Williamson County Courts at Law Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Original petition

A copy of this order must accompany each divorce or original parent-child petition; a filing without it will be returned, but the Clerk will add the order and accept a self-represented litigant’s filing.

7.1. The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the Original Petition of Every Divorce Suit and Every Original Suit Affecting Parent Child Relationship. If order is not attached, the filing will be returned with the stated reason: "Williamson County requires the WILLIAMSON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES be attached to the Original Petition of every Divorce and every Original Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship. Please attach with petition and resubmiti If a self-represented litigant files a Divorce or an Original Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship, the Clerk will add and accept the filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Inventory and appraisement

Each party must file a sworn inventory and appraisement of the parties’ property, including property belonging to their children, within 50 days of the appearance date.

Within fifty days of appearance date, each party shall file with the District Clerk, a copy being furnished to the Judge, opposing Counsel and pro se parties, a sworn inventory and appraisement of all property (both separate and community) of the parties, including any property belonging to children of the parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Wage assignment documents

The party receiving child support must complete all documents required by the District Clerk's office for the wage assignment order.

The party receiving child support shall complete all necessary documents with the District Clerk’s office for the wage assignment order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Vital statistics forms and clerk documents

The person preparing a final family-law order for the judge must also complete the vital-statistics forms and other documents required by the District Clerk's office.

The party who is responsible for preparing any final order in a family law case for the judge to sign is also responsible for completing any vital statistics forms and other documents required by the District Clerk’s office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Lead attorney designation

If more than one attorney represents a defendant, the lead attorney must file a designation 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

Motion

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 indicating 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

Support order or decree

An order or decree requiring spousal or child support payments must direct payment through the Attorney General’s Child Support Disbursement Unit unless otherwise directed.

Every order or decree requiring such support payment shall require all payments be made through the Attorney General’s Office, Child Support Disbursement Unit, unless otherwise directed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal notice

After leave to withdraw is granted, the withdrawing 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

Pre trial statement

A pre-trial statement must set forth unresolved issues, proposed jury charges, stipulations, and the matters to be considered in the Rule 166 pre-trial; the text is incomplete in this excerpt.

A pre-trial statement setting forth unresolved issues, proposed jury charges, and stipulations and all matters to be considered in a Rule 166 pre-trial

CRITICAL

An attorney of record must present a motion and obtain a court order granting leave before withdrawing.

No attorney of record shall be permitted to withdraw from any case without presenting a motion and obtaining from the Court an order granting leave to withdraw pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 10.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support agreement or proposed support decision and information

If the parties agree on all support issues and the hearing remains on the Court's docket when the forms are due, they must deliver to the Court Administrator either their signed written agreement or one jointly signed Proposed Support Decision and Information stating their agreement.

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 Administrator 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

Withdrawal notice letter

The client letter must advise the client of the 10-day written objection period and that the motion will be granted if no objection is raised.

The letter required under TRCP shall be sent to the client advising that the client has ten (10) days after the date of the mailing of the letter to make any objection to such withdrawal to the Court, in writing, and that if not done and no objection raised, the motion shall be granted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Withdrawal notice

The client must receive a letter advising that a written objection to withdrawal must be made to the Court within ten days after the letter is mailed, or the motion will be granted if no objection is raised.

The letter required under TRCP shall be sent to the client advising that the client has ten (10) days after the date of the mailing of the letter to make any objection to such withdrawal to the Court, in writing, and that if not done and no objection raised, the motion shall be granted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court appointed counsel application

An attorney seeking placement on the appointment list must submit the approved application and complete and submit the application and qualifications required by the County’s Indigent Defense Plan.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of conclusion of bankruptcy

Once bankruptcy proceedings conclude, the party or counsel must promptly file notice of the conclusion with the appropriate clerk.

Once a bankruptcy has been concluded, the party or the party’s counsel and shall promptly file with the appropriate clerk notice of conclusion of the bankruptcy.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Wage assignment documents

The party receiving child support must complete all documents required by the District Clerk's office for the wage assignment order.

The party receiving child support shall complete all necessary documents with the District Clerk’s office for the wage assignment order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Domestic relations order

The party receiving a portion of another party's retirement benefit through a domestic relations order must present the order when the divorce decree is signed.

The party who is to receive a portion of another party's retirement benefit through a domestic relations order is responsible to present the order, at the time the decree of divorce is signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court appointed counsel application

Attorneys seeking placement on the court-appointed counsel list must submit the approved application and complete and submit the application and qualifications required by the County’s Indigent Defense Plan.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

For an unopposed motion, the moving party must submit a proposed order signed by counsel for all parties affected, 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

Upon employment, defense counsel must give written notice to the District Attorney, District Clerk, and Court Coordinator in the court where the case is filed.

Upon employment, the Defense Attorney shall give written notice thereof to the District Attorney, the District Clerk and the Court Coordinator in the Court in which the case is filed.

CRITICAL

An attorney of record may not withdraw without presenting a motion and obtaining a court order granting leave.

No attorney of record shall be permitted to withdraw from any case without presenting a motion and obtaining from the Court an order granting leave to withdraw pursuant to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 10.

CRITICAL

Before trial begins, counsel must certify to the Court that ADR did not resolve the dispute.

Counsel must certify to the Court that they were unable to resolve the dispute by any ADR procedure before trial commences.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Qualified domestic relations order

The party receiving a portion of another party's retirement benefit must present the domestic relations order when the divorce decree is signed.

