Wichita County Courts at Law Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A motion lacking the required certificate cannot be set for hearing until the certification is filed.

Any motion omitting such certificate shall not be set for hearing until such certification has been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

For a Rule 11 Agreement, the attorneys must sign the Order and approve it as to form and content.

form, unless it is submitted as a Rule 11 Agreement, in which case the attorneys shall sign the Order, approving it as to form and content.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Email

Emails responding to the Judge’s inquiry must include the sender’s full name, mailing address, telephone number, applicable fax number, and applicable State Bar of Texas number.

Such emails shall include the full name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if applicable) and State Bar of Texas number (if applicable) of the sender.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Record of order of child support

When the Court orders, modifies, or enforces child support, the obligee or the obligee’s attorney must complete a record of order of child support, using a form available from the District Clerk.

Whenever the Court orders the payment of child support, modifies or enforces a child support order, the obligee or the obligee’s attorney shall complete a record of order of child support. Forms shall be available from the District Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and self-represented litigants using AI for legal research or drafting must, before using AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the required certification as an attachment to each AI-generated pleading, verifying the AI-generated content and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions.

All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall, before using any Al-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the form hereinbelow as an attachment to each pleading generated utilizing artificial intelligence, certifying that: 1. All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were before submission verified as accurate through traditional (non-AD legal sources, and 2. That the person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible, and potentially sanctioned, for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply with this Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte order

An ex parte order presented to the court must be accompanied by a copy of the application or motion.

No ex-parte order shall be presented to the court unless accompanied by a copy of the application or motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

The certification states that a human being must verify the accuracy of all information created or contributed to by generative AI using traditional legal sources before submission to the Court.

2. All information created or contributed to by génerative artificial intelligence : - including language, quotations,2 sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis - was before submission. to the Court verified as accurate using traditional (non-artificial intelligence) legal sources by a human being.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arraignment waiver

An arraignment waiver must be in writing and signed by the attorney.

Arraignment may be waived in writing if signed by the attorney

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

All counsel must approve agreed orders as to form and content; other orders require approval as to form.

Agreed orders of any kind shall be approved by all counsel as to form and content. All other orders shall be approved as to form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Must include

ai disclosure

The AI-use certification states that the filer reviewed and will comply with the Standing Order, that a human verified AI-generated information using traditional legal sources before submission, and that noncompliance may result in sanctions or contempt.

I, an attorney or self-represented litigant in the above numbered and titled cause, hereby certify as follows: 1. I reviewed and understand this Court's Standing Order Regarding Artificial Intelligence. I will comply with the Standing Order throughout this case. 2. All information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence - including language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis - was before submission to the Court verified as accurate using traditional (non-artificial intelligence) legal sources by a human being. 3. I understand that I will be held responsible and subject to possible sanctions under Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 10, and the inherent. power of the Court, or for contempt of court, for failing to comply with the Court's Standing Order or this certification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order submitted to the Court must be signed by the submitting attorney; the source text’s additional approval language is incomplete.

Any Order submitted to the Court shall be signed by the attorney submitting the Order, approving the Order as to

CRITICAL

Applies to

Forms containing clerk information

When the Clerk is legally designated to provide information to a third party, the applicable forms must be presented with the judgment for signature and filed with the judgment.

In all cases in which the Clerk is designated by law to provide certain information to a third party, including but not limited to, reports of divorce or annulment of marriage, information on child in suit affecting parent- child relationship and certificate of last known address, the forms containing this information MUST be presented to the Court at the time the judgment is presented for signature, and then filed with the Clerk along with the judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

ai disclosure

Self-represented litigants and attorneys using AI for legal research or drafting must sign and submit the prescribed certification as an attachment to each AI-generated pleading, verifying the AI-generated material and acknowledging responsibility for compliance.

All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall, before using any. Al-generated information in a court submission or proceeding. sign and submit the form hereinbelow as an attachment to each pleading generated utilizing artificial intelligence, certifying that: 1. All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, arid legal analysis created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were before submission verified as accurate through traditional (non-Al) legal sources, and 2. That the person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible, and potentially sanctioned, for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply with this Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Temporary hearing financial disclosure

When temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish a statement of monthly income and expenses.

