Christopher J. Everett

Exhibit Rules, 362nd Judicial District Court of Denton County (Crystal Butler, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Bruce McFarling) — posted on the court's page

The 362nd District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Crystal Butler, Judge Bruce McFarling): exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, numbered only (no letter combinations), offered in any order; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played on the court's system from the party's own laptop, no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause, playable in Windows Media Player or VLC; video-deposition recordings entered as exhibits; the court reporter needs no separate set and no advance delivery, PDF copies on a flash drive preferred but required only for audio and video; witness and exhibit lists preferred before the hearing; parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before the hearing on stipulations.

Exhibit Rules, 367th Judicial District Court of Denton County (Robin Newton, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Brent Hill) — posted on the court's Practice Tips page

The 367th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Robin Newton, Judge Brent Hill): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, preferably top right, numbered only, no duplicates across motions in the same hearing; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played on the court's system from the party's own laptop, with no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause and playable in Windows Media Player or VLC; the court reporter needs no separate paper set and does not need exhibits before the day of hearing; PDF copies on a flash drive preferred, flash drives required only for audio and video and for final hearings and trials; witness and exhibit lists preferred before the hearing.

Practice Tips: 367th District Court (Judge Brent Hill; court administrator Debra Jones) — county web page dentoncounty.gov/1714

Judge Brent Hill's practice tips page for the 367th District Court: e-mail is the preferred and, for hearing dates, cancellations and settlement announcements, the required mode of communicating with the court administrator, and no one contacts the judge unless directed; parties' and children's full names, not initials (Family Code); settings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with full-day trials at 8:30 a.m.; dockets of full day, half day, over one hour and one hour or less; hearings are set by e-mailing the administrator, conferring with the other side on the offered dates without the administrator copied, then confirming and e-filing a notice of hearing; temporary hearings limited to 30 minutes per side absent special circumstances raised at the start; docket call on a Friday at 8:30 a.m. about ten days before full-day and jury trials; divorce prove-ups by submission with all signatures on the decree and a prove-up affidavit on file, or in person by appointment; conferencing on dates required in ongoing cases with two business days to respond, availability defined, failure to confer forfeits the hearing; mediation mandatory before final hearing, not mediating does not continue the trial, fees may be assessed for forcing a motion for mediation, DCAP orders must attach each party's Exhibit A or are rejected, outcome letter places settled cases on the entry docket; the entry docket (about twice monthly, Thursdays 8:30 a.m.) is a built-in motion to enter and counsel attends if the order is not entered first; the court's exhibit rules govern witness and exhibit lists; child interviews are set with the companion hearing and children are not brought to court.

2024 TRO, TEXPO, Writ Requirements, 393rd District Court, Denton County (Judge Karen Alexander; administrator Baylee Latchaw) — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's requirements for emergency temporary restraining orders, temporary ex parte protective orders and writs: e-file the petition or application, supporting affidavit, certificate of ex parte relief and proposed order, taking care that the proposed order is its own separate lead document so it reaches the court's queue, and wait for the file-marked copies of the first three; then send a courtesy e-mail to the court administrator (Baylee Latchaw) with the cause number and style and copies of all four documents, copying the opposing party or counsel only if they have appeared or the certificate requires it; the judge reviews and decides how to proceed, including whether an appearance is necessary, and no one appears unless Judge Alexander directs.

Common Reasons Orders Are Rejected, 393rd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's checklist of why proposed orders are rejected (identical to the 442nd's): a final decree of divorce is rejected when the record does not show the petition on file more than 60 days, service on or a proper waiver by the respondent, both parties' signatures on the order, or a prove-up affidavit or declaration on file when the order is reviewed; a modification or SAPCR order when service or waiver or both signatures are missing; an adult name-change order when the petition does not meet Family Code § 45.102, is unverified or lacks a prove-up affidavit, the fingerprint card is illegible or incomplete, the petitioner has an offense above a Class C misdemeanor (requiring an in-person prove-up), or the order does not meet § 45.103; a child name-change order when all conservators or parents have not been served or waived or both signatures are missing.

Exhibit Rules, 393rd District Court, Denton County (Kimberly Buchanan, CSR, Official Court Reporter; 5 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's five-page exhibit rules (official court reporter Kimberly Buchanan): all parties pre-mark and pre-number exhibits on the front of the first page matching the exhibit list exchanged with all parties, the court and the reporter; stipulations encouraged, admissibility otherwise ruled on when offered; numbers not letters, offered in any order; audio or audio-visual recordings played in court are entered as exhibits and no contemporaneous verbatim record is made unless the court orders; audio recordings require a verbatim written transcript identifying each speaker (highlight key portions beyond five pages) and audiovisual equipment must be tested the week before or its use is not allowed; parties mark their own unmarked exhibits; oversized exhibits come with marked 8½×11 copies; demonstrative aids may be used by all parties and not marked without permission; digital copies of all exhibits go to the court reporter on a flash drive, DVD, e-mail or other device at the pretrial hearing or by 5 p.m. the business day before trial, in the Supreme Court's Uniform Format Manual formats — text-searchable unprotected PDFs, photographs at least 2,048×1,536 pixels, separator pages where the number is not on the image, MP3 audio not over 100 MB and MP4 video not over 5 GB, broken into multiple files if longer.

Self-Represented Litigants — General Instructions; Instructions for finalizing a divorce; Instructions for finalizing a name change, 393rd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 393rd District Court's instructions for self-represented litigants: 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); 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, with in-person prove-ups on Tuesdays 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 Fridays at 8:30 a.m. or by scheduled setting; 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.

Practice Tips for the 393rd District Court — Judge Karen Alexander (last updated April 2024; 8 pp) — posted on the court's page

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.

Court Notices are served in accordance with Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(f)(10), 431st District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 431st District Court's notice on how its orders reach the parties: once a signed order — including the scheduling orders the court issues on its own motion when the parties have not filed an agreed one — is entered by the District Clerk, the clerk transmits the order or notice electronically through re:SearchTX, the statewide portal tied to eFileTexas, which sends Case Notices to the registered e-service addresses of all attorneys of record; under TRCP 21(f)(10) the clerk must use the electronic system and Denton County practice includes no separate physical mailing or individual e-mailing, so no further action by the court is taken.

