Williamson County Courts at Law Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support information form

The support-information form instructs the filer to attach the most recent pay stub from each employer.

Attach most recent pay stub from each employer

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order substituting counsel

A motion to substitute counsel may be granted without a hearing if the order is signed by the defendant and both incoming and outgoing attorneys.

Motions to Substitute Counsel will be granted without hearing if the order is signed by the defendant as well as the incoming and outgoing attorneys.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery checklist

The District Attorney’s office will provide a checklist of discovery materials provided to the defense, and the list will be filed with the Court upon completion of discovery.

To encourage the expeditious disposal of cases, to promote judicial economy, and without the diluting the rights of Defendants and in the interest of justice, the District Attorney's office will provide a check list of discovery material provided to the defense attorney and the list will be filed with the Court upon completion of discovery.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement conference certification

Must include

certificate of conference

The parties must certify in writing to the Judge that a settlement conference was held by 5:00 p.m. seven days before the date set.

Settlement Conference Certification. Before 5:00 p.m. on the date that is seven (7) days prior to the date set, the parties shall certify in writing to the Judge that a settlement conference has been held.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing

Must include

ai disclosure

Self-represented litigants and attorneys using AI for case-related research or drafting must verify AI-generated information and submit and attach the signed AI-use certificate to any filing using it.

As a result, 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 AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, ensure that such information is accurate and correctly portrayed to the court, and shall sign and submit the Certificate Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Exhibit A) and attach it to any filing where AI-generated information is used.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal order

The order granting withdrawal must include all current court settings and deadlines.

All current court settings and deadlines shall be included in the order granting the withdrawal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery checklist

The District Attorney's office must provide defense counsel a checklist of discovery material provided informally, and the checklist must be filed with the Court when discovery is complete.

To encourage the expeditious disposal of cases, to promote judicial economy, and without the diluting the rights of Defendants and in the interest of justice, the District Attorney's office will provide a check list of discovery material provided informally to the Defense Attorney and the list will be filed with the Court upon completion of discovery.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Wage assignment order

The party receiving support through a wage assignment must complete and file all documents required by the District Clerk for forwarding wage assignments with the wage assignment order.

The party is also responsible for having all documents required by the District Clerk for forwarding wage assignments completed and filed with the wage assignment order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Without an entry hearing, an order must bear all attorneys’ signatures as to form or proof that it was presented to the attorneys requesting an opportunity to object within 10 days.

Absent an entry hearing, the Court will not sign an order that does not contain either the signature of all attorneys as to form or proof of notice that said order has been presented to all attorneys of record requesting same to file written objections within ten (10) days.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial statement

If the parties cannot agree on a joint pre-trial statement, they must submit separate statements.

If the parties are unable to agree on a joint pre-trial statement then separate submission is required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of lead attorney

When more than one attorney represents a defendant, the lead attorney must file a designation of lead attorney with the Court.

In the event more than one attorney represents a defendant, then the lead attorney shall file with the Court a designation of lead attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Wage assignment order

The party receiving child support through a wage assignment must present the wage assignment order to the judge when the specified order or decree is signed.

The party receiving child support through a wage assignment is responsible for presenting the wage assignment order to the judge, at the time an order in a suit affecting parent-child relationship, decree of divorce, or order modifying a prior order is signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Post withdrawal notice letter

After leave to withdraw is granted, the attorney must send the client, Court, and opposing counsel a letter stating the client’s last known address and any settings.

After leave is granted, the withdrawing attorney shall send his client, the Court, and opposing counsel a letter notifying of the last known address of his client and of any settings.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

For an unopposed motion or special exception, the moving party must submit a proposed order signed by counsel for all affected parties to indicate approval.

If the motion or special exception will not be opposed, the moving party shall submit a proposed order signed by a Counsel for all parties affected the order indicating approval of same.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

certificate of conference

For an opposed motion, the moving party must place one of the specified certificates at the end of the pleading; the Court Administrator will not set the pre-trial matter for hearing without one.

