Zavala County District Court, Texas Document Filing Requirements

Civil cases

Must include

certificate of service

Filers must provide a certificate of service that complies with applicable rules.

Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.

Civil cases

Applies to

Petition

If the petitioner omits the order, the clerk must attach it to the petition and every copy presented at filing and tax the copy costs to the petitioner.

At the time the petition is filed, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented, and shall tax the costs of said copies to the Petitioner.

Applies to

Vacation notice

In civil cases not specially set, an attorney who files written vacation notice at least 90 days in advance, with copies to relevant county clerks, may not be put to trial for up to four consecutive weeks in a year; a judge may recognize a different vacation period.

RULE 11. ATTORNEY VACATION. In civil cases not specially set, an attorney may not be put to trial for a period not to exceed four consecutive weeks of a given year if he or she has, in writing, filed with the appropriate clerk of the county of his residence, with a copy to the appropriate clerk of any other county where he or she has pending cases, at least 90 days in advance, notice of his or her vacation period. At his or her discretion, a judge may recognize another time for the designated vacation period.

Civil cases

Applies to

Petition

The initiating party must attach a copy of the order to the original petition and each copy served on the other parties.

The party who initiates any cause of action shall attach a copy of this order to the original and each copy of their petition to be served on the other parties in the case.

Civil cases

Applies to

Certificate of conference

The emergency certificate form requires at least one personal contact attempt and a statement that further delay would cause irreparable harm, with details of the contact and emergency.

- (3) "Counsel for Movant has personally attempted to contact Counsel for Respondent on at least one occasion. An emergency exists of such a nature that further delay would cause irreparable harm to the Movant, as follows: (Provide dates, times, method of contact, result, details of emergency and harm) Signed on this ___ day of _____, 20____, by _____

Applies to

Setting request

A setting request must be written and signed by counsel, submitted to the clerk or court administrator, and certify the specified discovery and trial-readiness facts.

A party requesting a setting shall certify by request in writing, signed by counsel, to the clerk of court or court administrator with copy to opposing counsel or party where there is not counsel, that all depositions have been taken, that discovery has been completed or that the party requesting the setting has tendered his client for deposition at least 20 days prior to such request; and that the case is ready for trial.

Civil cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

No Counsel for a party shall file, nor shall any clerk accept for filing, any Motion except a Motion for Summary Judgment, a Plea to the Jurisdiction, or any other Motion that would be dispositive of the case, unless accompanied with a "Certificate of Conference" signed by Counsel for Movant in one of the forms set out below.

No Counsel for a party shall file, nor shall any clerk accept for filing, any Motion except a Motion for Summary Judgment, a Plea to the Jurisdiction, or any other Motion that would be dispositive of the case, unless accompanied with a "Certificate of Conference" signed by Counsel for Movant in one of the forms set out below.

Civil cases

Applies to

Certificate of conference

One permitted Certificate of Conference form states that counsel personally conferred, substantively discussed every item in the motion, and could not resolve the matters despite best efforts.

- (1) "Counsel for Movant and Counsel for Respondent have personally conducted a conference at which there was a substantive discussion of every item presented to the Court in this Motion and despite best efforts the Counsel for the affected parties have not been able to resolve those matters presented. Signed on this ___ day of _____, 20____, by _____."

Civil cases

Applies to

Certificate of conference

One permitted certificate form must state the contact dates, times, methods, and results, and that opposing counsel received the proposed motion and did not respond or attempt resolution after at least three subsequent contact attempts.

- (2) "Counsel for Movant has personally attempted to contact the Counsel for Respondent to resolve the matters presented as follows: (Provide dates, times, methods of contact, results) Counsel for Movant has caused to be delivered to Counsel for Respondent, and Counsel for Respondent has received a copy of the proposed Motion. At least three (3) attempts were made to contact Counsel for Respondent following the receipt by Counsel for Respondent of the proposed Motion. Counsel for Respondent has failed to respond or attempt to resolve the matters presented. Signed on this ___ day of _____, 20____, by _____."

Civil cases

Applies to

Parent child relationship suit information

Each parent must produce the listed financial and insurance information within 30 days of appearing and before any temporary-orders hearing.

Within 30 days of a parent's appearance in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, and before any hearing on temporary orders, each parent shall produce the following: - 4.1 Information sufficient to accurately identify that parent's net resources and ability to pay child support; - 4.2 Copies of income tax returns for the past two years, a financial statement, and current pay stubs; - 4.3 Regarding each child's health insurance: the name of the carrier, the policy number, a copy of the policy and schedule of benefits, a health insurance membership card, and proof of the cost of the child's portion of the premiums; and - 4.4 Regarding each child's dental insurance: the name of the carrier, the policy number, a copy of the policy and schedule of benefits, a dental insurance membership card, and proof of the cost of the child's portion of the premiums.