Exhibit Rules, 431st District Court, Denton County (Cori Warren, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Jim Johnson) — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's exhibit rules (issued through official court reporter Cori Warren for Judge Jim Johnson): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations to exhibits; every exhibit is pre-marked on the front of its first page with a number only (no letters or letter-number combinations), no duplicate numbers, and exhibits need not be offered in sequence; more than a few exhibits go to the court in a tabbed binder; all exhibits are also brought on a USB drive left with the court reporter and updated if exhibits change; audio and video must play in Windows Media Player or VLC, with paper as PDF, audio as MP3, video as MP4, documents text-searchable and 100 MB or less, recordings 2 GB or less, the party supplying its own laptop; video-deposition recordings played in court are entered as exhibits; the witness and exhibit list is e-mailed to the court reporter by 5 p.m. the business day before trial begins.

Self-Represented Litigants — General Instructions, 431st District Court, Denton County — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's general instructions for self-represented litigants: the court administrator is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice, and the judge, as trier of fact, cannot either; self-represented parties are strongly encouraged to hire counsel (Denton County Bar), are held to the same standard as an attorney and must conduct their own research on what to file and how (texaslawhelp.org, the Law Library at 121 N. Woodrow Lane, Suite 160, Denton); the District Clerk's website has filing forms, e-filing, citation issuance and copy requests but the clerk cannot give legal advice; District Court Administration posts court rules and forms but cannot assist with 431st District Court matters beyond referring the party to the 431st court administrator.

Practice Tips for the 431st District Court (Judge Jim Johnson; question-and-answer format, 8 pp) — posted under FAQs, Rules & Forms on the court's page

The 431st District Court's question-and-answer practice tips: the court's standard Scheduling Order and Discovery Control Plan is used in all cases, with counsel obtaining trial and pretrial dates from the court administrator and e-filing an agreed or proposed order; a Notice of Dismissal Setting issues when a plaintiff takes no action for more than 60 days, fails to appear or announce ready, or under the local rules, avoided by a final order or a trial setting with a signed scheduling order; emergencies and all contact go by e-mail to the administrator; motions to compel are heard on motion with certificate of conference, response and reply, TRCP 215 enforced; all pleadings by e-filing only, settings by e-mail, oral argument permitted or submission by agreement, no fax or e-mail filings, rulings usually announced at the hearing; pretrial matters over an hour set the week before jury trial; briefs concise with Second Court of Appeals or Supreme Court authority preferred, no paper copies, courtesy copies by e-mail as searchable PDF; the court hears discovery disputes itself but may appoint a discovery umpire; mediation is generally required before final trial and a party who has not mediated is not ready; written Ready/Not Ready announcements 5–15 days before trial with dismissal for failure to announce; no agreed passes; continuances and pretrial matters heard by the Friday before, none the day of a jury trial; proposed charges in Word by the Friday before; witness and exhibit lists on the court's forms to the court reporter by the Friday before; voir dire typically 30 minutes per side with strikes for cause after voir dire outside the panel's presence; openings and closings 10–30 minutes; microphone required; the court provides an Elmo and video connections; trial position given at docket call; ad litem appointments per the county local rules by written order; attorneys are expected to follow the Texas Lawyer's Creed.

431st District Court — Denton County, Texas, Trial Docket Guidelines, Re: Announcement Procedures (Judge Jim Johnson, Jan. 13, 2025) — posted as 'Jury Trial Guidelines' on the court's page

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.

Common Reasons Orders Are Rejected, 442nd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 442nd District Court's checklist of why proposed orders are rejected: a final decree of divorce is rejected when the record does not show the petition on file more than 60 days, service on or a proper waiver by the respondent, both parties' signatures on the order, or a prove-up affidavit or declaration on file when the order is reviewed; a modification or SAPCR order when service or waiver or both signatures are missing; an adult name-change order when the petition does not meet Family Code § 45.102, is unverified or lacks a prove-up affidavit, the fingerprint card is illegible or incomplete, the petitioner has an offense above a Class C misdemeanor (requiring an in-person prove-up), or the order does not meet § 45.103; a child name-change order when all conservators or parents have not been served or waived or both signatures are missing.

442nd District Court CPS Requirements (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1820, registered 02/22/2024)

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.

Instruction for Self-Represented Litigants, 442nd Judicial District Court (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1831, registered 02/22/2024)

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.

Practice Tips for the 442nd District Court, Judge Tiffany Haertling (last updated January 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1827, registered 02/22/2024)

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.

442nd Requirements for Witness Lists, Exhibit Lists, & Exhibits (court reporter Deana Scobee), 442nd District Court, Denton County — posted on the court's page

The 442nd District Court's exhibit-handling requirements: e-mail courtesy copies of the court's required witness list, exhibit list and the labeled exhibits in PDF to court reporter Deana Scobee by noon the business day before the hearing (or per the scheduling order); exhibits numbered, not lettered; e-mailing does not admit anything and all proposed exhibits are still provided to the judge and opposing side at the hearing per the Practice Tips; include cause number and style in the subject and the hearing date and time in the body; no external or cloud links, each exhibit a separate attached file; bring all exhibits on a USB drive to leave with the court reporter; formats PDF, MP3, MP4; follow the Denton County Standing Order Regarding Evidence; do not forget the summary of requested relief.

Requirements Regarding Emergency TRO, TEXPO or Writ, 442nd Judicial District Court (Judge Tiffany Haertling) (TOPICs reg. doc 1828, registered 02/22/2024)

The 442nd District Court's requirements for emergency temporary restraining orders, temporary ex parte protective orders and writs: e-file the petition or application, supporting affidavit, certificate of ex parte relief and proposed order (the proposed order as its own separate lead document so it reaches the court's queue), wait for the file-marked copies of the first three, then send a courtesy e-mail to the court administrator with the cause number and style, copies of all four documents, and the opposing party or counsel copied only where they have appeared or the certificate requires it; the judge decides how to proceed, and no one appears unless directed.

462nd Criminal Docket Guidelines (Judge Lee Ann Breading; updated July 23, 2024) — posted on the court's page

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.

462nd Hearings & Trials: Policies & Procedures (Judge Lee Ann Breading; updated June 28, 2022) — posted on the court's page

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.