If the motion will be opposed, the moving party shall include at the end of his pleading one of the following certificates: i. “A conference was held on (date) with (name), attorney for opposing party, on the substance of this motion. We are not able to agree; therefore, the matter is presented to the Court for determination," or ii. “I was unable to reach Opposing Counsel, (name), to confer about the merits of this matter, after the following attempts: (briefly state the dates and nature of the unsuccessful attempts to contact Opposing Counsel),” or iii. In multi-party cases, "Before setting this matter for hearing, I attempted to resolve this dispute by sending the attached letter to all counsel of record.” The Court Administrator will not set any pre-trial matter for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the foregoing certificates.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written order setting temporary orders hearing

The movant must obtain the written order setting the temporary orders hearing.

Movant shall be responsible for obtaining the written order setting the temporary orders hearing pursuant to TFC 156.006(b)(1).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ai certification

The AI-use certification states that the signer will comply with the Standing Order and that all generative-AI contributions were verified using traditional legal sources before submission.

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 this Court verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial matter

Must include

certificate of conference

A pre-trial matter will not be set for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the specified certificates.

The Court Coordinator will not set any pre-trial matter for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the foregoing certificates.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of lead attorney

When more than one attorney represents a defendant, the lead attorney must file a designation of lead attorney with the Court.

event more than one attorney represents a defendant, than the lead attorney shall file with the Court a designation of lead attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial forms

Each party must bring a printed copy of the forms to present to the judge at the hearing.

Each party shall bring a printed copy of the forms to present to the judge at the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Without an entry hearing, an order must include all attorneys’ signatures as to form or proof that it was presented to all attorneys of record with a request for written objections within 10 days.

Absent an entry hearing, the Court will not sign an order that does not contain either the signature of all attorneys as to form or proof of notice that said order has been presented to all attorneys of record requesting same to file written objections within ten (10) days.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to substitute counsel

A substitution motion may be granted without a hearing only if the order is signed by the defendant and both incoming and outgoing counsel; a withdrawal or substitution motion that causes delay requires a hearing.

Motions to substitute Counsel will be granted without hearing if the order is signed by the Defendant as well as the incoming and outgoing Attorneys. A motion to withdraw or for substitution of Counsel that causes delay requires a hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Unopposed motion or special exception

Must include

proposed order

For an unopposed motion or special exception, the moving party must submit a proposed order signed by counsel for all affected parties to indicate approval.

If the motion or special exception will not be opposed, the moving party shall submit a proposed order signed by a Counsel for all parties affected the order indicating approval of same.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed disposition of issues

For a divorce trial, each party must deliver a fully completed Proposed Disposition of Issues in the Exhibit A form to the opposing party and Court Coordinator by 5:00 p.m. seven days before trial.

Before 5:00 p.m. on the date that is seven (7) days prior to the date set for a trial on the merits for any divorce trial, each party shall deliver to the opposing party and to the Court Coordinator of the Court in which the case is filed a Proposed Disposition of Issues, fully completed and in the form attached as Exhibit "A" to these Rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed support decision and information

If the parties agree on all support issues and the setting remains on the docket, they must deliver the Court Coordinator either their signed written agreement or a single Proposed Support Decision and Information stating their agreement and signed by both parties.

If the parties have an agreement on all issues pertaining to support, and the setting remains on the Court's docket at the time when the Proposed Support Decision and Information forms must be delivered, the parties shall deliver to the Court Coordinator either a signed copy of their written agreement or a single Proposed Support Decision and Information stating their agreement and signed by both parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed property division

In a divorce suit, each party must prepare and deliver a completed, signed Proposed Property Division using Exhibit D or another form clearly identifying the requested property division; alternatively, both parties may submit one agreed division signed by both.

In a divorce suit, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Property Division using the form attached hereto as Exhibit “D”, or other form which clearly identifies the division of property being requested by the party, fully completed, and signed by the party, or a single Agreed Proposed Division, signed by both parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

proposed order

For an unopposed motion, the moving party must submit a proposed order signed by counsel for all affected parties, agreeing to its form and substance.

