Denton County, TX
All 93 county-scoped rules
Every published instrument scoped to Denton County, newest effective date first. 3 region-wide and 1,248 statewide instruments also apply here — search all three layers together. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Published rules, newest effective date first
Showing 1–50 of 93 · page 1 of 2
Denton County Court at Law No. 2 — Standing Order Regarding Motions for Summary Judgment (2026): no continuances of summary-judgment settings; submission converts to oral hearing the same day on request; proposed orders five days before the hearing and within five days of the ruling
County Court at Law No. 2's standing order on summary-judgment motions (signed 2026; file-marked with the County Clerk Sept. 4, 2026), responding to the amended statutory and rule deadlines for hearing and ruling on summary judgments that cannot be modified by agreement or court order: motions for continuance of a summary-judgment setting are not granted and the only way off the docket is a motion and order withdrawing the motion; a request to convert a submission setting to an oral hearing is granted, with the hearing held the same day the motion was set for submission at a time the court designates; the parties provide proposed orders five days before the hearing, and the prevailing party provides any modified order within five days of the ruling.
Justice Court, Precinct 4 (Denton County) — Public notice: effective Sept. 1, 2026 attorneys, apartments and property management companies must file all pleadings through E-File Texas (no mail, courier, e-mail, in-person or Guide-and-File filings); self-represented individuals exempt; civil filings 30 minutes before closing
Justice Court Precinct 4's page notice (Judge Harris Hughey): effective Sept. 1, 2026 attorneys, apartments and property management companies are required to use E-File Texas for all pleadings — filings by mail, courier, UPS, FedEx, e-mail or in person are not accepted, and pleadings filed through E-File Self-Help (Guide and File) are not accepted; the requirement does not apply to self-represented individuals; civil filings must be filed 30 minutes before closing (hours Monday–Thursday 8–12 and 12:30–4, Friday 10–12 and 12:30–4).
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Administrative Order Regarding Annual Reports of Guardians of the Person (signed May 28, 2026; filed June 3, 2026): the County Clerk collects at least $14 when the annual report is filed ($10 report, $2 order signature, $2 letters), $6 more for a certified copy, and issues new letters of guardianship immediately on the signed approval order; the courts' report form includes a Request for New Letters
The Denton County Probate Courts' standing administrative order on annual reports of guardians of the person (signed May 28, 2026; file-marked with the County Clerk June 3, 2026; effective immediately until countermanded or superseded by statute), applying to every guardianship in which a guardian of the person files an annual report: the County Clerk collects at least $14 in fees when the report is filed — $10 for the annual report of the guardian of the person (Local Gov't Code § 118.052(2)(a)(vi)), $2 signature fee for the order approving the report (§ 118.101(11)) and $2 for issuance of one letter of guardianship (§ 118.101(2)) — plus $6 for a requested certified copy of the approval order (§ 118.052(3)(B)); the courts' annual report forms include a separate Request for New Letters (Exhibit A, attached); on receipt of a signed order approving the annual report the clerk immediately issues letters of guardianship to the guardian of the person; the clerk posts the order among the probate courts' administrative orders and at the courthouse. The attached form sheet notes that letters of guardianship expire a year and four months from the anniversary date and must be updated annually, and that payment is by cash, credit card, money order or cashier's check (no personal checks).
Denton County District Courts — Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (signed May 8, 2026, filed May 11, 2026; supersedes the Oct. 20, 2025 order): every attorney and self-represented litigant who files or appears must sign and submit the certification, with a one-time Uniform Attorney Certification covering all pending and future cases
The Denton County District Courts' re-issued standing order on generative artificial intelligence (signed May 8, 2026 by the presiding judge and all twelve district judges — Shipman, Burgess, Shanklin, McFarling, Hill, Alexander, Johnson, Haertling, Breading, Jones, Dickens, Levonius — and filed with the District Clerk May 11, 2026; it replaces the October 2025 edition, which required a certification only from those who used AI): every attorney and self-represented litigant who files pleadings or documents or otherwise appears in a district court case shall sign and submit the appropriate attached certification, attesting that all AI-created or AI-contributed language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis were verified by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources before submission, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their own, their staff's or co-counsel's non-compliance; the per-case Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence is attached, and a Uniform Attorney Certification lets an attorney certify once for all pending and future cases in any Denton district court and undertake to comply with future versions without further notice (deliverable to the District Clerk by e-mail, fax, mail or hand delivery); the order is effective immediately for all pending and later-filed cases, remains until rescinded or replaced, and the District Clerk files it with the Office of Court Administration and posts it at the courthouse and on the district courts' website.
Denton County Court at Law No. 1 (sitting as Juvenile Court) — Current Standing Orders JV-SO-2022-1 through 2022-12, 2025-1 and 2026-1 (Judge Kimberly McCary)
Judge Kimberly McCary's compiled standing orders for County Court at Law No. 1 sitting as the juvenile court (registered Feb. 18, 2026): all prior standing orders from 2011–March 2022 rescinded (JV-SO-2022-1); attorneys may not give respondents or their parents copies of social histories, psychiatric or psychological reports, behavioral or drug evaluations, Chapter 55 reports or diagnostic studies without prior court permission (2022-2); Probation provides records-sealing information (2022-3); occupational driver's license petitions arising from this court's adjudications are filed and heard here under a new cause number (2022-4); the docket-management order — one appearance, one announcement, one adjudication/disposition setting, a jury-trial announcement at which agreed adjudications close, and Supreme Court juvenile time standards (2022-5); pretrial matters not filed seven calendar days before the hearing are waived except venue or good cause, each motion with a proposed order (2022-6); dress code and decorum with no cameras or recording devices and phones off (2022-7); clerks may release listed documents to respondents with proper identification (2022-8); the Charlie J. Cole Building security screening policy (2022-9); Probation may provide the respondent's juvenile-justice summary, and to the military with written permission (2022-10); detention custody transports (2022-12); a discovery protective order under CCP arts. 39.152 and 39.153 barring copying or dissemination of invasive-visual-recording and forensic-exam material produced under art. 39.14, returned or destroyed at disposition (2025-1); and the Motions for Deferred procedure — evidence to the court and opposing counsel one week ahead, no live testimony, representations of counsel in a set order (2026-1, rescinding 2022-11).