In all cases in which temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 1. A statement of monthly income and expenses;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A continuance motion must be accompanied by an order setting the motion for a hearing unless all counsel consent in writing and the Court approves.

Unless counsel for all parties consent in writing to the request for a continuance and the same is approved by the Court, a motion must be filed pursuant to Rule 251, et seq. of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended or Article 29.01, et seq. of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as applicable, and the motion must be accompanied by an order setting the motion for a hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

Motions must include a certificate describing unsuccessful resolution efforts by date, action, and method; if an opposing pro se party does not respond, counsel may certify nonresponse, and a motion without the certificate will not be set for hearing until it is filed.

All motions shall contain a certificate by the party filing same that efforts to resolve the dispute without Court intervention have been attempted and failed and shall set forth specifically the efforts taken by date, action and method. If an opposing party is pro se, and that party does not respond to efforts to confer, counsel may certify that the pro se party failed to respond. c. Any motion omitting such certificate shall not be set for hearing until such certification has been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Community supervision order

An order modifying or terminating community supervision may be submitted without a hearing only if opposing counsel and the Community Corrections and Supervision Department approve it and it accompanies the motion; otherwise, the motion must be accompanied by an order setting a hearing.

No order modifying or terminating community supervision shall be submitted to the Court for approval without a hearing unless it has been approved by opposing counsel and the Community Corrections and Supervision Department and is accompanied by the motion requesting the relief granted. If the order has not been approved by opposing counsel and the Community Corrections and Supervision Department, there shall be an order setting the matter to hearing that accompanies the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal notice

If no substitute attorney will appear or the client does not consent, withdrawing counsel must notify the client in writing that the court will be asked to grant withdrawal no sooner than ten days after the notice.

If another attorney is not to be substituted as attorney for the party, or if the party does not consent to the motion to withdraw, the withdrawing attorney shall notify the client in writing that the Court will be requested to sign an order granting the withdrawal on or after ten (10) days following the date of such notice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

The attorney submitting an order must provide all opposing counsel and/or pro se parties with a copy bearing the Clerk’s file stamp.

In all cases, the attorney submitting the Order shall provide to all opposing counsel and/or pro se parties a copy of the Order bearing the Clerk’s file stamp.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order or decree

An order or decree providing for child support payments through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit must include an application for child support services.

Each order or decree which provides for child support to be paid through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit shall include and shall be deemed to include, an application for child support services provided by

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plea information form

The parties must complete the courts’ plea information form when the specific judge requires it.

The Criminal District Attorney and counsel for the defendant shall coordinate the scheduling of pleas with the Court Coordinator, and as required by a specific judge, shall complete a plea information form promulgated by the courts.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury trial setting request

A jury-trial setting request must be written and filed with the Clerk, with a copy delivered to the Court Coordinator and opposing counsel.

Requests for jury trial settings shall be in writing and filed with the Clerk, and a copy shall be delivered to the Court Coordinator and opposing counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Docket control order

The Docket Control Order must set the case deadlines and include a trial setting.

Docket Control Order which shall set the appropriate deadlines for the case and shall include a trial setting.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of completion

Each party who completes the course must file a certificate of completion within 30 days after completing it or before the final hearing on the merits.

Each party completing the course shall file a certificate of completion with the court within thirty (30) days of completion of the course, or prior to the final hearing on the merits of the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Except when responding to a court ruling or order, an order may not be filed without an accompanying motion clearly stating the relief sought and its specific supporting grounds.

Except in response to a ruling or order entered by the Court, no order shall be filed without an accompanying Motion clearly setting forth the relief sought and the specific grounds in support of the relief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Temporary hearing documents

When temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish a monthly income-and-expense statement, specified tax returns, and the listed earnings records.

In all cases in which temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 1. A statement of monthly income and expenses; 2. Copies of that party’s federal income tax returns for the two calendar years prior to the temporary hearing; and/or 3. All payroll statements, pay stubs, W2 forms, and/or 1099 forms which evidence that party’s earnings for the calendar year prior to the temporary hearing and from January 1 of the current year through the date of the temporary hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arraignment waiver

An arraignment waiver must be in writing, signed by the attorney, and filed at least 48 hours before the scheduled arraignment.

