Judge Travis E. Kitchens Jr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All documents you give to the judge must be originals.
All pleadings and Court orders must appear neat and clean.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
All contact information MUST be provided on the Settings Request form.
DocumentSetting Request
You must present a complete decree that resolves all issues.
DocumentDivorce Decree
Once you are CERTAIN that you are ready for court, obtain the Bureau of Vital statistics form from the District Clerk’s Office and have it completely filled out before you come to court for your divorce.
DocumentBureau Of Vital Statistics Form
When children were born during the marriage, the decree must address custody and residence, visitation, health insurance, and child support under the Texas Family Code guidelines.
If children were born during the marriage, the decree must include the following. i. A statement regarding who the custody of the children and with whom they will live. ii. A schedule of visitation. iii. A statement regarding how the children will be covered by health insurance; and iv. A statement regarding child support in accordance with the guidelines in the Texas Family Code.
DocumentDivorce Decree
After the time for the defendant to answer has expired, the plaintiff must file a motion for default judgment, request a hearing, and provide the defendant’s last known address.
After the appropriate time has transpired for the Defendant to file an answer, the plaintiff shall file a Motion for Default Judgment requesting a default judgment and shall request a with the Court requesting a hearing on the Motion for Default Judgment, together with the Defendant's last known address.
DocumentMotion
The setting request must include certifications about prior discussions, discussion of the requested date with opposing counsel, and delivery of a copy to the other attorneys or parties of record.
I certify that discussions of the matter to be set have been held or would not be productive, and thus without requesting a setting a disposition will not likely occur. I further certify that I have discussed the date of setting with opposing counsel and the requested date is (agreed upon) (not agreed upon). I further certify that a copy of this setting request has been mailed/delivered to all other attorneys/parties of record.
DocumentSetting Request
If provisions contained in the forms, you are using do not apply to you and your spouse, do not include them in the petition or decree, or strike through the inapplicable provisions.
DocumentPetition Or Decree
*Please attach list of any additional parties.
DocumentSetting Request
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A Setting Request form must be submitted by email or Efile.
A Setting Request form can be found on the Court’s webpage and must be submitted by email or Efile.
Page 1 | Court
If a Notice of Hearing is filed, its original must be emailed.
If you file a Notice of Hearing, you will need to email the original.
Page 1 | Setting Requests
The Setting Request Form must be emailed to the Court Coordinator.
The Setting Request Form is required to be emailed to the Court Coordinator.
Page 1 | Setting Requests
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Relevant authorities must be presented to the Court and provided to opposing counsel at least 24 hours in advance of the motion hearing.
Any relevant authorities in support of the Prosecution and the Defense shall be presented to the Court at least 24 hours in advance, with copy of the authority provided to opposing counsel.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Suppression and Motion Hearings
Defense counsel must complete the probation officer’s Information form and provide it to the Probation department at least 3 days before the plea is entered.
Defense counsel shall have the Information form by the probation officer filled in and provided to the Probation department at least 3 days prior to the time the plea is to be entered.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Plea Bargains
The Prosecution must provide the Court with the specified plea materials at least 24 hours before the plea is entered.
The Prosecution shall provide the Court a copy of the plea papers, the probation information form, police reports, and any written statement of the defendant at least 24 hours prior to the time the plea is to be entered.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Plea Bargains
The Prosecution must provide the plea papers to the Defense at least 3 days before the plea is entered.
The Prosecution shall provide the plea papers to Defense at least 3 days prior to the time the plea is to be entered.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Plea Bargains
If there is a recorded statement, the Prosecution must provide a copy to the Court at least 48 hours before the plea-bargain hearing.
If there is a recorded statement, video or audio, a copy of that shall be provided to the court at least 48 hours before the hearing to enter the plea bargain agreement.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Plea Bargains
After the motion is filed, the Court will set a hearing and send notice of it to the defendant.
The Court will then set a hearing on the Motion for Default Judgment and send notice to the Defendant of such court hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING ORDER - DEFAULT JUDGMENTS
The person requesting a setting must notify all parties and confirm their availability.
It is your responsibility to notify all parties of the setting and to confirm their availability.
Page 1 | Setting Requests
A copy of the setting request must be mailed or delivered to all other attorneys or parties of record, and the request must certify that it was done.
I further certify that a copy of this setting request has been mailed/delivered to all other attorneys/parties of record.
Page 1 | SETTING REQUEST
Any last-minute authorities presented at a hearing must be provided to the Court and opposing counsel.
Any “last minute” authorities presented at hearing shall be provided both to the Court and a copy to opposing counsel.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Suppression and Motion Hearings
If a hearing is required, the hearing should be conducted as soon as practicable with notice to all parties.
If a hearing is required, the hearing should be conducted as soon as practicable with notice to all parties.
Page 3 | 9.2.3.2
The recusal order must be filed with the clerk and a copy sent to the referring judge, the Presiding Judge, and all parties.
The order must be filed with the clerk, with a copy sent to the referring judge and the Presiding Judge and all parties.
Page 3 | 9.2.3.3
Chambers Communication Rules
To get a case placed on the docket, contact the Court Coordinator by email.
Although the District Clerk’s office can tell you when court will be held, you may get your case on the docket only by contacting the Court Coordinator, Lianne Mueck, via email at 258court@co.polk.tx.us.
Page 1 | Court
All settings must be confirmed through the Court Coordinator’s office.
Please be advised, all settings need to be confirmed through the Court Coordinator’s office.
Page 1 | Setting Requests
If the setting request is e-filed, it must also be emailed to the court coordinator.
IF YOU E-FILE, PLEASE ALSO EMAIL TO THE COURT COORDINATOR (THE DISTRICT CLERKS OFFICE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FORWARDING SETTING NOTICES TO THE COURT COORDINATORS)
Page 1 | SETTING REQUEST
An attorney must call the affected judge about all dual settings as soon as the conflicts are known.
It is the duty of the attorney to call the affected Judge's attention to all dual settings as soon as they are known.
Page 4 | 10.2.1
For problems submitting the form, email the Website Manager and provide your name and phone number for a callback.
If you encounter issues submitting the form, please email our Website Manager. Provide your name and phone number for a call back.
Page 1 | Setting Requests