If the motion will not be opposed, the moving party shall submit a proposed order signed by Counsel for all parties affected by the order agreeing to the order as to form and substance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Opposed motion or special exception

Must include

certificate of conference

For an opposed motion or special exception, the pleading must end with one of the specified certificates, and the Court Coordinator will not set the matter for hearing without one, subject to the stated exceptions.

If the motion or special exception will be opposed, the moving party shall include at the end of his pleading one of the following certificates: 1) “A conference was held on (date) with (name), Attorney for opposing party, on the substance of this motion or special exception. We are not able to agree, therefore, the matter is presented to the Court for determination,” or 2) “I was unable to reach opposing Counsel, (name), to confer about the merits of this matter, after the following attempts: (briefly state the dates and nature of the unsuccessful attempts to contact opposing Counsel).” or 3) In multi-party cases, “Before setting this matter for hearing, I attempted to resolve this dispute by sending the attached letter to all Counsel of record.” The Court Coordinator will not set any pre-trial matter for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the foregoing certificates. This rule does not apply to cases in which no opposing Attorney has entered an appearance, or to matters involving family violence, habeas corpus, attachment, contempt of court, or temporary orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Must include

certificate of conference

For an opposed motion or special exception, the moving party must place one of the specified certificates at the end of the pleading.

If the motion or special exception will be opposed, the moving party shall include at the end of his pleading one of the following certificates: i. “A conference was held on (date) with (name), attorney for opposing party, on the substance of this motion or special exception. We are not able to agree; therefore, the matter is presented to the Court for determination," or ii. “I was unable to reach Opposing Counsel, (name), to confer about the merits of this matter, after the following attempts: (briefly state the dates and nature of the unsuccessful attempts to contact Opposing Counsel).” or iii. In multi-party cases, "Before setting this matter for hearing, I attempted to resolve this dispute by sending the attached letter to all Counsel of record.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial matter

Must include

certificate of conference

The Court Administrator will not set a pre-trial matter for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the specified certificates.

The Court Administrator will not set any pre-trial matter for hearing unless it is accompanied by one of the foregoing certificates.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to modify conservatorship

Must include

proposed order

Movant shall present to the Court a proposed order setting hearing.

Movant shall present to the Court a proposed order setting hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Itemized order

The attorney and guardian ad litem must submit an itemized request for reasonable and necessary fees and expenses no later than ten days after the final ruling.

Not later than ten days after the date of the final ruling, the attorney and guardian ad litem shall submit an itemized order for the Court’s consideration, seeking reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Wage assignment order

The party receiving child support through wage assignment must present the wage assignment order to the judge when the specified order or decree is signed.

The party receiving child support through a wage assignment is responsible for presenting the wage assignment order to the judge, at the time an order in a suit affecting parent-child relationship, decree of divorce, or order modifying a prior order is signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronically transmitted document

The sender must retain the document’s original bearing the original signature as required by the cited statute.

The sender shall maintain the original of the document with original signature affixed as required by Section 51.806, Texas Government Code.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or special exception

Must include

proposed order

For an unopposed motion or special exception, the moving party must submit a proposed order signed by counsel for all affected parties to indicate approval.

If the motion or special exception will not be opposed, the moving party shall submit a proposed order signed by Counsel for all parties affected by the order indicating approval of same.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Filing using ai generated information

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and self-represented litigants using AI for legal research or drafting must verify AI-generated information before using it and submit and attach the required certificate to any filing using that information.

As a result, 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 AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, ensure that such information is accurate and correctly portrayed to the court, and shall sign and submit the Certificate Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Exhibit A) and attach it to any filing where AI-generated information is used.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support recipient information

The support recipient must provide the District Clerk's office with the information it requires.

The party who is to receive support shall provide to the Williamson County District Clerk's office the information required by that office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court appointed counsel application

An attorney seeking placement on the appointed-counsel list must submit the required completed application and qualifications and obtain approval by a majority of the County Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

To be on the list, the attorney must submit the approved application, be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and a member of the Williamson County Bar Association. In addition, the application and qualifications made part of the County’s Indigent Defense Plan must be completed and submitted. The attorney application must be approved by the consent of the majority of County Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

For an opposed motion or special exception, the moving party must include one of the specified certificates at the end of the pleading.