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Denton County) — Scheduling Order for debt claim and small claim cases (2026; hearing the last Thursday of the following month; 30-day case reviews; trial within 60 days of an answer; continuances filed at least 7 days out)
Judge Alan Wheeler's scheduling order for Justice Court Precinct 1's debt claim and small claim cases (posted as the 2026 order): every new case is set for hearing on the last Thursday of the following month; served citations with no answer or default judgment on file are set for a case review 30 days from service; first continuances or retains reset to a 30-day case review; once an answer is filed the case is set for trial within 60 days and prior non-motion hearings are cancelled; unserved cases get a 30-day case review and citation must be requested within that time to stay on the docket; after an answer, trial is 30 days out, a granted discovery motion moves trial 45 days out, and a first granted continuance resets trial 30 days out; continuances filed less than 7 days before a hearing or trial are not reviewed unless the motion states an emergency; the court applies different timetables as a case dictates and continues to hear lawful motions.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (SO-2025-00002; file-marked Dec. 12, 2025)
The Probate Courts of Denton County's standing order SO-2025-00002 (signed late 2025, file-marked with the County Clerk Dec. 12, 2025; registered twice, Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, 2025, as identical prints): every self-represented litigant and attorney in every pending or later-filed probate case — whether or not they say they use any form of artificial intelligence — must sign and submit the attached Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, attesting that all AI-created or AI-contributed language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis were verified by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources before submission, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their own, their staff's or co-counsel's non-compliance. Effective immediately; the County Clerk files it with OCA and posts it at the courthouse and on the probate courts' website.
Justice Court, Precinct 1 (Denton County) — Public notice: effective Dec. 1, 2025 no paper filings accepted for civil and criminal cases (e-file through eFileTexas); not-guilty pleas set a pre-trial hearing with the prosecutor
Justice Court Precinct 1's page notice (Judge Alan Wheeler): effective Dec. 1, 2025 the court no longer accepts paper filings for civil and criminal cases — filers register and e-file through eFileTexas (guided instructions posted for new civil filings and filings into a case); a plea of not guilty on a traffic citation results in a pre-trial hearing being scheduled to speak with the prosecutor.
Denton County District Courts — Unified Standing Order Implementing Senate Bill 9 (89th Leg.): Magistrate Court as the court before which unindicted felony cases are pending, exclusive bail-setting for subsequent felonies, next-business-day transfer of magistration documents, district-court review of bail on the State's request (filed Oct. 8, 2025; arrests on or after Sept. 1, 2025)
The Denton County district courts with felony jurisdiction' standing order implementing Senate Bill 9 (signed by Judges Steve Burgess, Brent Hill, Michael Dickens, Karen Alexander, Tiffany Haertling, Derbha Jones and Crystal Levonius; filed with the District Clerk Oct. 8, 2025): prior Chapter 54 part-time magistrate appointments are rescinded and attorney municipal judges of courts of record may serve as magistrates under CCP art. 2A.151(14); for a felony arrest without an indictment, the 'court before which a case is pending' is the Denton County Magistrate Court, which also has jurisdiction over a prior unindicted felony when a second felony arrest follows; under art. 17.027 the Magistrate Court is designated to set bail or conditions for a defendant arrested for a felony committed in Denton County while unindicted felonies are pending, and no other magistrate may set or modify that bail without written district-judge authorization or under approved emergency coverage, with the Magistrate Court reviewing the bond on the prior offense; a judge or magistrate without jurisdiction who sets bail at an art. 15.17 hearing must transmit the probable-cause affidavit, warrant or commitment, bail form, bond conditions, warnings and arrest report to the Magistrate Court by the close of the next business day, by e-filing with the District Clerk or secure e-mail to the designated prosecutor, the District Clerk and magistrate staff; on the District Attorney's request any Denton district judge may review and modify a bail decision made by a magistrate without jurisdiction, acting by the next business day under arts. 17.09 and 17.15, with a summons before any warrant if the defendant is not in custody; Section 3 applies to arrests on or after Sept. 1, 2025.
Justice Court, Precinct 2 (Denton County) — Public notice: criminal e-filing mandatory Sept. 1, 2025; civil filings not accepted after 4:00 p.m. (e-file available 24 hours); docket searchable by judicial officer
Justice Court Precinct 2's page notice (Judge James R. DePiazza): criminal e-filing is mandatory as of Sept. 1, 2025 through eFileTexas; the court does not accept civil filings after 4:00 p.m. daily, e-filing being available around the clock; the court's docket is viewed on the JP & County Court Calendar by selecting the judicial officer; deferred disposition, driving safety course and statutory dismissal requests may be made online.
Denton County District Courts — Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties (filed Feb. 27, 2025)
The district courts' standing order, adopted under Family Code §§ 6.501–6.503, 105.001 and 105.009, that applies in every divorce and every SAPCR (including modifications and enforcements) filed in Denton County and binds the parties, their agents and anyone with notice on pain of contempt: no removing children from Texas to change residence, withdrawing them from school, hiding them, changing their abode, disparaging the other party (including on social media) or discussing the litigation before them, and no overnight dating partners while in possession of a child in an original divorce; no harassing communications; in a dissolution, the full preservation-of-property regime (no transfers, new debt, withdrawals, beneficiary changes, account closures, utility shutoffs, intercepting mail or communications, excluding a spouse from the residence, altering electronic data or metadata, deleting social-network content, or using the other party's passwords) with authorizations for ordinary business, attorney's fees and living expenses; records and insurance preserved; the petitioner must attach the order to the petition or the clerk declines to issue citation; effective on filing as a 14-day TRO, then a temporary injunction until final order; protective orders prevail; parties to complete a listed parent-education and stabilization program within 60 days.
Denton County District Courts — Standing Order Regarding HIPAA, the Texas Medical Privacy Act, and Drug Testing Records (Feb. 27, 2025)
The district judges' standing order in every Family Code suit authorizing all litigation participants (parties, counsel and staff, testing facilities and laboratories, experts, evaluators, parenting facilitators and coordinators, mental-health professionals, witnesses, mediators, arbitrators and courts) to disclose, receive and use drug test records and the protected health information in them for the pending litigation without further HIPAA or Texas Medical Privacy Act authorization — and for no other purpose — with notice that such information is subject to electronic disclosure.
Denton County District Courts — Standing Order Regarding Cash Bonds in Disposed Civil Cases (Feb. 2025)
The district judges' standing order directing the District Clerk to release cash bond funds, less administrative fees, to the depositor when a civil or family case has been disposed as to all parties (transfer, nonsuit, dismissal, final judgment or appellate mandate) and the funds remain in the registry 105 days or more afterward.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Administrative Order SO-2025-00001: $600 Security-for-Costs Retainer for Attorney Ad Litem Fees in Heirship and Guardianship Applications (filed on or after Feb. 1, 2025)
The probate courts' standing order (signed Jan. 27, 2025; amending SO-2015-00007 and SO-2015-00008) requiring the Clerk to collect a $600 retainer deposit, administrative fee waived, in every application for determination of heirship (Estates Code § 53.052(a)) and every guardianship application (§ 1053.052(a), except applicants described in §§ 1053.052(c) and 1155.151(a-2)) filed on or after Feb. 1, 2025, held for the attorney ad litem's fees; the Clerk releases the approved fee to the ad litem and any balance to the applicant within 30 days of the fee order, and the applicant pays any excess within 30 days.