Exhibit Rules, 467th District Court, Denton County (Jennifer Ryan, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Derbha Jones; 2 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 467th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Jennifer Ryan, Judge Derbha Jones): parties are ordered to confer at least 15 minutes before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits pre-marked on the front of the first page, numbered only with no letter combinations, no duplicate numbers across motions in the same hearing; in family cases marking as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife is preferred; more than a few exhibits in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of requested-relief exhibits for the judge; audio and video exhibits to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, played from the party's own laptop after familiarizing with the equipment, no contemporaneous verbatim record absent good cause, video-deposition recordings entered as exhibits, playable in Windows Media Player or VLC and compliant with appellate size and format rules (text-searchable PDFs of 100 MB or less; recordings not over 2 GB in the listed formats); PDF copies of all exhibits on a flash drive and witness and exhibit lists before the hearing are preferred.

Exhibit Rules, 477th Judicial District Court of Denton County (Misty Skinner, CSR, Official Court Reporter; Judge Michael Dickens) — posted on the court's page

The 477th District Court's exhibit rules (official court reporter Misty Skinner, Judge Michael Dickens): parties are ordered to confer before a hearing or trial on stipulations; exhibits are pre-marked on the front of the first page, preferably top right, numbered only (no 1A, A-1, 2A and the like), with no duplicate numbers even across motions heard together; more than a few exhibits come in a tabbed binder; an extra copy of any requested-relief exhibit for the judge to write on; audio and video exhibits go to the court reporter on a labeled flash drive by the end of the hearing, must play in Windows Media Player or VLC, the party brings its own laptop, and no contemporaneous verbatim record of a played recording is made absent good cause; video-deposition recordings are entered as exhibits; witness and exhibit lists are preferred before the hearing begins; for trial a binder of all exhibits plus a flash drive of audio, video and photo exhibits is delivered to the court reporter at the beginning of trial or earlier.

Practice Tips for the 477th District Court (Judge Michael Dickens; court administrator Kim Kunz) — posted on the court's page

Judge Michael Dickens's practice tips for the 477th District Court: e-mail is the preferred and, for hearing dates, cancellations and settlement announcements, the required mode of communicating with the court administrator, and no one contacts the judge unless directed; parties' and children's full names, not initials, in the style and body of pleadings (Family Code); Monday–Wednesday mornings for jury trials and long hearings, Thursdays and Fridays for hearings of an hour or less; hearings are set by e-mailing the administrator, conferring with the other side on the offered dates without the administrator copied, then confirming and e-filing a notice of hearing; temporary hearings limited to 30 minutes per side absent special circumstances raised at the start; docket call on a Friday at 8:30 a.m. about ten days before full-day or jury trials or pro se enforcement motions; divorce prove-ups accepted by submission with all signatures on the decree and a prove-up affidavit on file, or in person by appointment; conferencing on dates is required in ongoing cases, availability defined, and failure to confer may forfeit the hearing; mediation is mandatory before final hearing, not mediating does not continue the trial, fees may be assessed for forcing a motion for mediation, DCAP orders must attach each party's completed exhibits or are rejected, and the outcome letter places settled cases on the entry docket; the entry docket (about twice monthly, Fridays 1:30 p.m.) is a built-in motion to enter, not a dismissal docket, and counsel must attend if the order is not entered first.

481st District Court Policies (Judge Crystal Levonius; coordinator Laurie DiPierro; 6 pp) — posted on the court's page

The 481st District Court's policies (Judge Crystal Levonius; coordinator Laurie DiPierro): in-person proceedings follow Denton ISD or Lewisville ISD weather closures while virtual ones continue; agreed orders signed by every party and attorney with distinctive signatures and a waiver-of-record appearance section need no prove-up; going forward without the other side requires filed or offered proof of notice; a full-day trial is 2½ hours per side, a half-day about 1¼ hours, a one-hour hearing 20 minutes; hearings and trials are set by e-mailing the coordinator, agreeing dates with the other side and e-filing a notice of hearing (bench trials with the court's TBC scheduling order, jury trials with a signed jury scheduling order and a pre-trial hearing by the Wednesday before); trials without a scheduling order or without attempted mediation are limited to 1.5 hours per side, and scheduling orders without a mediator's name are rejected; check in with the bailiff; ex parte requests are e-filed and the coordinator called or e-mailed or nothing happens, TROs must not duplicate the standing orders; any continuance in a case over 12 months old requires a hearing; Zoom appearances only in very limited circumstances; child interviews scheduled in advance, not on the day of trial; silent devices allowed but any sound in a jury trial may draw a $50 fine; display through USB only; cases sealed only after an evidentiary hearing following final judgment; proposed property division (editable) and a financial information statement required when asked to divide property or order support; health-insurance pleading and cash medical support where children have government coverage; TRCP 21c redaction with children's initials in all filings except the SAPCR or divorce petition; motions for new trial decided on the pleadings unless the four listed conditions call for a hearing; defaults scheduled only after the court's checklist is filed; withdrawals within 30 days of trial set for hearing.

Uniform Rules of Court for the District and Statutory County Courts of Denton County, Texas (eff. Jan. 1, 2025; filed with the District Clerk Feb. 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2307, registered 02/28/2025)

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).

Dress Code and Courtroom Decorum, JV-SO-2022-7, County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as a Juvenile Court (signed Apr. 1, 2022) — posted on the court's page

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.

Remote Hearing Orders — Seventh Amended (First Amended Order in Response to the JCIT Technology Standards of September 2023), County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as Juvenile Court (Judge Kimberly McCary; signed Sept. 18, 2023) — posted as 'Remote Hearing Guidelines' on the court's page

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.

Remote Hearing Orders/Plan for Detention and Related Hearings, First Amended, County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County (Judge Kimberly McCary, Sept. 18, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1582, registered 09/22/2023)

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.

Current Standing Orders of County Court at Law No. 1, Denton County, sitting as a Juvenile Court — JV-SO-2022-1 to 2022-12 (Apr. 1, 2022), JV-SO-2025-1, JV-SO-2026-1 (Jan. 6, 2026), Judge Kimberly McCary (TOPICs reg. doc 2822, registered 02/18/2026)

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).