The party who is to receive a portion of another party's retirement benefit through a domestic relations order is responsible to present the order, at the time the decree of divorce is signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final family law order

The party preparing a final family-law order for the judge must also complete required vital statistics forms and other District Clerk documents.

The party who is responsible for preparing any final order in a family law case for the judge to sign is also responsible for completing any vital statistics forms and other documents required by the District Clerk’s office.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cover sheet

Every transmission must include a cover sheet identifying the sender, documents, and page count, with instructions for other requests and complete payment-authorization information.

A cover sheet must accompany every transmission which shall: a) clearly identify the sender, the documents being transmitted, and the number of pages; b) have clear and concise instructions concerning issuance of other requests; and c) have complete information on the payment authorization for court costs and fees.

CRITICAL

Upon employment, defense counsel must notify the County Attorney, County Clerk, and the relevant Court Coordinator.

Upon employment, the Defense Attorney shall give notice thereof to the County Attorney, to the County Clerk and the Court Coordinator in the Court in which the case is filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed support decision and information

temporary spousal support, each party shall deliver to the opposing party if known, and to the Court, a Proposed Support Decision and Information, fully completed and in the form attached to these Rules as Exhibit "A".

temporary spousal support, each party shall deliver to the opposing party if known, and to the Court, a Proposed Support Decision and Information, fully completed and in the form attached to these Rules as Exhibit "A".

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support recipient information

The party receiving support must provide the Williamson County 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

Proposed support decision and information

For a trial to determine child or spousal support, each party must deliver a fully completed Proposed Support Decision and Information in the Exhibit B 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 days prior to the date set for a trial on the merits before a Judge to determine an amount of child or spousal support, each party shall deliver to the opposing party and to the Court Coordinator of the Court in which the case is filed a Proposed Support Decision and Information, fully completed and in the form attached to these Rules as Exhibit “B".

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed support decision

In a suit determining child support or spousal maintenance, each party must prepare and deliver a completed, signed proposed support decision using Exhibit E, or the parties may submit one agreed decision signed by both.

In a suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Support Decision using the form attached hereto as Exhibit “E”, fully completed, and signed by the party, or a single Agreed Proposed Support Decision signed by both parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Vacation designation

A written vacation designation must be filed with the Clerk and copied to all Court Coordinators at least 90 days before the vacation.

The written designation must be filed with the Clerk with a copy to all Court Coordinators no less than ninety (90) days in advance of the vacation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial matter pleading

Must include

local rule certificate, 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; the Court Administrator will not set the matter for hearing without one.

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." 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

Order retaining case

An order retaining a case must include a line for the trial date.

Counsel must include a line for a trial date in the order retaining the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order relief of counsel

An attorney remains counsel of record until the Court relieves the attorney by written order.

An attorney remains the attorney of record for a defendant until relieved by written order of the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to modify conservatorship

A movant seeking modification under Texas Family Code section 156.006(b)(1) must file the motion with an accompanying affidavit and use the specified title.

Movant shall file the motion to modify and accompanying affidavit. The title of the Motion shall be “Motion to Modify Conservatorship Pursuant to TFC Sec. 156.006(b)(1)”.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed disposition of issues

If the parties agree on community property and debt division and the trial setting remains on the docket, they must deliver the Court Coordinator either their signed written agreement or a single Proposed Disposition of Issues stating their agreement and signed by both parties.

If the parties have an agreement on issues pertaining to the division of community property and community debt, and the trial on the merits on the Court's docket setting remains at the time the parties are required to deliver the Proposed Disposition of Issues, the parties shall deliver to the Court Coordinator either a signed copy of their written agreement or a single Proposed Disposition of Issues stating their agreement and signed by both parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Expert witness designation

Each expert witness designation must include the information listed in Rule 194.2(f).

The designation must include the information listed in Rule 194.2(f).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to modify conservatorship

For a modification under Texas Family Code section 156.006(b)(1), the movant must file the motion with an accompanying affidavit and use the specified motion title.

Movant shall file the motion to modify and accompanying affidavit. The title of the Motion shall be “Motion to Modify Conservatorship Pursuant to TFC Sec. 156.006(b)(1)”.

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

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 division, unless both parties use a single 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

Order retaining case

An order retaining a case must include a line for the trial date.

Counsel must include a line for a trial date in the order retaining the case.

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 the 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

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

Proposed support decision

In a suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, each party must prepare and deliver a completed, signed Proposed Support Decision using Exhibit E, or the parties may submit one agreed decision signed by both.

In a suit requiring a determination of child support or spousal maintenance, each party shall prepare and deliver a Proposed Support Decision using the form attached hereto as Exhibit “E”, fully completed, and signed by the party, or a single Agreed Proposed Support Decision signed by both parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Support agreement or proposed support decision and information

If the parties agree on all support issues and the hearing remains on the docket when the forms are due, they must deliver to the Court Administrator either their signed written agreement or one agreed Proposed Support Decision and Information form 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 Administrator 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

Order granting withdrawal

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

Proposed disposition of issues

Each party must prepare and deliver a Proposed Disposition of Issues stating uncovered trial decisions in brief complete sentences and 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 information

The party receiving support must provide the information required by the District Clerk's office.

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

Expert witness designation

An expert witness designation must include the information listed in Rule 194.2(f).

The designation must include the information listed in Rule 194.2(f).

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.