431st District Court (Denton County) — Trial Docket Guidelines: Announcement Procedures (Jan. 13, 2025; written Ready/Not Ready 5–15 days before trial or claims dismissed; pretrial matters and continuances by the Friday before; proposed charge, witness and exhibit lists by the Friday before; settlement orders within 30 days)
Judge Jim Johnson's memorandum to all parties with cases set on the 431st District Court jury docket (Jan. 13, 2025): each attorney and self-represented party submits a written announcement of Ready or Not Ready to the court administrator not less than five nor more than fifteen days before trial, and a party who does not announce at least five days out has its affirmative claims or defenses dismissed with prejudice, costs taxed at the court's discretion; no agreed passes or continuances except as the Denton County local rules permit, and a motion for continuance must be heard by the Friday before trial; short pretrial matters at 8:30 a.m. the morning of trial, lengthy ones by the Friday before; the proposed charge (Word format, in the exact form for the jury, following the TRCP and the Pattern Jury Charges) and the witness and exhibit lists are due to the administrator and court reporter respectively by the Friday before trial; on settlement the administrator is notified promptly and a final judgment, decree or nonsuit must be entered within 30 days of the trial date or the case is dismissed for want of prosecution; backup cases are not released until the administrator's notice on the Monday of trial.
Denton County — Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts (Local Rules, eff. Jan. 1, 2025)
The county's master local rules for every district and statutory county court, adopted by the trial judges acting in concert (Gov't Code § 74.093) and effective Jan. 1, 2025, repealing all prior local rules. Title I (general): attorneys' duties, courtroom conduct (no electronic devices except participating counsel, no recording, no campaign materials), pro se parties held to the rules, conflicting settings with a priority ladder, vacation letters filed 45 days ahead, first continuance or pass granted before announcement day, continuance motions 10 days before trial, the certificate-of-conference requirement for every non-dispositive motion, briefs 3 working days before hearing, proposed orders tendered 2 working days before submission with 5 days to object, evidence in court-of-appeals-uploadable formats. Title II (civil): ex parte applications filed first and certified, affidavit default prove-ups for liquidated damages, bankruptcy notice in 3 days, deposition notices under 10 days presumed unreasonable with a conference recital, DWOP grounds after 60 days without a setting, trial settings no sooner than 75 days from request with 7-day objections, the Eighth Region rules followed, 'ready' announcements 5–15 days before trial, settlement judgments within 30 days, witness/exhibit lists and exhibits marked 7 days before trial, business-records and § 18.001 affidavits filed without attachments, video-deposition designations 30 days before trial. Title III (family): filing and transfer of ancillary actions, the attorney's certificate for ex parte relief, mandatory sworn inventories within 60 days of appearance and financial information 3 days before the first hearing, a certificate of conference before any hearing is set, two-business-day notice of final settings, pre-trial conference attendance. Title IV (criminal/juvenile): letters of representation within 3 business days, defendants present at every setting. Title V: e-filing rules for the County and District Clerks (separate lead documents, page numbering, one-inch margins, no PDF portfolios, proposed orders as subsequent filings, three business days to cure a returned filing, no audio/video via eFile).
Denton County Probate Courts — Court Policy Concerning Required Retention of Attorney and Self-Represented Applicants (Rev. 10/2024): executors, administrators and guardians must act through counsel; self-represented applicants only for their own interests (sole-beneficiary muniments, non-corporate creditors, § 1163 annual reports); muniment prove-up steps and 24-hour document e-mail)
The joint policy of Probate Courts Nos. 1 and 2 (Rev. 10/2024; signed by Judge Christopher J. Everett and the Associate Judge): consistent with the unauthorized-practice statutes, the courts do not permit a self-represented litigant to represent estates or other persons — named or applying executors, administrators and applicants for guardianship must act through a licensed attorney, the courts take no action on filings without an attorney of record, and a representative who discharges counsel and falls out of compliance must re-employ counsel; a person may represent only his or her own interest (examples: a sole beneficiary in a muniment of title, a non-corporate creditor, a non-corporate party in an ancillary civil action, a guardian of the person filing the § 1163 annual report); self-represented litigants must follow Local Rule 1.3, the TRCP, the Rules of Evidence, the Estates Code and appellate rules on pain of fine or punishment; the FAQ explains the fiduciary rationale; for a self-represented muniment all beneficiaries must be applicants and testify, each must swear on personal knowledge that there are no debts other than real-estate liens (perjury warning), the court reviews prove-up documents before the hearing, additional documents are required for a copy of a will, a non-self-proved will or probate more than four years after death, the will and redacted death certificate are filed with the application with the TRCP 57 contact information, and within 24 hours of setting the hearing the proposed order and unsigned proof (and any additional proposed testimony) are e-mailed in Word to the court's coordinator with the hearing date and decedent's name in the subject, additional signed pleadings filed at least one week before the hearing.
Denton County Probate Courts — Local Rules (eff. Oct. 1, 2024)
The Local Rules of the Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (version 10-01-24, effective Oct. 1, 2024, repealing all prior local rules; registered July 22, 2025): self-represented parties may not apply to serve as executor, administrator or guardian or represent third parties (the clerk accepts the filing but the court takes no action until an attorney appears), and may appear only as a sole muniment-of-title beneficiary, non-corporate creditor, ancillary-suit party or small-estate distributee; cause numbering with '01' ancillary suffixes; transfers need a motion, order and hearing; severed claims filed as new cases; vacation letters 45 days ahead; bankruptcy notice within five days; ad litem reports and $-for-costs security in heirship and guardianship cases; attorney-fee applications under the courts' fee standards; proposed orders agreed by all counsel or submitted 10 days after service with alternative forms and a further 10-day hold; amended pleadings no later than 7 days before trial; non-jury hearing requests state a time estimate; uncontested docket by calling the administrator; weekly mental-health docket; mandatory mediation of all final contested matters; trial settings no sooner than 45 days from request with 7-day objections; continuance motions 10 days before trial; pre-trial conference 10 days before trial with Monday trial starts; dilatory pleas 30 days before trial; one second setting; witness/exhibit lists and motions in limine at trial; evidence in court-of-appeals formats; certificate of conference on every non-dispositive motion; briefs 3 working days ahead; Zoom only for agreed uncontested matters (no telephonic hearings; no contested testimony by Zoom); deposition guidelines with 10-day notice presumption and 30-day video designations; ex parte relief with two hours' notice and the attorney's certificate; private process certificates; withdrawal/substitution without hearing only 45 days before a setting with client consent; DWOP after 60 days of inaction; decorum rules.
