Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 133 rules apply across Waller County District Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 53
  • Applies to
    Setting request

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

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    proposed order

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

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Must include
    certificate of conference

    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.

Filing Timing

All 45
  • 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.

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

Service

All 9
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Applies to
    Petition or responsive pleading
    Service
    Electronic service

    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.

E-Filing

All 8
  • Applies to
    Civil and family cases

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

  • Applies to
    Civil probate estates code and juvenile cases

    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.

  • Rule 91(a) motions for dismissal of baseless causes of action may be filed under submission, and the Court will apply Rule 91(a) TRCP to those submissions.

About Judge Gary W. Chaney

**Current assignment** - **Division or department:** 506th District Court, serving Waller County and Grimes County - **Chambers:** Waller County Justice Center, 400 Sheriff R. Glenn Smith Drive, Hempstead, Texas 77445 - **Phone:** 979-921-0921 - **Fax:** 979-399-5033 - **Judicial assistant:** Sheila Mundy, Court Coordinator, court506coordinator@gmail.com - **Court reporter:** Robyn S. Wiley - **Civil settings:** Civil ancillary matters, motions and other non-trial presentations are scheduled through the Court Coordinator on the dates and at the times set for each county calendar. Generally, civil matters are heard on Ancillary Docket days at 10:00 a.m. - **Took office:** January 1, 2021 **Official sources**

Common questions about Judge Gary W. Chaney's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Gary W. Chaney?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for summary judgment motions and summary judgment responses. Courtesy copies of the summary-judgment motion and response must not be filed directly with the court unless specifically instructed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Submission

Does Judge Gary W. Chaney require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Gary W. Chaney's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Traditional and no-evidence motions for summary judgment must follow the Rule 166a notice-of-submission requirements.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Submission Guidelines and Procedures

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

Judge Gary W. Chaney's formatting rule includes audio recordings must be formatted as mp3.. Digital evidence offered to the jury must use MP3 for audio, MP4 for video, and PDF for photographs and documents.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CRIMINAL PRETRIAL PREPARATION ORDER

What must be included with petition filings before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. When Chapter 62 registration requirements apply, proof of notice to the appropriate local law-enforcement authority must be provided before the court will consider the name change.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CHILD NAME CHANGE CHECKLIST FOR PRO SE LITIGANTS

What must be included with filings before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The petition must be filed in the child's county by a parent, managing conservator, or guardian.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CHILD NAME CHANGE CHECKLIST FOR PRO SE LITIGANTS

How may parties contact Judge Gary W. Chaney's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications. Call the Court Coordinator when a case settles or a hearing is no longer needed so the court can reassign the time.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Quirk 10

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Unresolved pretrial or discovery issues support a continuance only when good cause is shown.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CRIMINAL PRETRIAL PREPARATION ORDER

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

A fee is required for covered filings. The party requesting Clerk-provided notice must pay the appropriate fee.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Expunction & Non-disclosure of Criminal Records

Is electronic filing required before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A Criminal Pretrial Preparation Order, Standard Discovery Order, and Standard Mutual Order in Limine will be electronically filed in each criminal case.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Criminal Pretrial Matters

What filing deadlines does Judge Gary W. Chaney set?

Sealed applications must be submitted by noon on October 20, 2025.

View ruleSource: page 1, section TO APPLY FOR THE FELONY APPOINTMENTS IN THE 5O6TH DISTRICT COURT

What rule applies to service for petition before Judge Gary W. Chaney?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Each required nonpetitioner parent, managing conservator, or guardian must be served with citation and an opportunity to answer, or must sign and notarize a proper waiver after the petition is filed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CHILD NAME CHANGE CHECKLIST FOR PRO SE LITIGANTS
Complete rules summary for Judge Gary W. Chaney

When Chapter 62 registration requirements apply, proof of notice to the appropriate local law-enforcement authority must be provided before the court will consider the name change.

A proposed order must be filed, and all preceding checklist requirements completed, before the pro se litigant contacts the Court Coordinator to schedule a court date.

The petition must be filed in the child's county by a parent, managing conservator, or guardian.

The petition must be verified and notarized.

The petition must state the child's present name and residence, the reason for the requested change, the requested full name, any continuing exclusive jurisdiction under Chapter 155, and any Chapter 62 sex-offender registration requirement.

A child aged 10 or older must provide written consent, which must be attached to the petition.

Each required nonpetitioner parent, managing conservator, or guardian must be served with citation and an opportunity to answer, or must sign and notarize a proper waiver after the petition is filed.

A written setting request must identify the type of setting and requested date, estimate the court time required, and include the requesting attorney’s standard pleadings signature block; the request may be faxed, mailed, or emailed.

After the Court Coordinator confirms a setting, the requesting attorney must give written notice to opposing counsel, any pro se parties, and the District Clerk, and provide a copy of the notice to the Court Coordinator.

A Certificate of Service must include opposing counsel’s name, address, phone number, and fax number rather than a generic statement that a copy was sent to all opposing counsel; the same rule applies to pro se litigants.

Sealed applications must be submitted by noon on October 20, 2025.

The envelope containing the application must be marked “Indigent Attomey Application.”

Applicants must use a locally produced form substantially following the attached criminal-case indigent defense application instructions.

Applications must be received at the designated location by the stated deadline; late applications will not be considered for a contract award.

Applications must address the matters in the application instructions, the applicant’s experience, service costs, and other relevant information.

A sample contract may be emailed upon request, and questions may be directed to the judge of the 506th District Court.

A copy of the Application for Bench Warrant must be filed on opposing counsel in accordance with the applicable rules.

After the Court signs a bench warrant, its original must be filed with the Clerk for preparation and delivery to the proper authorities.

A requesting party should allow at least ten days of lead time for issuance of a bench warrant when an inmate is being brought in from a TDCJ facility.

The petition must allege the necessary elements, and proof of those elements must be presented when the court considers the petition.

The court may not hear an expunction or nondisclosure matter until at least 30 days after the petition is filed.

The hearing date is the earliest available bench-trial date after 30 days from filing.

Having the District Clerk provide the statutory notices is the preferred and most efficient notice procedure.

At the petitioner's option, notice may be sent to each listed entity by certified mail-RRR, secure email, or fax.

A party providing notice must file all appropriate delivery receipts to substantiate the notice.

A party may request the Clerk to provide and file proof of statutory notice after paying the applicable fee.

The party requesting Clerk-provided notice must pay the appropriate fee.

Reasonable notice of the hearing date must be given to every official, agency, or other entity named in the petition, regardless of who provides the notice.

The petitioner must identify every official, agency, or other entity entitled to notice.

Without an objection or Assistant District Attorney approval, the petitioner may submit the order for approval using a five-day Notice of Submission after all required time has passed.