Court Rules
Common questions about Waller County District Court rules

What must be included with setting request filings in Waller County District Court?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. After a docket control order is approved, the parties must submit a trial setting request to the Court Coordinator.

View ruleSource: page 9, section RULE 3.5 DOCKET SETTINGS

What must be included with motion filings in Waller County District Court?

The rule requires proposed order. Written motions must include a separate proposed order granting or denying the requested relief.

View ruleSource: page 9, section RULE 3.6 PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS

How may parties contact Waller County District Court?

The rule addresses phone communications with the clerk. The court clerk may answer only limited status inquiries by telephone, including whether specified documents were filed, whether a case exists, service return, case style when the case number is supplied, order signature, and jury-fee payment.

View ruleSource: page 8, section RULE 3.4 DISTRICT CLERK & COUNTY CLERK — A. Telephone Requests

How do I request an adjournment or extension in Waller County District Court?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A continuance requires ten days' notice after filing.

View ruleSource: page 10, section RULE 3.6 PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS — Submission Guidelines

Does Waller County District Court require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is optional for covered papers in Waller County District Court. Summary-judgment motions may be filed under submission and remain governed by Rule 166(b), except that the notice period is extended to 30 days after filing for standard and no-evidence motions.

View ruleSource: page 8, section Submission Guidelines for Summary Judgment Rule 166(b) TRCP

Is electronic filing required in Waller County District Court?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Civil cases exceeding $250,000 and all Family Law cases, including DFPS cases, must be electronically filed with the District Clerk's office.

View ruleSource: page 8, section RULE 3.1 GENERAL

What filing deadlines does Waller County District Court set?

Responses must be filed before the hearing, failure to respond may be treated as no opposition, and a reply may be filed after the response and before the ruling.

View ruleSource: page 9, section RULE 3.6 PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS

What service or proof of service rules apply in Waller County District Court?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Hearing and trial setting requests must be submitted in writing through the applicable court coordinator using the court's posted form, with notice served on all counsel and pro se parties; approved settings are confirmed in writing.

View ruleSource: page 9, section RULE 3.5 DOCKET SETTINGS
Complete rules summary for Waller County District Court

Hearing and trial setting requests must be submitted in writing through the applicable court coordinator using the court's posted form, with notice served on all counsel and pro se parties; approved settings are confirmed in writing.

Civil cases exceeding $250,000 and all Family Law cases, including DFPS cases, must be electronically filed with the District Clerk's office.

Civil cases between $500 and $250,000, probate and Estates Code cases, and juvenile cases must be electronically filed with the County Clerk's office.

Process may be served anywhere by a sheriff, constable, or other legally authorized person, including an authorized person at least 18 years old or a person certified by the Supreme Court.

The court clerk's telephone responses are limited to specified case-status and filing information, and do not authorize a fishing expedition.

Pro se parties filing a petition or responsive pleading should provide an email address for electronic service, an address, and a current phone number, and must request an exception if unable to do so.

After a docket control order is approved, the parties must submit a trial setting request to the Court Coordinator.

Written motions must include a separate proposed order granting or denying the requested relief.

Responses must be filed before the hearing, failure to respond may be treated as no opposition, and a reply may be filed after the response and before the ruling.

Opposed motions and responses must include a Certificate of Conference stating that counsel attempted to resolve the dispute before filing and providing the attempt date and communication method or other court-required information.

Fully agreed matters may be submitted without a submission period, must include the signatures of all counsel or pro se parties, and must state in the motion heading that the matter is agreed.

A matter labeled unopposed may be submitted without a hearing after a three-day submission period, but counsel must certify that opposing counsel is aware and has no objection, and the motion heading must state that it is unopposed.

A continuance requires ten days' notice after filing.

A motion to substitute counsel requires three days' notice after filing, or ten days' notice if the substitution affects a hearing or trial setting.

A motion to withdraw requires ten days' notice after filing without client consent but may be submitted immediately with signed client consent.

A motion for entry of order requires ten days' notice after filing.

Special exceptions presented without a hearing require ten days' notice after filing.

A substituted-service matter may be submitted immediately.

A citation-by-publication matter may be submitted immediately.

An appointment-of-ad-litem matter may be submitted immediately.

A motion for leave to designate a responsible third party requires ten days after filing before submission.

A nonsuit or dismissal may be submitted immediately when filed by the party seeking affirmative relief, and counsel is presumed to know whether the opposing side has affirmative-relief pleadings on file.

An ex parte matter may be submitted immediately before service is effected or before an appearance; the court will decide whether a hearing is required and notify the requesting party.

A motion for default judgment requires three days' notice after filing and may be submitted any time after fifteen days from the answer date; the moving party may use a notice or letter of submission and must provide a proposed order.

A motion for default judgment must be accompanied by a proposed order.

Other matters may be submitted only with the Court's consent.

A response not filed within the submission period may be treated as no opposition, and only responses in the clerk's file before the submission date will be considered.

Certificates of service are required on all pleadings, and failure to properly notify opposing counsel of a submitted matter may result in sanctions and costs.

A Rule 91(a) motion must state the grounds for dismissal, identify supporting law or facts, and include clear arguments with citations and specific pleading or evidentiary references.

A response to a Rule 91(a) motion must follow the motion’s numerical order, identify the law or facts opposing dismissal, specify pleading locations, and provide concise cited arguments.

More Judges in Waller County District Court

Gary W. Chaney
Judge