Denton County Probate Courts — The Uncontested Docket: When a Client Dies Without a Will — Positions and Policies on Heirships and Administrations (Version 09.24; automatic attorney ad litem after deposit; 90-day compliance docket; combined applications; consents in waivers; chart of heirs' fractional interests; posted and published citation with publisher's affidavits e-filed before setting; minor-heir citation rules; § 202.057 certificate; written testimony signed before the judge; two disinterested witnesses; judgment chart)
The two probate courts' guide for intestate matters on the uncontested docket (Version 09.24; Presiding Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett): complete the website prove-up checklist; Zoom hearings allowed if all counsel agree; in every heirship the court automatically appoints an attorney ad litem once the deposit is posted (contact the court if none within two weeks) and the ad litem must attend; a compliance docket is set 90 days after the appointment; heirship and administration are pleaded in one application (an independent administration cannot be heard before the heirship, a dependent administration opened first must have its heirship within 60 days, no independent administration where any heir is a minor, no administration more than four years after death except rarely), with every distributee's consent to independent administration and bond waiver, preferably folded into the waivers of citation; the application must contain every § 202.005 and § 301.052 element, verified under § 202.007, with the heirs' information preferably in a chart giving each heir's interest in separate personal, separate real and community property as finished fractions and, when administration is sought, children's birth dates marked as sensitive data; posted citation on all applications, citation by publication in a local paper and the OCA website with both publishers' affidavits e-filed before the hearing is set, service on or waiver by every non-applicant adult heir (no private process servers in Texas without a motion; certified-mail citation valid only with the addressee's signature), minor-heir rules by age and filing date, and a § 202.057 certificate or affidavit; all oral testimony is reduced to writing prepared in advance and signed before the judge — a proof of death and other facts (no citation recitals) and statements of two disinterested witnesses on the heirs; the judgment includes a chart of all heirs, relationships and interests.
442nd District Court (Denton County) — Instructions for Self-Represented Litigants (last updated August 2024: agreed divorces by prove-up affidavit on or after the 61st day; in-person prove-ups Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.; final trials at least 75 days out after conferring; default prove-ups Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. or by setting; name changes)
The 442nd District Court's instructions for self-represented litigants (last updated August 2024): neither the administrator nor the judge can give legal advice; hiring counsel is strongly encouraged (Denton County Bar, North Texas Legal Aid, Friends of the Family, or a court-appointed attorney in CPS cases or jail-seeking enforcement actions); self-represented parties are held to an attorney's standard and research their own filings (texaslawhelp.org, the Law Library at 121 N. Woodrow Lane); agreed divorces are proved up by affidavit on or after the 61st day after filing by e-filing the respondent's waiver or answer, the prove-up affidavit and the completed agreed decree as separate lead documents (not before the 61st day — the court cannot hold orders), with in-person prove-ups on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. only for those unable to e-file or prepare the affidavit, proper courtroom attire required; an answer or waiver must be on file for the respondent if not served; contested divorces are set for final trial by e-mailing the administrator with both sides included, dates at least 75 days out under the county's local rules, two business days to confer; a final trial cannot be set until the respondent has been served or has answered; default prove-ups in person on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. or by scheduled setting, attorneys through the administrator; adult and child name changes filed as separate lead documents, with in-person appearance where criminal history is indicated or both parents do not agree.
442nd District Court (Denton County) — Practice Tips of Judge Tiffany Haertling (last updated January 2024)
Judge Tiffany Haertling's Practice Tips for the 442nd District Court (updated January 2024; the court states they control where they overlap the county's Uniform Rules): child interviews set only with a companion hearing and children never brought to court unless directed; the court administrator reachable by e-mail only, with all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants copied, and only after the file-marked motion is back from the clerk; conferring on dates with two business days for a response before a setting; continuances in cases over 18 months old or off a DWOP docket require a hearing, agreed ones in younger cases by separate proposed order; dismissal notices with steps and deadlines; the court's Entry Docket about twice monthly at 8:30 a.m. in person, one extension; notices of hearing and proposed orders e-filed as separate lead documents, full names (not initials) for parties and children; settings at 9:00 and 1:30 (9:30 Fridays), all in person absent leave and good cause; time-limit dockets; the court's Exhibit List and Witness List for every hearing with pre-marked exhibits on a USB drive for the reporter plus hard copies for the judge and witness stand; a Summary of Requested Relief; inventories exchanged before final hearing with a proposed property division in editable format; mandatory mediation at least 30 days before final trial with DCAP Exhibit As attached; summary-judgment motions filed and heard 30 days before final trial; agreed divorces proved up by affidavit, in-person prove-ups Tuesdays at 8:30; tax suits by submission or the monthly tax docket.
462nd District Court (Denton County) — Criminal Docket Guidelines (updated July 23, 2024; letter of representation e-filed on retention; defendants present at all settings; arraignments Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.; three announcement settings 60 days apart then plea or trial; pleas Thursdays 1:30 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m.; docket call Fridays 10 a.m. ten days before jury trial)
Judge Lee Ann Breading's criminal docket guidelines for the 462nd District Court (updated July 23, 2024): retained attorneys e-file a letter of representation with the District Clerk, and a motion to substitute counsel with the required signatures if the defendant is already represented; defendants must be present at all settings unless excused; arraignments and announcements on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m., where the status of discovery and any plea offer is reported and bond conditions acknowledged, followed by three announcement settings 60 days apart, after which the case is set for disposition by plea or moves to the jury trial docket (extra settings by exception; cases may move to plea or trial earlier); pleas Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. as scheduled with the court; docket calls Fridays at 10 a.m. ten days before jury trial; the 462nd Drug Treatment Court sits the first and third Thursdays 3–5 p.m.; all settings are scheduled by court administrator Stacy Fruth.
Denton County Probate Courts — Administrative and Standing Order Regarding Small Estate Affidavits (July 9, 2024): court form, posted general citation, redacted death certificate
The probate courts' order (signed July 9, 2024) that any small estate affidavit under Estates Code ch. 205 must substantially comply with the form posted on the Probate Court No. 1 website to be approved; every affidavit filed after July 9, 2024 requires a posted general citation (Estates Code §§ 51.001, 51.003, 51.053, 51.104) with no action until the first Monday after the citation is returned; and the applicant must file an original death certificate with the first six digits of the decedent's Social Security number redacted.