Arraignment may be waived in writing if signed by the attorney, and filed at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled arraignment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order may be submitted without a hearing only if opposing counsel approved it and it accompanies the motion for relief; otherwise, the motion must be accompanied by an order setting a hearing.

No order shall be submitted to the Court for approval without a hearing unless it has been approved by opposing counsel and is accompanied by the motion requesting the relief granted. If the order has not been approved by opposing counsel, there shall be an order setting the matter for hearing that accompanies the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Minor settlement order

An order for a minor settlement and investment of proceeds must include the minor’s social security number, physical address, and date of birth.

Any order providing for a minor settlement and the investment of settlement proceeds by the District Clerk shall include the social security number, address (physical address, not a post office box) and date of birth for the minor.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parentage case

Upon filing, a case in which parentage is to be determined is deemed to include an application for Texas Attorney General Title IV-D services, making the Attorney General a necessary party.

All cases involving parentage as an issue to be determined and adjudicated by the Court, whether an action arising in a Suit to Establish or Terminate the Parent Child Relationship, Divorce, or other proceeding, shall, upon filing, be deemed to include an application for Title IV-D services provided by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, pursuant to Chapter 231 of the Texas Family Code, constituting the Attorney General as a necessary party in such case. (This rule shall apply to all cases involving parentage as an issue to be determined and adjudicated by the Courts of Wichita County after the effective date of these rules.)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arraignment waiver

An arraignment waiver must be in writing, signed by the attorney, and filed at least 48 hours before the scheduled arraignment.

Arraignment may be waived in writing if signed by the attorney and filed at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled arraignment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A motion for a continuance must be accompanied by an order setting the motion for hearing, unless the stated written-consent-and-court-approval exception applies.

the motion must be accompanied by an order setting the motion for a hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order submitted to the Court must be signed by the submitting attorney approving it as to form; for a Rule 11 Agreement, the attorneys must sign approving it as to form and content.

Any Order submitted to the Court shall be signed by the attorney submitting the Order, approving the Order as to form, unless it is submitted as a Rule 11 Agreement, in which case the attorneys shall sign the Order, approving it as to form and content.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and self-represented litigants who use AI for legal research or drafting must sign and submit the certification form as an attachment to each AI-generated pleading before using AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding.

All self-represented litigants and attorneys who utilize any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in connection with a case shall, before using any Al-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the form hereinbelow as an attachment to each pleading generated utilizing artificial intelligence, certifying that: 1. All language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence were before submission verified as accurate through traditional (non-AI) legal sources, and 2. That the person understands and acknowledges that they are and will be held responsible, and potentially sanctioned, for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply with this Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Temporary hearing financial disclosure

When temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse or child is at issue, each party must furnish copies of their federal income tax returns for the two calendar years before the temporary hearing.

In all cases in which temporary payment of debts or support of a spouse and/or the child is in issue, each party shall be required to furnish: 2. Copies of that party’s federal income tax returns for the two calendar years prior to the temporary hearing; and/or

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child support order or decree

An order or decree directing child support through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit must include an application for services from the Texas Attorney General.

Each order or decree which provides for child support to be paid through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit shall include and shall be deemed to include, an application for child support services provided by the Texas Attorney General.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Title iv d services application

Upon filing, a case in which parentage is to be determined is deemed to include an application for Title IV-D services, and the Attorney General is a necessary party.

All cases involving parentage as an issue to be determined and adjudicated by the Court, whether an action arising in a Suit to Establish or Terminate the Parent Child Relationship, Divorce, or other proceeding, shall, upon filing, be deemed to include an application for Title IV-D services provided by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, pursuant to Chapter 231 of the Texas Family Code, constituting the Attorney General as a necessary party in such case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plea bargain offer or no offer notice

At least seven days before the Pretrial Conference, the State’s attorney must provide defense counsel a written plea offer or written notice that no offer will be made.

Not later than seven (7) days prior to the Pretrial Conference, the attorney for the State shall provide the attorney for the defendant either a written plea bargain offer or a written notice that the State does not intend to make a plea bargain offer in the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Must include

ai disclosure

The certification states that the filer reviewed and will comply with the AI standing order, that AI-created or contributed information was verified by a human using traditional legal sources before submission, and that noncompliance may result in sanctions.