Instructions – Occupational Drivers License (7-page packet: instructions, civil case information sheet, petitioner's affidavit and acknowledgment, petition, acknowledgment, DPS instructions), County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County — posted on the court's page

County Court at Law No. 2's occupational driver's license packet: since Sept. 1, 2013 district, county and justice courts have concurrent jurisdiction over ODL petitions except those arising from a physical or mental disability or a Penal Code § 49.04 (DWI) conviction, justice-court filing fees are lower, and a JP petition must be filed in the proper precinct (where the petitioner resides or the offense occurred); to obtain an occupational license the petitioner must be current on surcharges and installment agreements with the state and bring proof to the hearing; the packet supplies the civil case information sheet, the petitioner's affidavit and acknowledgment of the court's ignition-interlock standing order, the petition and acknowledgment forms, and DPS's post-order instructions (certified copy, license fee, reinstatement fees and SR-22).

Standing Order Regarding Motions for Summary Judgement, County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County (Cause No. SO-2026-…; filed for record with the County Clerk Sept. 4, 2026) — posted on the court's page

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.

County Court at Law 2 — Submission Hearings, Zoom Hearings and Jurisdictional Limits, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/646)

County Court at Law No. 2's page (Judge Robert Ramirez): when a notice sets a hearing by submission the parties do not come to court — the judge decides on the pleadings and documents in the court's file and allows no oral address by attorney or pro se litigant; anything the party wants considered must be submitted at least one business day before the submission date; only certain hearings may be conducted by Zoom under Texas procedural law and the court may allow non-evidentiary motions by Zoom, in which case all parties appear by Zoom using the link in the notice and must contact the court coordinator immediately if the link fails; jurisdiction covers civil matters over $500 and not over $250,000 exclusive of interest, statutory or punitive damages, penalties, fees and costs.

Summary Judgment Instructions (with Proof of Proper Notice Instructions), County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County — posted on the court's page

County Court at Law No. 2's summary-judgment instructions: every motion for summary judgment is set for an oral hearing and both parties attend unless the movant requests submission; a submission setting is obtained from the court administrator under the TRCP, the movant notifies the non-movant by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the date and time with a written statement that the movant will not appear but asks the court to consider the motion by submission and that the non-movant may appear; the case is still called and the non-movant may argue a properly filed response; no summary judgment is entered on submission unless proof of notice is filed with the clerk — an affidavit attaching the notice letter with its USPS numbers and the signed green card, the returned mail with postal notation, or the USPS tracking page; the attached forms (proof-of-proper-notice instructions with an annotated PS Form 3811) show acceptable proof.

Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts — posted on the District Court Administration page (dentoncounty.gov/612)

The Uniform Dress Code for Denton County Courts posted by District Court Administration (and reproduced on the 158th District Court's page): no shorts; no hats or caps; no flip-flops; no halter, midriff, open, unbuttoned, low-cut, tank or open-back tops; no leggings unless the derriere is covered; no clothing with offensive language or symbols; no sweat suits or exercise clothing; no pajamas; no sunglasses.

County Criminal Court 1 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/1316)

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.

County Criminal Court 4 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/1319)

County Criminal Court No. 4's page notice (Judge Chance Oliver): defendants without attorneys must be present on the date of their setting; defense attorneys may sign and e-file bond conditions before the bond-condition hearing; all case resets are handled in person, and attorneys may reset cases early in person (reset questions to the court coordinator by e-mail); court dates are on the case records search.

Standing Order of the Denton County Criminal Courts Directing the County Clerk to Issue Alias Capias Warrants, SO-2023-0001 (Feb. 22, 2023) — posted on the County Court Administration page

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.

Standing Order of the Denton County and District Courts Establishing Processes and Procedures for Unfiled Criminal Matters of the Magistrate Court Trial Processes (signed Dec. 10, 2019; filed Dec. 12, 2019; effective Jan. 1, 2020) — posted as 'Standing Order – District Clerk and Magistrate Court' on the District Courts' Local Rules page (identical prints on the Magistrate Court, County Courts and County Court Administration pages)

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.

Standing Order of District Courts of Denton County — minor children and their names (eff. Dec. 4, 2017; signed Feb. 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2304, registered 02/28/2025)

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.

Standing Order Regarding Cash Bonds in Disposed Civil Cases, State District Courts, Denton County (signed Feb. 2025; file-marked Feb. 21, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2305, registered 02/28/2025)

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 Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties, Denton County District Courts (filed with the District Clerk Feb. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2303, registered 02/28/2025)

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.

Standing Order Regarding Evidence, State District Courts, Denton County (signed by the district judges; registered Feb. 28, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2306)

The district judges' standing order that the sponsoring party must offer evidence in a format the court of appeals can accept: text documents as text-searchable, unencrypted PDFs converted directly where possible (scans OCR'd); document images at 300 dpi black and white; photographs at not less than 2,048 × 1,536 pixels; separator pages where the exhibit number is not on the image; audio files no larger than 100 MB and video no larger than 2 GB, in a format VLC or Windows Media Player supports, containing only the offered segments; and the sponsoring party must supply a compliant copy if the appellate court cannot open the exhibit.

Standing Order Regarding HIPAA, the Texas Medical Privacy Act, and Drug Testing Records, District Judges in and for Denton County (Feb. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2308, registered 02/28/2025)

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.

Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, Denton County District Courts (filed Oct. 20, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2640, registered 10/21/2025)

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.

Unified Standing Order of the District Courts of Denton County — Standing Order Related to Notice and Transfer of Bail and Conditions Issued in Criminal Felony Offenses Committed in Denton County, Texas (Senate Bill 9, 89th Leg.); filed with the District Clerk Oct. 8, 2025 — posted on the Local Rules page of the Denton County District Courts

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 of the Peace Payments — Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/380)

The county's Justice of the Peace payments page: online payment is available only to criminal defendants 17 and over for offenses committed after age 17; all juveniles under 17 and minors over 17 charged with alcohol or tobacco offenses must appear in person with a parent or guardian; payment constitutes a plea of nolo contendere and, under CCP art. 27.14(c), a finding of guilty and a written waiver of jury trial; the defendant must verify the correct precinct on the citation, pay with a debit or credit card in the name of the person on the citation (otherwise refunded), know the precinct number, amount and docket or cause number, pays a 2.75% processing fee, and the payment posts the next business day so an outstanding warrant may not be recalled until then; Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted, American Express not.