Denton County Justice Courts — Standing Order 2024-001JP: Certificate of Service on Motions for Default Judgment in Debt Claim Cases (May 10, 2024)
The justices of the peace's standing order (signed May 10, 2024, effective immediately) requiring every motion for default judgment in a TRCP 508 debt claim case filed in a Denton County justice court to carry a certificate of service complying with TRCP 501.4(d) before the court will process it; deficient motions draw a deficiency notice under each court's procedures.
393rd District Court (Denton County) — Practice Tips of Judge Karen Alexander (last updated April 2024; administrator by e-mail only with all sides copied; two-business-day conference on dates; continuances over 18 months by hearing; entry docket; file-marked motion before setting; no initials; in-person settings except the Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. attorney Zoom docket; exhibit and witness lists at every hearing; mediation 30 days before trial; MSJ instructions attached to notices)
Judge Karen Alexander's eight-page practice tips for the 393rd District Court (last updated April 2024; the court states they control where they overlap the county's Uniform Rules): child interviews set only with a companion hearing, children not brought to court unless directed; the court administrator is reachable by e-mail only, with all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants copied, only after the file-marked motion is back, and un-copied e-mails are deleted after warning; no contact with the judge; conference on dates required in ongoing cases with two business days for the other side to respond, failure to confer forfeits the hearing; any continuance in a case over 18 months old or off a DWOP docket requires a hearing, agreed ones in younger cases by separate proposed order with a blank reset date; dismissal notices with steps and deadlines; the court's entry docket about twice monthly at 8:30 a.m. in person, one extension typical; the 393rd CPS Requirements 2024 and the TRO/TEXPO/Writ requirements are separate postings; notices of hearing and proposed orders e-filed as separate lead documents; full names of parties and children, not initials; settings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday–Friday plus an 8:30 a.m. Attorney Zoom Docket on Wednesdays and Fridays, everything else in person absent leave and good cause; the court's scheduling order with actual dates for final and jury trials, docket call for trials of a day or more, pre-trial conferences for jury trials; the court's exhibit list and witness list forms at every hearing with copies for all, pre-marked exhibits to the reporter on USB and hard copies for the judge and witness stand; a summary of requested relief with an extra copy for the court; inventories exchanged before final divorce hearings and an editable proposed property division; mediation mandatory at least 30 days before final trial, DCAP orders with each party's Exhibit A, indigency hearing where a party is certified indigent, outcome letter to the court; motions for summary judgment set with the court's instructions attached to the notice and filed and heard 30 days before trial; agreed divorces proved up by affidavit, with in-person prove-ups Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. for self-represented parties who cannot.
Justice Court, Precinct 5 (Denton County) — Public notice: civil e-filing mandatory since Apr. 1, 2024; criminal e-filing mandatory July 2, 2026; all filings before 4 p.m.; business checks only, no personal checks, no cash or money-order payments after 4 p.m.; office opens 8:30 a.m.
Justice Court Precinct 5's page notices (Judge Mike Oglesby): since Apr. 1, 2024 all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases (evictions, small claims, debt claims) must be made through eFile; criminal e-filing becomes mandatory July 2, 2026; all filings must be filed before 4 p.m. (eFile available around the clock); business checks are accepted but personal checks are not, and no cash, money-order or cashier's-check payments are taken after 4 p.m.; the office opens at 8:30 a.m.; the docket is viewed on the JP & County Court Calendar by judicial officer.
Joint Standing Order of the District and County Criminal Court Judges of Denton County Appointing Part-Time County Jail Magistrates (Standing Order No. 2024-1; effective Jan. 1, 2024)
Joint standing order of the Denton County district and county criminal court judges under Government Code Subchapter SS (§§54.2801–54.2819) appointing designated part-time county jail magistrates: qualifications, dockets and hours of service, duties and authority, supervision and removal.
Justice Court, Precinct 6 (Denton County) — Public notice: civil e-filing mandatory since Dec. 1, 2023; arrive 15 minutes before a hearing and check in at the court counter; civil filings before 4:00 p.m.
Justice Court Precinct 6's page notices (Judge Blanca Oliver): since Dec. 1, 2023 all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases (evictions, small claims, debt claims) must be made through eFile; parties arrive 15 minutes before a scheduled hearing and check in at the court counter; civil filings must be filed before 4:00 p.m. (hours 8–12 and 12:30–4:30).
Denton County Court at Law No. 1 (Juvenile Court) — Remote Hearing Orders, Seventh Amended (Sept. 18, 2023; Judge Kimberly McCary): Zoom appearances, live-streaming unless closed, plea paperwork one business day before, deferred-motion procedure, attendee lists and Zoom invites, no notes to testifying witnesses, no recording, subpoena notice language, exhibits by e-mail in PDF/approved formats)
Judge Kimberly McCary's Seventh Amended Remote Hearing Orders for County Court at Law No. 1 sitting as juvenile court (signed Sept. 18, 2023, responding to the JCIT Technology Standards v7.1 and the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals orders of Sept. 11, 2023, which are attached): contact the court if any participant cannot appear remotely; all parents, guardians and custodians present; hearings live-streamed in a public-access room or on YouTube unless a closed courtroom is obtained; for adjudications, modifications and dispositions, respondent's counsel obtains the probation terms and social history, the State's plea paperwork and signatures on the Adjudication Packet and e-mails or drops off everything one business day before; motions for deferred are decided on pre-submitted evidence and 'representations of counsel' without live testimony; attendees appear by Zoom on any video-capable device, join ten minutes early, and each party compiles attendee and witness names, e-mails and phone numbers and forwards the invite; no electronic passing of notes to a testifying witness; no other devices or programs during the hearing without permission; court is officially in session and dress and conduct apply; no recording of any kind by anyone but the court, on pain of contempt; subpoenaed witnesses attend by Zoom and subpoenas carry the prescribed notice, may be served by e-mail with proof filed, and the clerk attaches these orders to every subpoena; exhibits are moved and e-mailed to opposing counsel, the judge and the court reporter with respondent's initials, cause number and exhibit number in the subject, documents as PDF and audio/video per the approved technology standards, physical evidence by photograph; the court does not require advance exchange of exhibits but encourages cooperation.