I, an attorney or self-represented litigant in the above numbered and titled cause, hereby certify as follows: 1. I reviewed and understand this Court's Standing Order Regarding Artificial Intelligence. I will comply with the Standing Order throughout this case: 2. All information created or contributed to by generative artificial intelligence - including language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analysis - was before submission to the Court verified as accurate using traditional (non-artificial intelligence) legal sources by a human being. 3. 1 understand that I will be held responsible and subject to possible sanctions under Texas. Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 10, and the inherent power of the Court, or for contempt of court, for failing to comply with the Court's Standing Order or this certification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Forms containing clerk information

When the Clerk is legally designated to provide information to a third party, the forms containing that information must be presented with the judgment for signature and filed with the Clerk along with the judgment.

In all cases in which the Clerk is designated by law to provide certain information to a third party, including but not limited to, reports of divorce or annulment of marriage, information on child in suit affecting parent- child relationship and certificate of last known address, the forms containing this information MUST be presented to the Court at the time the judgment is presented for signature, and then filed with the Clerk along with the judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sworn inventory and appraisement

In all cases in which the character, value or division of property or debts is in issue, each party shall file, not less than thirty (30) days prior to trial, a sworn inventory and appraisement of all of the separate and community property owned or claimed by the parties and all debts and liabilities owed by the parties.

In all cases in which the character, value or division of property or debts is in issue, each party shall file, not less than thirty (30) days prior to trial, a sworn inventory and appraisement of all of the separate and community property owned or claimed by the parties and all debts and liabilities owed by the parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

All motions shall contain a certificate by the party filing same that efforts to resolve the dispute without Court intervention have been attempted and failed and shall set forth specifically the efforts taken by date, action and method.

All motions shall contain a certificate by the party filing same that efforts to resolve the dispute without Court intervention have been attempted and failed and shall set forth specifically the efforts taken by date, action and method.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plea information form

When the specific judge requires a plea information form, it must be completed and filed with the designated recipients before a plea hearing may be scheduled.

If required by the specific judge, a completed plea information form shall be filed with the District Clerk and the Court Administrator. In the courts requiring a plea information form, no plea hearing shall be scheduled until a completed plea information form has been filed with the proper designee.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte order application

Counsel presenting an ex parte order application must certify in writing at the time it is presented to the Court; the required certification content continues beyond this excerpt.

Counsel presenting any application for an ex parte order shall, at the time the application is presented to the Court, certify in writing that:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An order setting the matter for hearing must accompany the motion.

Department, there shall be an order setting the matter to hearing that accompanies the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte application

Counsel presenting an ex parte application must certify in writing, when presenting it, that the opposing party is unrepresented or that one of the specified notice conditions applies.

Counsel presenting any application for an ex parte order shall, at the time the application is presented to the Court, certify in writing that: 1. to the best of counsel’s knowledge, the party against whom the relief is sought is not represented by counsel; or 2. if the party against whom the relief is sought is represented by counsel, that (i) such counsel has been notified of the application and does not wish to be heard by the Court thereon; or (ii) counsel presenting the application has diligently attempted to notify opposing counsel, has been unable to do so, and the circumstances do not permit additional efforts to give such notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Newly filed family law matter

A copy of the standing order must be attached to any newly filed family law matter to provide notice to all parties.

A copy of this document shall be attached to any newly filed family law matter so as to constitute appropriate notice to all parties of the Court's standing order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Not ready announcement

A “Not Ready” announcement must include the motion for continuance.

Any announcement of “Not Ready” shall be accompanied by a motion for continuance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Composite inventory and appraisement

After the parties’ sworn inventories are filed, the parties must file a composite inventory if property issues remain unresolved.

After each party’s sworn inventory and appraisement has been filed, and if property issues are not completely resolved, the parties shall file a composite inventory and appraisement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Plea information form

Where the specific judge requires a plea information form, counsel must complete and file it with the designated recipients before a plea hearing may be scheduled.

The District Attorney and counsel for the defendant shall coordinate the scheduling of pleas with the Court Administrator, and as required by the specific judge, shall complete a plea information form promulgated by the courts. If required by the specific judge, a completed plea information form shall be filed with the District Clerk and the Court Administrator. In the courts requiring a plea information form, no plea hearing shall be scheduled until a completed plea information form has been filed with the proper designee.