If the motion or special exception will be opposed, the moving party shall include at the end of Movant’s pleading one of the following certificates: 1) “A conference was held on (date) with (name), Attorney for opposing party, on the substance of this motion or special exception. We are not able to agree, therefore, the matter is presented to the Court for determination," or 2) “I was unable to reach opposing Counsel, (name), to confer about the merits of this matter, after the following attempts: (briefly state the dates and nature of the unsuccessful attempts to contact opposing Counsel).” or 3) In multi-party cases, "Before setting this matter for hearing, I attempted to resolve this dispute by sending the attached letter to all Counsel of record.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed docket control order

The parties in a non-family civil case must submit an agreed docket control order.

Within 120 days after the answer date of the last defendant served in a non-family civil case, the parties shall submit an agreed docket control order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designation of lead attorney

When more than one attorney represents a defendant, the lead attorney must file a designation with the Court.

In the event more than one attorney represents a Defendant, than the lead Attorney shall file with the Court a designation of lead Attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Application

To be placed on the appointment list, an attorney must meet the Plan’s qualifications, submit the approved application, and obtain approval from a majority of District Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

To be on the list an attorney must meet the qualifications set forth in the Plan, submit the approved application, and that application must be approved by the majority of District Court Judges hearing criminal cases.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Itemized order

The attorney and guardian ad litem must submit an itemized order seeking reasonable and necessary fees and expenses within ten days after the final ruling.

Not later than ten days after the date of the final ruling, the attorney and guardian ad litem shall submit an itemized order for the Court’s consideration, seeking reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to modify conservatorship

Must include

proposed order

Movant shall present to the Court a proposed order setting hearing.

Movant shall present to the Court a proposed order setting hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed disposition of issues

Each party must prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Issues stating the remaining requested trial decisions in brief, complete sentences using Exhibit F.

Each party shall also prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Issues, which shall state separately in brief complete sentences each trial decision that is sought by the party that is not covered by the Proposed Property Division or Proposed Support Decision using the form attached hereto as Exhibit “F”.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support order or decree

An order or decree requiring support payments must direct payment through the specified Child Support Disbursement Unit unless otherwise directed.

Every order or decree requiring such support payment shall require all payments be made through the Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 659791, San Antonio, Texas 78265-9791, unless otherwise directed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed support decision information

The proposed support decision information must include the most recent pay stub from each employer.

ACTUAL DEDUCTIONS PER MONTH – attach most recent pay stub from each employer

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support order or decree

An order or decree requiring support payments must direct payment through the specified Child Support Disbursement Unit unless otherwise directed.

Every order or decree requiring such support payment shall require all payments be made through the Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 659791, San Antonio, Texas 78265-9791, unless otherwise directed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court appointed counsel application

An attorney seeking placement on the court-appointed counsel list must submit an application with contact information, proof of licensure and bar membership in good standing, and completed Indigent Defense Plan application and qualifications; a judge may still appoint any qualified attorney.

a) Qualifications. The Court Coordinators of the District Courts shall maintain a list of Attorneys available for appointment to represent indigent Defendants in criminal cases. To be on the list the Attorney must volunteer by submitting an application providing the name, address and telephone number, together with proof that he or she is licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and a member in good standing of the Williamson County Bar Association. In addition, the application and qualifications made part of the County’s Indigent Defense Plan must be completed and submitted. This rule does not limit a Judge's authority to appoint any qualified Attorney to represent an indigent Defendant should the Judge deem it appropriate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Must include

ai disclosure

The AI certification states that the signer reviewed and will comply with the Standing Order and verified AI-generated or AI-contributed information against traditional legal sources before submitting it.

I, an attorney or self-represented litigant in the ________ Judicial District Court/County Court at Law # _________, 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 this Court verified as accurate using traditional (non-AI) legal sources.