Denton County Court at Law No. 1 (Juvenile Court) — Remote Hearing Orders/Plan for Detention and Related Hearings (First Amended, Sept. 18, 2023; Judge Kimberly McCary)
Judge Kimberly McCary's First Amended Remote Hearing Orders/Plan for detention and related juvenile hearings (signed Sept. 18, 2023; responding to the JCIT Technology Standards v7.1 and the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals orders of Sept. 11, 2023, which are attached): contact the court if any participant cannot appear remotely; all parents, guardians and custodians present; an unobstructed view of any testifying party or witness; hearings live-streamed on the court's YouTube channel unless a closed courtroom is obtained; for adjudications, modifications and dispositions on the detention docket, counsel obtains the probation terms and social history, the State's plea paperwork and the signatures on the Adjudication Packet and e-mails everything to the judge and court administrator at least one business day before; motions for deferred by representations of counsel without live testimony; Zoom hosted by the court, attendees joining ten minutes early with contact lists and invites forwarded to witnesses; no passing notes to a testifying witness, no other devices or programs during the hearing; no recording or screenshots on pain of contempt; subpoenaed witnesses attend by Zoom with a prescribed notice and may not share the meeting ID; exhibits e-mailed to opposing counsel, the judge and the court reporter with the respondent's initials, cause number and exhibit number in the subject line — documents as PDF, audio/video per the Technology Standards, physical evidence by photograph; the court does not require advance disclosure of exhibits.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standards for Court Approval of Attorney Fee Applications (Rev. 09.2023): rate bands by experience, county-pay $125 and paralegal $65 caps, fiduciary versus legal time in separate applications, quarterly applications, Rohrmoos-compliant entries, 0.1-hour increments, no block billing, ten-day objection hold, fee requests as applications not claims
The Denton County Probate Courts' fee-application standards (Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett, Rev. 09.2023): fee applications identify the date, time in tenths and work performed; administrative tasks are not compensable; court approval must precede payment from an estate, guardianship or trust; private-pay hourly bands by years of probate and guardianship practice ($200 to $450, board certification considered), with resumes for new attorneys and paralegals; county-pay ad litems capped at $125 per hour and their paralegals at $65; attorney-fiduciaries keep segregated time and file two separate applications, are paid fiduciary rates ($100–$150; staff $50–$55) for fiduciary work and may seek above-statutory compensation only with time records; applications at least quarterly while a case is pending (final applications within 30 days of the final hearing), each entry identifying the professional, time, date and work in Rohrmoos detail, with N/C notations for reductions and a summary for complex work; proposed orders leave the amounts blank and state the period; paralegal work $75–$125 per hour on El Apple factors, secretarial tasks (faxing, scheduling, e-filing, scanning, redacting) not compensable at any rate; travel to the courthouse at the approved rate but out-of-county and client-visit travel at half rate; no reimbursement for basic probate research, bill preparation, faxes, routine hand delivery, or calls to the court auditor or clerk; copies at no more than $0.15 per page; billing in 0.1-hour increments, no block billing; costs caused by misfeasance fall on the representative or attorney; applications are held ten days for objections and usually decided on submission, and fee requests filed as claims against the estate always require a hearing under §§ 355.056 and 1157.056.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Administrative Order SO-2023-00003: Release of Cash Bonds After Closure of Guardianship and Probate Cases (June 2023)
The probate courts' standing order (file-marked June 20, 2023; by its terms in effect from Jan. 1, 1990 until countermanded) directing the County Clerk to release cash bond funds left in the registry, less administrative fees, to the depositing party 75 days after a probate or guardianship case is administratively closed, deemed inactive, dismissed, nonsuited or closed on approval of the guardian's final report — no motion required.
Denton County Criminal Courts Nos. 1–5 — Standing Order SO-2023-0001 directing the County Clerk to issue an alias capias warrant on a signed Certificate of Call unless an active warrant exists (Feb. 22, 2023)
The five county criminal courts' standing order (SO-2023-0001, Feb. 22, 2023; Judges Lauri Ragland, Susan Piel, Forrest Beadle, Chance Oliver and Coby Waddill): when a signed Certificate of Call is filed in a misdemeanor case — the court's certification that the defendant failed to appear when the case was called — the County Clerk issues an alias capias warrant unless there is already an active warrant on the case.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Order SO-2023-00002: Mental Health Proceedings Conducted by Zoom (Feb. 14, 2023)
The probate courts' administrative standing order (file-marked Feb. 14, 2023) that all mental health hearings and proceedings under Health and Safety Code § 574.031(a), subject to § 574.203, are conducted by secure Zoom videoconferencing (or audio teleconference if Zoom is unavailable); proposed patients and patients appear remotely from their inpatient treatment facility; and the proceedings, which are open to the public, may be observed in the Associate Judge courtroom at 3900 Morse Street, Denton.
Denton County Justices of the Peace — Rules of Administration (adopted Jan. 13, 2023)
The six Denton County justices of the peace's Rules of Administration under Gov't Code § 27.061 (accepted unanimously Jan. 13, 2023): court held at times and places each justice designates; civil jury cases to conclude within 18 months and non-jury cases within 12 months of appearance; an annual dismissal docket for cases inactive 365 days; transfer of civil (CPRC § 15.0821) and criminal (CCP art. 4.12(e)) cases between precincts by written order on consent of the participating judges, any Denton justice able to sit for any other; bench exchanges under TRCP 502.4(f) with the visiting judge noted on the docket; a uniform Sworn Statement of Inability to Pay form; fair-venue changes under TRCP 502.4(e) noted on the docket; monthly judicial meetings, an elected one-year administrative judge; each court may adopt further rules not in conflict.
Denton County Probate Courts — Standing Omnibus Order of Referral to the Associate Probate Judge (SO-2023-00001, Jan. 3, 2023): referral, objections within 10 days, de novo requests within 7 working days
The probate courts' omnibus order (Jan. 3, 2023) confirming Edward J. Nolter as full-time Associate Probate Judge (appointed Jan. 6, 2022) and referring to him any aspect of any case at the probate judges' discretion, without a specific order of referral, as reflected on the weekly printed docket; his powers under Gov't Code § 54A.209(a) including signing agreed, default, temporary, waiver-based and letters-issuing final orders and mental-health orders; the referring judge signs § 54A.209(a)(16) orders within 30 days; a party may object to the associate judge trying a matter on the merits by written objection, and where a trial has been set on his docket the objection must be filed within 10 days of notice (§ 54A.207); de novo hearings are requested within 7 working days of notice of the associate judge's order or report (§ 54A.216); supersedes all former standing and omnibus orders.
