Patricia Marie Burns

Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1 — Court Policies (hearings, notice, hearing documents five days ahead, court reporter notice, Zoom by exception, certificate of conference, decorum, ad litem lists, fee applications, contested-docket management, trial guidelines)

Probate Court No. 1's posted Court Policies: uncontested dockets mainly Mondays and Thursdays, contested matters Tuesdays and Wednesdays with time estimates; hearings requested by e-mail (first come, first served) with a minimum of 3 days' notice and an e-filed confirmation letter; proposed proofs, oath and order e-filed at least 5 days before the hearing or it may be cancelled; court reporter requests at scheduling and never less than 5 business days out; a genuine attempt to resolve discovery disputes before any hearing; hearings in person with Zoom only when absolutely necessary; submissions by agreement; the certificate-of-conference rule strictly enforced; in camera materials retained no more than 10 days; ex parte relief (other than with original petitions) requires proof of notice to appearing parties; business attire and phones off; ad litem lists kept by the court administrator (decedents' estates) and court investigator (guardianships) with résumé, certification and a conference with the judge; attorney-fee applications judged under Rule 1.04 and Rohrmoos; scheduling orders in all contested cases with the court unlikely to move agreed trial dates; mediation required before final trial absent good cause; the associate judge hears anything but jury trials; pre-trial conference about 10 days before trial; juror questionnaires 30 days before trial; voir dire with individual questioning at the bench and cause challenges outside the panel's presence; voir dire and arguments unrecorded unless requested; counsel stand to object and ask permission to approach; no gratuities.