Standing Order 2024-001JP, Standing Order Regarding Compliance with TRCP Rule 501.4, In the Justice of the Peace Courts of Denton County (May 10, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 1945, registered 05/29/2024)

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.

Rules of Administration, Denton County Justices of the Peace (revised 1/2023; accepted Jan. 13, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 1095, registered 01/23/2023)

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.

Administrative and Standing Order Regarding the eFiling of Inventory, Annual Account and Account for Final Settlement, Probate Standing Order PR-2014-002 (Hon. Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Probate Court; filed Jan. 31, 2014) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

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.

Standing Administrative Order on Denton County Probate Court Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem Appointment Lists, No. SO-2016-00001 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed Feb. 24, 2016; filed Feb. 24, 2016) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

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.

Standing Administrative Order on Denton County Probate Court Mediator Appointment Lists, No. SO-2016-00002 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed and filed Feb. 24, 2016) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

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.

Standing Administrative Order Regarding Compliance with Texas Estates Code Sections 256.052, 257.051 and 301.052, No. SO-2017-00001 (Bonnie J. Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed Sept. 8, 2017; filed Sept. 11, 2017) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

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.

Standing Order in Accordance with Texas Estates Code §1054.201; Attach Certification Letter to Guardianship Applications, No. SO-2017-00003 (Bonnie Robison, Judge, Denton County Probate Court; signed and filed Dec. 12, 2017) — posted on the Standing Orders of the Court page

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.

Additional Requirement for Muniment of Title Cases (effective May 7, 2009), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 (Judge David W. Jahn; Associate Judge Edward Nolter) — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

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.'

Probate Court No. 1 Hearing/Docket Information (Court Calendar), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 — posted on the court's page

Probate Court No. 1's court calendar: Mondays and Wednesdays are the contested docket and status conferences; will prove-ups are heard by Zoom on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons; Fridays carry the DWOP docket (typically the first Friday of the month at 9 a.m., after notice where the court finds no activity), show-cause and status-conference settings every other Friday at 10 a.m. for compliance issues in guardianship and estate administrations (the court and auditor meet with counsel and parties), and pre-trial settings; Associate Judge Nolter hears Probate Court No. 1's settings on the odd-numbered days of each month, so counsel checks the docket to see whether Judge Jahn or Judge Nolter presides.

Probate Court No. 1 Zoom Hearing Policies (TRCP 21(d)), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 — posted on the court's page

Probate Court No. 1's Zoom hearing policies under TRCP 21d for applications for letters testamentary and muniments of title: the party requesting a remote hearing gives notice to all participants; the order, any sworn resident-agent appointment and the death certificate must be on file 3 days before the hearing or the setting is removed; proofs and oaths are executed during the Zoom hearing and e-filed afterward (never e-mailed to the administrator); a party not logged in when called reschedules, technical problems reschedule, participants use recognizable names and observe courtroom dress; counsel tells the judge whether the client signs on camera or before a notary; orders must drop 'the allegations contained in the Application are true', explain why a named executor is not serving (with a death certificate or obituary on file), state the executor's exact name as in the will, contain § 309 inventory and § 308 notice language, and omit power-of-sale language unless requested in the prayer; for muniments, an out-of-state applicant needs a resident agent, proof of death and oath of no debts may be combined, declinations from prior-named or co-executors are required, orders make no property or child-support findings, and the § 257.103 affidavit is waived only if all beneficiaries join and sign the application and no trust is a beneficiary.

S.O. PR-2024, Administrative and Standing Order Regarding the Filing of a Small Estate Affidavit in the Denton County Probate Court (signed July 9, 2024; file-marked Aug. 5, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2715, registered 12/15/2025)

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.

Court Instructions for Dependent Administrator of Decedent's Estate, v102 (7 pp, initialed and sworn form), Denton County Probate Courts — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

The Denton County Probate Courts' court-ordered instructions that every dependent administrator reads, initials in eight places and signs before the judge or a notary before leaving the courtroom (filed with the clerk; the attorney certifies having discussed the duties): the oath and the bond within 20 days of the order; letters must be requested from the clerk; published notice to unsecured creditors within one month, certified-mail notice to secured creditors within two months and notice to the Comptroller within five days where applicable, each with proof filed; a sworn inventory, appraisement and list of claims signed by the attorney within 90 days of qualification (failure risks show cause, revocation and a fine up to $1,000); an annual account within 60 days of each anniversary with reconciliation, bond-premium and tax affirmations, receipts to the court auditors and bank verifications under §§ 359.003–.004; estate funds in separately titled, FDIC-insured accounts, never commingled; no expenditure or reimbursement without a written court order except the few statutory exceptions, allowances spent only for approved purposes, cash withdrawals prohibited, receipts kept; no sale, transfer, long lease or abandonment of any asset without prior written order and personal property kept in Texas; a final account, delivery receipts and application for discharge close the administration; failure to comply may lead to removal and personal liability.

Court Policy Concerning Required Retention of Attorney and Self-Represented Applicants (Rev. 10/2024), Denton County Probate Court No. 1 (Judge David W. Jahn) and Probate Court No. 2 (Judge Christopher J. Everett) — posted as "'Pro Se' Representation in Probate Court" on the Local Rules of the Probate Court page

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.

Instructions for Estate Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims (annotated example, Form #102, 8 pp, image-only), Denton County Probate Court — posted on the Probate Documents & Forms page

The Denton County Probate Court's annotated example inventory (Form #102) showing what the court expects in an inventory, appraisement and list of claims: the schedules must add up and balance; a required bond must be sufficient to cover all personal property or the inventory cannot be approved; the inventory cannot be approved until the notice to creditors and the Estates Code § 308 affidavit of compliance are filed; assets with beneficiary designations, survivorship or payable-on-death accounts and insurance payable to others are not probate assets and are excluded; real property needs a legal description (street address helpful; out-of-state realty in footnotes); community assets are listed at full value then reduced by the surviving spouse's half; financial accounts show the institution's name and address and the last four digits of the account or policy number; vehicles show VINs; household furnishings and personal effects need itemization only if the decedent's portion exceeds $10,000; claims owed to the estate show the debtor, nature, date, amount and character; the format is an example and not required.