Justice Court, Precinct 3 (Denton County) — Public notice: civil e-filing through e-File since Sept. 1, 2022 (no e-mail filings); criminal e-filing mandatory Sept. 1, 2026; civil filings 30 minutes before closing; court opens 9 a.m. the first Friday of the month
Justice Court Precinct 3's page notices (Judge James Kerbow): since Sept. 1, 2022 civil electronic filings are no longer accepted by e-mail — all electronic filings, motions and requests in civil cases go through e-File; criminal e-filing becomes mandatory Sept. 1, 2026; civil filings must be filed 30 minutes before closing; the court opens at 9:00 a.m. on the first Friday of each month (hours Monday–Thursday 8–5, Friday 8–4, first Friday 9–4).
462nd District Court (Denton County) — Hearings and Trials: Policies and Procedures (updated June 28, 2022; docket call ten days before jury trial; no motions on the day of jury trial without leave; witness and exhibit lists to the court reporter by 5 p.m. the Friday before trial)
Judge Lee Ann Breading's hearings-and-trials policies for the 462nd District Court (updated June 28, 2022): a case set for jury trial is also set for docket call ten days before, where the order of trial is established and cases may or may not be released; agreement on motions is encouraged and the court does not hear motions on the day of jury trial without prior leave, reserving the right to take child, outcry or confrontation-issue witness testimony after jury selection; the State and defense are encouraged to exchange exhibits and are directed to produce a witness list and exhibit list (the court's forms) to court reporter Kimberly Tinsley by 5 p.m. the Friday before trial; final docket position may be confirmed with court administrator Stacy Fruth on the Friday before the Monday trial.
442nd District Court (Denton County) — CPS Requirements (Judge Tiffany Haertling; in-person agreed statutory hearings since May 1, 2022; DCAP mediation; ad litem selfie requirement)
The 442nd District Court's requirements in child-protection (DFPS) cases: assistant district attorneys provide proposed orders for statutory hearings to all counsel by the Monday before the hearing with the next hearing date filled in; counsel review orders with clients beforehand; since May 1, 2022 all agreed statutory orders are proved up in person by all attorneys and parties — no passes, submissions or Zoom; mediation is mandatory unless good cause is timely shown, scheduled with the Denton County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (DCAP) before the status hearing and completed at least 30 days before final trial, on a Friday at DCAP only, with all attorneys and parties ordered to attend; the court's CPS Scheduling Order is entered at the status hearing without edits; attorneys ad litem e-mail the court administrator (copying all counsel, the caseworker and CASA) a date- and time-stamped selfie with the child by 3 p.m. the day before each statutory hearing.
Denton County Court at Law No. 1 (Juvenile Court) — Dress Code and Courtroom Decorum, JV-SO-2022-7 (Apr. 1, 2022; no hats, shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, sagging pants or flip-flops; no cameras or recording devices; phones off and stowed; no food, gum, tobacco or drinks other than water)
Judge Kimberly McCary's juvenile-court standing order JV-SO-2022-7 (Apr. 1, 2022): all persons dress in a manner reflecting the court's dignity — no hats, caps or other head wear without prior permission, no shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, sagging pants or flip-flops; cameras and video or audio recording devices are not allowed; cell phones and electronic devices are turned off and stowed before entering, except court staff and officers of the court on silent for work; no food, gum or tobacco products, and no beverages other than water.
Denton County Criminal Court No. 1 — Public notice: defendants present at all plea settings (since June 15, 2021); hearings in person; bond conditions may be signed and e-filed ahead; all resets in person, no e-filed pass slips
County Criminal Court No. 1's page notice (Judge Lauri Ragland): starting June 15, 2021 defendants must be present for all plea settings, and every plea setting requires the presence of both attorney and defendant; hearings are in person (facial coverings recommended, not required); court dates are on the county records inquiry site; defense attorneys may sign and e-file bond conditions ahead of time, but all resets are done in person and e-filed pass slips are not accepted.
Denton County District and County Criminal Courts — Standing Order Establishing Processes and Procedures for Unfiled Criminal Matters of the Magistrate Court (Dec. 10, 2019; effective Jan. 1, 2020): Magistrate Court handles pre-charge custody and bond matters, all pre-charge filings go to the District Clerk as its clerk, referred matters, court reporter on request, costs
The standing order of the Denton County district courts, county criminal courts and County Court at Law No. 1 (sitting as juvenile court), signed Dec. 10, 2019 and effective Jan. 1, 2020: the Magistrate Court, presided over by the Associate Criminal Judge under Chapter 54A, is the court for every criminal matter arising from an arrest by warrant or on view while the person is in the Sheriff's custody or on bail and no complaint, information or indictment has been filed, with authority to modify bonds and conditions until a charge is filed, after which only the court of filing acts; any motion, writ or filing in a pre-charge criminal matter is filed with the Denton County District Clerk as the designated clerk of the Magistrate Court; the Magistrate Court keeps the docket and records (probable-cause affidavits, commitments, warnings, bail conditions, risk assessments, mental-health evaluations) and files them with the District Clerk, who transfers misdemeanors to the County Clerk once a complaint or information is accepted; preliminary matters in filed cases may be assigned to the Magistrate Court only by a specific order of assignment and it may never render a final disposition; the record on appeal includes the order under which the magistrate acted; a court reporter is provided on a party's request with the cost taxable; sworn witnesses are subject to perjury and attachment; the referring court may modify, reject or adopt the magistrate's action; bond forfeitures are filed with the district or county clerk according to where the case stands; the clerks charge the same court costs as in the district or county courts.
Denton County Probate Court — Standing Order SO-2017-00003 in Accordance with Estates Code § 1054.201: attach the attorney's State Bar guardianship-training certificate to every application for guardianship, supplement on expiration (effective Dec. 12, 2017)
Judge Bonnie Robison's standing order SO-2017-00003 (signed Dec. 12, 2017, replacing SO-2015-00002): every attorney filing an application or counter-application for guardianship attaches to the initial pleading a copy of the State Bar letter acknowledging completion of the four-hour training required by Estates Code § 1054.201 (the 'Attorney Ad Litem Certificate'); once attached it need not accompany amended pleadings, but on or before the certificate's expiration the attorney supplements the application and files an updated certificate in every case in which the attorney appears for a guardianship applicant; non-compliance results in a compliance-docket setting or status conference.
Denton County District Courts — Standing Order on Identifying Minors in Pleadings (eff. Dec. 4, 2017; re-signed Mar. 1, 2025)
The district courts' standing order (effective Dec. 4, 2017 and re-signed by the current bench in 2023, 2024 and 2025) that district court cases involving a minor may use the minor's initials in the case style but must identify the minor by full name and full date of birth in the body of pleadings and related orders, alongside compliance with Family Code §§ 102.008 and 105.006 and TRCP 21c.
