges.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Applies to
Proposed jury questions and instructions or findings conclusions ?

This document should be exactly as it would be presented to a jury without signature blocks for the Judge for granting, denying or modifying any requests.

Summary: The proposed document must be in jury-presentable form and must not include signature blocks for the Judge to grant, deny, or modify requests.

Common questions about Matagorda County District Courts document filing requirements

What must be included with petition filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The petitioner must attach a copy of the standing order to the original petition and every copy of the petition.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 6, section VIII. SERVICE AND APPLICATION OF THIS ORDER

What must be included with pre hearing conference certificate filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule requires certificate of conference. A certificate of pre-hearing conference is required before obtaining a temporary orders hearing setting.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 6, section X. PARTIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO MEDIATE

What must be included with waiver of right to counsel filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The court must advise a defendant who wishes to waive counsel about the charges and, for trial, the risks of self-representation; if it finds the waiver voluntary and intelligent, it must provide a statement for the defendant to sign and file in the record.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 11, section C. Waiver of the Right to Counsel

What must be included with affidavit of indigency filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The affidavit of indigency must have all blanks completed with information or N/A and must be signed.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCY & REQUEST FOR APPOINTED COUNSEL

1 more rule answers this question in the list above.

What must be included with motion filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule requires certificate of conference. The motion’s certificate of conference must document a substantive discussion of every item presented to the court and, despite best efforts, the inability to resolve all matters.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 1, section Certificate of Conference

2 more rules answer this question in the list above.

What must be included with fee voucher filings in Matagorda County District Courts?

Judge Denise M. Fortenberry: The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Appointed counsel must submit a fee voucher to the court for services rendered.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 9, section Fee and Expense Payment Process