Denton County Probate Courts Local Rules (version 10-01-24, eff. Oct. 1, 2024) (TOPICs reg. doc 2457, registered 07/22/2025)

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 Positions and Policies for the Uncontested Docket and Decedent Died With a Will (Judge David W. Jahn, Probate Court No. 1; Judge Christopher J. Everett, Probate Court No. 2; 8 pp) — posted on both courts' pages (two identical prints: 'Decedent Died With a Will' and 'Testate Estates')

The two probate courts' positions and policies for testate estates on the uncontested docket (Judges David W. Jahn and Christopher J. Everett): complete the prove-up checklist; title the application by what is sought; the court will not hear the application unless the posted citation has been returned; applications must include the last three digits of SSN and driver's license or the reason they are omitted, why a named executor is not applying, the applicant's name as stated in the will, later marriages or children and charitable beneficiaries; at the prove-up the court takes judicial notice, makes venue and notice findings and swears the witness, counsel proves execution and qualification (a sworn resident-agent appointment on file before the hearing for non-residents; notarized declinations, guardianship number or doctor's letter, divorce decree or death evidence for named executors not serving); independent administration and bond waiver require sworn consents of all distributees where the will does not provide them, electronic or DocuSign consents and waivers not accepted; power-of-sale authority must be requested or consented to; self-proving affidavits are checked against § 251.104 and the alternative § 256.152 tests, with specific pleading and proof for out-of-state wills; non-self-proved wills require a subscribing witness or two handwriting witnesses; orders drop the 'allegations are true' recital, use the will's name, make findings on non-serving executors, say 'alternate' not 'successor', and include § 308 and § 309 language; muniment applications must show other named executors declined or were served, include no language beyond the Estates Code, may waive § 257.103 only where the applicant is sole distributee or all distributees apply and sign or appear, need a resident agent for out-of-state applicants, must include the Medicaid proof language and a MERP certification or exception proof where Medicaid was received, and need declaratory relief where the will does not identify the takers or property; copies of wills and probates after four years carry additional pleading, witness, ad litem and order requirements.

Small Estate Affidavit Instructions – Denton County Probate Court, with the Court's Small Estate Affidavit form (11 pp; revised 9.01.2017) — posted as 'Complete Small Estate Affidavit' on the Probate Documents & Forms page; mandated by the Administrative and Standing Order Regarding Small Estate Affidavits (July 9, 2024; TOPICs 2715)

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.

Standards for the Denton County Probate Courts Approval of Attorney Fee Applications, Rev. 09.2023 (9 pp; Judge David W. Jahn, Probate Court No. 1; Judge Christopher J. Everett, Probate Court No. 2) — posted on the Fee Approval Forms page

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.

Standing Administrative Order Regarding Annual Reports of Guardians of the Person, Denton County Probate Courts (signed May 28, 2026; filed for record with the County Clerk June 3, 2026; with the courts' Annual Report of Guardian of the Person forms and Request for New Letters attached) — posted on both probate courts' pages

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).

Standing Order SO-2023-00003, Standing Administrative Order Regarding Cash Bonds After Closure of Guardianship and Probate Cases, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (file-marked June 20, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2712, registered 12/15/2025)

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.

No. SO-2025-00001, Standing Administrative Order — Court Procedure Regarding Security of Cost for Attorney Ad Litem Fees in Determination of Heirship and Guardianship Proceedings, Probate Courts of Denton County (signed Jan. 27, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc 2713, registered 12/15/2025)

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.

No. SO-2023-00001, Administrative Standing Omnibus Order of Referral — Associate Probate Judge, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (Jan. 3, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2714, registered 12/15/2025)

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.

Standing Order Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence, Denton County Probate Courts, SO-2025-00002 (file-marked Dec. 12, 2025) (TOPICs reg. docs 2716 and 2719, registered 12/15/2025 and 12/16/2025)

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.

Standing Order SO-2023-00002, Administrative Order — Location of Mental Health Proceedings, Zoom Videoconferencing, Statutory Probate Courts of Denton County (file-marked Feb. 14, 2023) (TOPICs reg. doc 2711, registered 12/15/2025)

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.

The Uncontested Docket: When a Client Dies Without a Will – The Denton County Probate Courts Policies and Positions on Heirships and Administrations, Version 09.24 (9 pp; David W. Jahn, Presiding Judge, Probate Court No. 1; Christopher J. Everett, Presiding Judge, Probate Court No. 2) — posted on both courts' pages

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.

Involuntary Mental Health Commitments — Denton County Probate Court No. 1 and Probate Court No. 2 web pages (dentoncounty.gov/1208 and /1605)

The probate courts' mental-health division page (identical on both courts' sites): the Mental Health Court handles all involuntary commitments for Denton County residents, placing patients at North Texas State Hospital, Wichita Falls, unless the family obtains a private facility's bed letter before any hearing; every application goes through the District Attorney's office using the packet of Application for Involuntary Temporary Commitment, Certificate of Medical Examination and, if needed, Affidavit of Inability; the application is completed in detail with pages three and five notarized, may be faxed to the DA but the originals must reach the court no later than the hearing date; the certificate must be completed by a doctor no later than five days before submission or the application is denied; the $502 filing fee may be waived on a notarized affidavit of inability filed before the ruling; the page supplies the attorney paperwork for long-term commitment, modification, medication, extended and probable-cause hearings.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/481)

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.

Request for Tow Hearing Instructions (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308, Subchapter J) with Request for Tow Hearing form, Denton County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 — posted on the precinct's page

Justice Court Precinct 1's instructions for tow hearings under Occupations Code chapter 2308, subchapter J: the owner or operator of a vehicle towed without consent to a storage facility may request a probable-cause hearing by delivering a written request to the court at 401 W. Hickory St., Suite 227, Denton, before the 14th day after the vehicle was removed (not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays); the request must be completed with the specified information and designate the county where the storage facility is located; the clerk accepts filings Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; a $41 filing fee is paid by cash or money order payable to Denton County JP 1 at filing; the packet includes the request form and notice of hearing.

Scheduling Order, Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (Judge Alan Wheeler) — posted as 'JP1 Scheduling Order - 2026' on the precinct's Standing Orders page

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.

