Judge Ryan Larson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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Document Format Requirements2 rules
Each exhibit file name must identify the presenting party, exhibit number, and provide a very brief description.
The file name should contain three things: Party presenting the exhibit, a number, and a very brief description.
Each exhibit must be placed in a separate file and marked sequentially with numbers.
Each exhibit should be in a file of its own and marked sequentially using numbers.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
The pro se litigant must prepare and file a case-appropriate proposed divorce decree completed in its entirety; an incomplete decree will be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted.
Divorce Decree. The proposed decree that applies to your case must be filed with the District Clerk’s Office. You are required to prepare your own decree and ensure it is filled out in its entirety. If you fail to do so, your decree will be rejected, and you will be required to submit a corrected decree.
Document Type
Proposed Decree
A pro se litigant must file the Statement of Evidence applicable to the case to provide written testimony.
Statement of Evidence. You must provide written testimony by filing the Statement of Evidence that applies to your case. Forms can be found on the 395th District Court website under the “Documents” tab.
Document Type
Statement Of Evidence
Attorneys on the appointment list must annually file a Certificate of Compliance attesting to required CLE by November 1, or submit qualifying board-certification documentation.
All attorneys on the appointment list shall file by November 1st of each year the “Certificate of Compliance” with the designated Williamson County Court Coordinator attesting to the completion of the required CLE or submit documentation showing that the attorney is board-certified in family law and/or child welfare law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization or other certifying organization recognized as such by the State Bar of Texas.
Document Type
Certificate Of Compliance
An appointed attorney seeking payment or reimbursement for inadequately compensated tasks or expenses must file an ex parte motion under oath that fully states the request's basis and includes particularized supporting documentation.
7.3 Procedure for Pre-approval of Alternative Fee Calculation for Certain Fees and Expenses. If an attorney who has been appointed to represent an indigent person by a Williamson County District or County Court at Law believes certain tasks or expenses are required to adequately represent an indigent client, and such are not adequately compensated by the Fixed Fees identified as presumptively reasonable and necessary in the applicable fee schedule, the attorney shall file an ex parte motion under oath with the Court seeking pre-approval to be paid and/or reimbursed for such tasks and/or expenses under the Alternative Fee Calculation articulated in 6.2.1, above. The motion must fully and completely set forth the basis for the request, compliant with 6.5.3, 6.6 and/or 6.7 above, and be accompanied by documentation that makes a particularized showing with respect to any factual basis supporting the motion.
Document Type
Ex Parte Motion For Alternative Fee Pre-Approval
Each payment request must include a sworn attorney certification covering the accuracy, reasonableness, necessity, actual incurrence, and rule compliance of the claimed time and expenses, and constitutes acceptance of and willingness to follow the CPS Local Rules.
7.5 Each request for payment must include a sworn certification by the attorney seeking payment that the request truthfully and accurately represents time spent on the identified matter(s), that the time spent was reasonable and necessary, that expenses for which reimbursement is sought were reasonable and actually incurred on the identified matter(s), and that the request complies with the CPS Local Rules and fee schedule of Williamson County in effect at the time the services were rendered or expenses incurred. Each request for payment shall also constitute the attorney’s acceptance of the CPS Local Rules and willingness to abide by the same.
Document Type
Request For Payment
An invoice for compensation under the Alternative Fee Calculation must reference the court’s authorization and provide a detailed, task-by-task showing itemized to one-tenth of an hour that establishes the services were actually performed, reasonable, and necessary.
In cases where the attorney is authorized to seek compensation under the Alternative Fee Calculation method in 6.2.1, above, the invoice and description of the services for which compensation is sought must reference the court’s authorization for the Alternative Fee Calculation and must be a detailed and particularized showing by task performed, itemized to the tenth (1/10) of an hour, demonstrating that the services for which compensation is sought were actually performed and were reasonable and necessary to the representation under the circumstances of the case.
Document Type
Invoice
Attorney invoices must charge services in one-tenth-hour increments; invoices using quarter-hour or other increments will not be approved.
Services shall be charged on one tenth (1/10) of an hour increments. Invoices for charges reported by or rounded to the quarter hour, or other time increment, shall not be approved.
Document Type
Invoice
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All exhibits must be uploaded through the court's exhibit portal for use by the court and court reporter.
The 395th District Court is a paperless court and utilizes a portal for all exhibits. Exhibits should be named/marked appropriately and then uploaded into the portal for the benefit of the Court and court reporter.
Page 1 | Exhibits for hearings and Trials
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The Original Petition for Divorce must be on file for the required 60-day waiting period, except in limited situations involving family violence.
Petition. The Original Petition for Divorce must be on file with the District Clerk’s Office for the required 60-day waiting period, except in limited situations involving family violence.
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Formal service by a sheriff, constable, or private process server requires a copy of the petition, a return of citation on file for 10 days, and expiration of the time to file an answer.
• Respondent has been formally served with the petition (served by a sheriff, constable or private process server with a copy of the petition), the return of citation has been on file for the required 10 days, and the time for filing an answer has expired.
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants
Service may be effected by the respondent filing a written response or answer with the District Clerk’s Office.
• Respondent filed a written response / answer with the District Clerk’s Office; or
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants
The spouse must be served with the petition through one of the listed methods.
Service. Your spouse must be served with the petition through one of the following methods:
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants
Service may be effected by the respondent signing and filing a waiver of service with the District Clerk’s Office.
• Respondent signed and filed a waiver of service with the District Clerk’s Office;
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants
Subpoenas must be served through the Williamson County District Clerk or Constables Offices, with private-process-server service and related fee reimbursement permitted only if the court pre-approves the service.
7.1.2 Service of Subpoena. Subpoenas shall be served through the Williamson County District Clerk and Constables Offices and not through private process servers. A reimbursement for fees associated with service of subpoena using private process servers is not a permissible expense, unless service is pre-approved by the court.
Page 15 | 7.1.2 Service of Subpoena
Chambers Communication Rules
After completing the checklist steps, the litigant must call or email the Court Administrator so the filings can be reviewed and sent to Judge Larson’s electronic queue.
Contact. Please call (512-943-1395) or email (kmarrou@wilco.org) the Court Administrator, Kayla Marrou, after you have completed all the above steps, so she can review your filings and send them to Judge Larson’s electronic queue.
Page 1 | Agreed Divorce Checklist for Pro Se Litigants