Denton County Probate Court — Standing Administrative Order SO-2017-00001 Regarding Compliance with Estates Code §§ 256.052, 257.051 and 301.052: last three digits of the applicant's and decedent's driver's license and Social Security numbers in probate applications or the matter is not docketed (effective Sept. 1, 2017)
Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2017-00001 (signed Sept. 8, 2017; effective Sept. 1, 2017): every application to probate a will, to probate a will as a muniment of title or for letters of administration must state the last three digits of the applicant's driver's license and Social Security numbers and, if known, the decedent's, or state why the numbers are omitted (Estates Code §§ 256.052, 257.051, 301.052); the Probate Court Administrator will not set a non-compliant matter on the docket.
Denton County Probate Courts — Small Estate Affidavit Instructions and Court Form (revised Sept. 1, 2017): court form required; posted citation and approval no earlier than the first Monday after ten days' posting; original certified death certificate with redacted SSN; not within 30 days of death; assets, liabilities, solvency, Medicaid and family-history content; all distributees and two disinterested witnesses sworn; § 205.007(c) liability statement)
The Denton County Probate Court's instructions for small estate affidavits under Estates Code chapter 205 (revised Sept. 1, 2017; the companion standing order of July 9, 2024 mandates the form): use the court's SEA form or one in substantial compliance; request a posted citation from the County Clerk, and the affidavit is not approved until the first Monday after ten days' posting; file an original certified death certificate separately with the first digits of the SSN redacted; not filed within 30 days of death, in the county of the decedent's residence, no will and no pending or needed administration; list every asset with detail (VINs, last four account digits, legal descriptions), show total assets of $75,000 or less excluding homestead and exempt property, characterize community and separate property, allege exempt status, list every liability including attorney's fees, be solvent, state whether Medicaid was received after March 1, 2005 and list the MERP claim or file a certification, state the family history and each distributee's shares in all three property types (an 'NA' for separate property is rejected), be signed and sworn by every distributee with capacity (guardians for minors, whose shares go into the registry or to a guardian of the estate) and by two disinterested witnesses who can swear to all facts, and include the § 205.007(c) liability acknowledgment; the court may require a hearing.
Denton County Probate Court — Standing Administrative Order SO-2016-00001 on Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem Appointment Lists (Feb. 24, 2016): two probate and two guardianship lists; quarterly posting; application by letter, State Bar certificate, resume and profile form; interview; knowledge and experience standards; observation of three prove-ups and five court visits for the guardianship list; out-of-order appointments; removal and restoration on certificate expiration)
Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2016-00001 under Government Code § 37.01: two probate ad litem lists and two guardianship ad litem lists (List I for attorneys with ten or more years of probate and guardianship experience approved for difficult, complex and contested cases; List II for other qualified attorneys), posted quarterly on the courthouse bulletin boards and the court's website; an attorney seeking placement e-mails the Probate Court Attorney Administrator a request letter, a current State Bar Attorney Ad Litem Certificate (§ 1054.201 four-hour training), a resume and the court's application and profile form, then interviews with the judge; qualification requires working knowledge of probate and guardianship law, the Rules of Evidence and the court's standing orders (List I: demonstrated ability with complex cases and dependent, temporary and guardianship administrations); guardianship-list attorneys also observe three guardianship prove-ups, complete five court visits and register with the County Court Administrator; the court may appoint out of order or off-list for specialized skill, prior involvement, geography or the parties' agreement; the attorney must keep the certificate current and decline appointments when it lapses — expiration removes the attorney from the list, restoration requires a current certificate, five additional court visits and placement at the bottom of the list.
Denton County Probate Court — Standing Administrative Order SO-2016-00002 on Mediator Appointment Lists (Feb. 24, 2016): Mediator List I (10+ years) and List II (5+ years); quarterly posting; application by letter, State Bar ad litem certificate, resume and profile form; interview; must be in good standing on an ad litem list; out-of-order appointments; removal and restoration on certificate expiration)
Judge Bonnie J. Robison's standing administrative order SO-2016-00002 under Government Code § 37.01: two mediator lists for probate and guardianship cases — List I for attorneys with ten or more years of probate and guardianship experience approved for difficult, complex and contested cases, List II for attorneys with five or more years — posted quarterly on the courthouse bulletin boards and the court's website; placement requires a request letter, a current State Bar Attorney Ad Litem Certificate, a resume and the court's mediator application and profile form sent to the Probate Court Attorney Administrator, followed by an interview with the judge; a mediator must demonstrate working knowledge of probate and guardianship law, the Rules of Evidence and the court's standing orders and be registered and in good standing on a Denton County probate or guardianship ad litem list (List I: demonstrated ability to mediate complex matters and significant experience with dependent, temporary and guardianship administrations); the court may appoint out of order or off-list for specialized skill, prior involvement, geography or the parties' agreement; when the attorney's ad litem certificate expires the mediator is removed from the list, and restoration requires a current certificate, five court visits and placement at the bottom of the list.
Denton County Probate Court — Administrative and Standing Order PR-2014-002 Regarding the eFiling of Inventory, Annual Account and Account for Final Settlement (effective Jan. 1, 2014: redact under TRCP 21c, e-file, do not file supporting vouchers, deliver unredacted paper copy and backup to the Court Auditor within 7 business days)
Judge Bonnie J. Robison's administrative and standing order PR-2014-002 (filed Jan. 31, 2014) setting the procedure for every inventory, annual account or account for final settlement in guardianship and probate estates once TRCP 21c took effect: file the inventory or accounting in compliance with Rule 21c with sensitive data redacted (including in deposit verifications, safekeeping confirmations and tax affidavits); file it electronically; do not file supporting vouchers and backup documents (financial and brokerage statements, copies of checks) with the clerk; within 7 business days of filing deliver by mail or hand to the Probate Court Auditor/Attorney an unredacted copy of the filed accounting showing its filing date, all unredacted supporting documents (which counsel retrieves within 30 days after approval or the court destroys them), an unredacted copy of the inventory with a first annual account, and in a probate the names and birth dates of minor heirs; the court's website carries the auditor's checklist.
Denton County Probate Court No. 1 — Additional Requirement for Muniment of Title Cases (since May 7, 2009: the application, prove-up testimony and order must state that any Medicaid benefits received on or after March 1, 2005 have been repaid)
Probate Court No. 1's guideline for wills offered as muniments of title (letterhead of Judge David W. Jahn and Associate Judge Edward Nolter): because a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program claim for benefits received after March 1, 2005 is a debt that bars muniment probate, every application to probate a will as a muniment, the prove-up testimony (including any written statement of proof) and the order admitting the will must, since May 7, 2009, state that 'Medicaid benefits, if any, received by the Decedent on or after March 1, 2005 have been repaid.'