Standing Order for Civil Trials, Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 — posted on the precinct's Standing Orders page

Justice Court Precinct 1's standing order for civil bench and jury trials: parties and witnesses dress appropriately (no shorts, flip-flops, hats or shirts with obscene or suggestive wording) with cell phones off; arrive on time and check in with the bailiff outside the courtroom; parties who have not tried to settle arrive 15 minutes early to do so and the judge asks before trial begins; all documents and exhibits to be used at trial are exchanged no less than 7 business days before trial, or they may be excluded or a continuance granted to the other side; bring enough exact copies for each party, the judge and any jury; the courtroom supports audio, video and image presentation from electronic devices but the court will not assist, and parties may schedule a compatibility test through the court; witnesses are scheduled to be present when trial begins, an absent witness may be excluded as the party is required to move forward, and witnesses do not check in with the bailiff or clerk.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 — Public Notice, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/482)

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.

Courtroom Policy, Judge James Kerbow, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3, Denton County — posted as 'Dress Code' on the precinct's page

Judge James Kerbow's courtroom policy for Justice Court Precinct 3 (Denton County Precinct 3 Government Center, 400 N. Valley Parkway, Suite 2012, Lewisville): electronic devices and cell phones turned off or silenced; packages, purses and briefcases subject to search by the bailiff at any time; persons causing distractions or disruptions may be removed; proper attire required — shorts only as part of an employer's dress code, no cutoffs, swimsuits, exposed midriffs, muscle shirts, sagging pants, revealing clothing or sleepwear, hats and caps removed, shoes required; no food or drinks in the courtroom.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 — Public Notice, Civil Filings and Hours, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/483)

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).

Compliance Dismissal Requirements ($10 fee and no-fee charts), Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 of Denton County — posted on the precinct's page

Justice Court Precinct 4's compliance-dismissal chart: for the $10-fee offenses (expired license, license restriction, failure to display license or update address, registration insignia and plate offenses, expired registration, defective equipment, window tint, vessel certificate) the defendant submits the listed documentation — renewal proof, affidavits that the defect is corrected and registration was valid, tax-office receipts including the delinquent penalty (within the later of 20 working days or the appearance date), or DPS removal of a restriction — and remits the $10 dismissal fee no later than the appearance date on the ticket; for the no-fee offenses (no insurance, boater and hunting, fishing and trapping license offenses, hunter-education certificate) the documentation or request is submitted within 10 days of the offense or by the appearance date, with insurance agents contacted to verify coverage; the court notes the list is not exhaustive, may change, and is not legal advice.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 — Public Notice and Civil Filings, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/484)

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).

Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 — Public Notice, All Filings and Payments, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/486)

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.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 — Public Notice and Civil Filings, Denton County web page (dentoncounty.gov/487)

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).

Tex. R. Civ. P. 99(b)–(c)

The citation directs the defendant to answer by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next after the expiration of twenty days after the date of service — the distinctive Texas answer date every deadline calculation starts from.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 4

How Texas procedural deadlines are computed: exclude the trigger day, include the last day unless it falls on a weekend or legal holiday, skip weekends and holidays entirely in periods of five days or less, and count them for the three-day mail-service extensions under Rules 21 and 21a.

Business Court Division 8A, Division 8A - Judge Bullard Specific Procedures (TOPICs reg. doc. 2240)

Division 8A - Judge Bullard Specific Procedures, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/15/2025). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Business Court Division 8B, Division 8B - Judge Stagner Specific Requirements Eff. 4/1/26 (TOPICs reg. doc. 2916)

Division 8B - Judge Stagner Specific Requirements Eff. 4/1/26, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 04/02/2026). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Eighth (8th) Court of Appeals, Eighth Court of Appeals Anders Requirements (TOPICs reg. doc. 747)

Eighth Court of Appeals Anders Requirements, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Eighth (8th) Court of Appeals, Eighth Court of Appeals Local Rules (TOPICs reg. doc. 740)

Eighth Court of Appeals Local Rules, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Eighth (8th) Court of Appeals, Eighth Court of Appeals Oral Argument Requests (TOPICs reg. doc. 746)

Eighth Court of Appeals Oral Argument Requests, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21a(a)

A document filed electronically must be served electronically through the electronic filing manager whenever the recipient's email address is on file with it; otherwise service may be made in person, by mail, by commercial delivery, by fax, by email, or as directed by the court.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 510.8, 510.11, 510.15, 510.19

In justice-court eviction cases: the citation sets a personal-appearance trial day not less than 10 nor more than 21 days after the petition is filed; a written answer is permitted but NOT required (appearing on the trial day is what matters); no trial may be held until 4 days after service; and an appeal must be perfected within 5 days after the judgment is signed.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 1st COA Local Rule (TOPICs reg. doc. 767)

First (1st) Court of Appeals — 1st COA Local Rule, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 1st COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment in Appeals (TOPICs reg. doc. 768)

First (1st) Court of Appeals — 1st COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment in Appeals, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 1st COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment in Original Proceedings (TOPICs reg. doc. 769)

First (1st) Court of Appeals — 1st COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment in Original Proceedings, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 3. Form of Motions for En Banc Reconsideration (TOPICs reg. doc. 2910)

First (1st) Court of Appeals — 3. Form of Motions for En Banc Reconsideration, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 04/01/2026). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 245

Contested cases may be set for trial on any party's written request or the court's own motion with reasonable notice of not less than forty-five days for a FIRST setting; resets need only reasonable notice. A request for a setting is a good-faith representation of expected readiness.

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals, 14th COA Local Rule (TOPICs reg. doc. 751)

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals — 14th COA Local Rule, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals, 14th COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment of Related Case in Appeals (TOPICs reg. doc. 752)

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals — 14th COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment of Related Case in Appeals, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals, 14th COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment of Related Case in Original Proceedings (TOPICs reg. doc. 753)

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals — 14th COA Local Rule Notice of Assignment of Related Case in Original Proceedings, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/02/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourth (4th) Court of Appeals, 4th COA Local Rules (TOPICs reg. doc. 2749)

Fourth (4th) Court of Appeals — 4th COA Local Rules, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/07/2026). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourth (4th) Court of Appeals, Fee Schedule (TOPICs reg. doc. 1108)

Fourth (4th) Court of Appeals — Fee Schedule, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/27/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 216

A written jury request must be filed a reasonable time before the non-jury trial setting and not less than thirty days in advance, with the jury fee deposited within the same window.

Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 10

Local rules, forms, and standing orders must be published on the Office of Court Administration's website (TOPICs) — with regional presiding judges and the Supreme Court empowered to order amendment or withdrawal — and no court may require a party to use a local form or reject a properly completed Supreme Court–approved form.

Local Rules of Administration for the Texas Business Court (eff. July 1, 2026)

The Business Court's administrative rules (eff. July 1, 2026, adopted by all ten judges under Gov't Code §§ 25A.005, 25A.020(b) and TRJA 7 and 10): a three-month ruling standard for matters under advisement; reassignment and consolidation mechanics (severed cases stay with the severing judge; substantially related cases may be consolidated before the first-filed judge by the administrative presiding judge or by consent; relief premised on a prior Business Court judgment returns to its rendering judge; APJ docket-equalization reassignments); quarterly docket-equalization orders assigning a confidential, randomly sequenced number of next-filed cases (TRO cases excluded) to judges of other divisions who sit as judges of the originating division; the court calendar (state/national holidays, county closures per division, no settings during the Texas Center for the Judiciary annual conference week); visiting judges (§ 25A.014, TRJA 8) including APJ-requested coverage for absences beyond ten consecutive court business days; the emergency-matter referral chain (same-division judge first, then an APJ-designated judge); budget submissions through the APJ; the administrative-presiding-judge structure (majority election at the annual meeting by September 15 of even-numbered years for two-year terms, a pro tempore, § 25A.017(b) duties, delegation and committees, annual meeting the first Tuesday after Labor Day with monthly meetings); and rule-adoption mechanics (majority vote or 30-day no-objection circulation for these administrative rules; judge- and division-level local rules and guidelines under § 25A.020(b) and TRJA 7.2(f)(5) with division-uniform options; TRJA 10(a) publication on the OCA and clerk websites; a TRJA 7.1 confidentiality policy binding all court staff).

Second (2nd) Court of Appeals, Local Rules of the 2nd Court of Appeals (including amendments received through June 21, 2025) (TOPICs reg. doc. 2512)

Local Rules of the 2nd Court of Appeals (including amendments received through June 21, 2025), as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 08/15/2025). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Local Rules of the Texas Business Court (eff. July 1, 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc 3023)

The court-wide local rules adopted by all ten Business Court judges (eff. July 1, 2026), supplementing the TRCP in the statewide Business Court: bench exchange and administrative-presiding-judge docket re-assignment (trials stay in the division absent agreement; the assigned judge's forms and division practices govern); deemed consent to supplemental jurisdiction absent a severance motion or objection within 30 days; consolidation motions in the first-filed case; the mandatory Case Information Sheet and counsel-of-record mechanics with eFileTexas e-service subscription; scheduling orders proposed jointly within 30 days of first appearance or removal/transfer, accompanied by corporate-disclosure statements (14 days for later-joined parties; governmental entities exempt); the discovery-dispute prerequisite (good-faith resolution attempt, then a summary letter capped at 700 words with a 300-word conference certificate, a 7-day 700-word response, no replies without leave, and court-directed next steps) with cost-shifting statements; motion word limits (discovery 3,000 / replies 1,250; all others 7,500 / replies 3,000, with compliance certificates), 10-day responses and 7-day replies, pinpoint citations, unopposed labeling, conference certificates for all but dispositive motions, 10-day written-opinion requests, and summary-judgment written submission on the last business day before the 60th day after filing; mediation referral and immediate settlement notice; emergency-relief mechanics (clerk notification, proposed order, and a 2-hour pre-hearing certificate of grounds or notice); removal practice (TRCP deadlines unchanged, certified copies, re-filing of pending motions, filing in the operating division containing the removal county); sealing practice (redaction-first, in-camera delivery by secure link or Case Center, TRCP 76a, sensitive-data indicator does not seal); and miscellaneous rules — pro hac vice continuity after removal, vacation letters up to four weeks, the ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE accountability clause (use not prohibited; the filing attorney or party is independently responsible for accuracy and must comply with TRCP 13 and CPRC chs. 9–10), deemed consent to remote proceedings absent a 3-business-day objection, and amicus-brief leave with required disclosures.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 21(f)

Attorneys must electronically file documents in courts where e-filing has been mandated (statewide for civil cases in district, county, and appellate courts); unrepresented parties may e-file but are not required to. Filing runs through the certified electronic filing manager (eFileTexas).

Ninth (9th) Court of Appeals, Fee Schedule (TOPICs reg. doc. 643)

Ninth (9th) Court of Appeals — Fee Schedule, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Ninth (9th) Court of Appeals, Statewide E-Filing Rules (TOPICs reg. doc. 641)

Ninth (9th) Court of Appeals — Statewide E-Filing Rules, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Tex. R. App. P. 26.1

A civil notice of appeal is due 30 days after the judgment is signed — extended to 90 days by a timely motion for new trial, motion to modify, motion to reinstate, or proper findings request; accelerated appeals allow only 20 days; restricted appeals six months; and any other party may appeal within 14 days after the first notice.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 194.1–194.2(a)

In suits not governed by the Family Code, every party must serve initial disclosures — without awaiting a discovery request — within 30 days after the first answer or general appearance (later-joined parties: within 30 days of being served or joined), unless the parties agree or the court orders otherwise.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(d), (e), (g)

Under the restructured Rule 166a, the deadlines anchor to the MOTION'S FILING, not a noticed hearing: the response is due within 21 days after the motion is filed, any reply within 7 days after the response, the hearing or submission may not be set within 35 days of filing and must be set within 60 days (or 90 for docket need, good cause, or movant agreement), and each side must submit a proposed order before the hearing or submission date.

Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals, Standing Order No. 1 (TOPICs reg. doc. 104)

Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals — Standing Order No. 1, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals, Standing Order No. 2 (TOPICs reg. doc. 105)

Tenth (10th) Court of Appeals — Standing Order No. 2, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Third (3rd) Court of Appeals, Local Rules (TOPICs reg. doc. 190)

Third (3rd) Court of Appeals — Local Rules, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 01/01/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.