Melissa Mane Vara

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, "Probating a Will as a Muniment of Title? Seeking a Determination of Heirship with an Order of No Administration? You must address Medicaid!" (with MERP FAQs) — TOPICs reg. doc 447 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Probate Court 2- Medicaid Reimbursement Form", type Local Rules).

Because Medicaid estate-recovery claims are debts of the estate in Texas, the court cannot sign an order probating a will as a muniment of title or a determination of heirship with an order of no administration unless the Proof of Death and Other Facts states either that the decedent did not apply for and receive Medicaid benefits on or after March 1, 2005, or that the decedent did but there is no Medicaid claim — in which case counsel must also file a MERP certification that the estate is not subject to a claim or prove that none will be filed (death before age 55, a surviving spouse, or a child under 21); any MERP claim must be paid before the order can be signed.

Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules, "225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures" (pages 26–29; https://www.bexar.org/3628/225th-Civil-District-Court), updated effective July 1, 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 3022 (registered 07/01/2026 as "Local Rules").

Cases filed in the 225th stay there through disposition; counsel must confer (at least three legitimate attempts on non-emergency issues) before requesting a hearing; total time announcements; a docket control order within 45 days of the petition with trial within 18/12/6 months (civil jury/nonjury/family), amended agreed DCOs signable without a hearing if within those limits; hearings requested by e-mail to 225settings@bexar.org (under three hours: confirmed once all counsel reply; three hours or more: a brief Zoom or in-person conference, then confirmation the Thursday of the week before or the setting may be dropped); jury and multi-day bench trials set from the court's website with a docket call about three weeks out; motions for summary judgment set for submission 45 days from filing, hearing requests within 10 days; orders by submission with e-filing comments (staff-attorney review for substituted service, defaults and no-record relief); a DWOP docket the fourth Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.; emergency relief presented by calling (210) 335-2233 with notice to the other side; page numbers and complete signature blocks; the artificial-intelligence certification on all pleadings; ADA accommodations through Civil District Court Administration at (210) 335-2300.

Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules, "285th District Court Local Rules and Court Procedures" (pages 30–34), updated effective July 1, 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 3022 (registered 07/01/2026 as "Local Rules").

Random assignment by the District Clerk with cases staying in the 285th unless officially transferred (by agreed order with the receiving judge's consent, recusal, or consolidation in the court of the first-filed case); all settings coordinated through the court clerk, with a Notice of Setting stating the matter, contact details, date, hour and time announcement; a certificate of conference detailing efforts to resolve the dispute before any contested motion (dispositive motions, motions for new trial and ex parte matters excepted); temporary orders reduced to writing within 10 days and final judgments within 30 days or the case may be set or placed on the dismissal docket; summary judgments considered on submission with a hearing at the court's discretion and proposed granting and denying orders with each motion and response; agreed orders e-filed for staff-attorney review; unopposed orders lacking a signature presented at the morning docket; mediation of all contested issues before any jury trial with parties and settlement-authority agents attending; DWOP procedure; emergency matters through the clerk; the court honors all trials set through Monitoring Court for 2026, requires a docket control order, and passes settings only by announced settlement, agreed dismissal with court approval, or a granted continuance.

285th District Court Procedures (six pages, with the 2026 and 2027 jury trial weeks) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 285th Civil District Court page, View/54410).

The 285th's settings, conference, orders, summary-judgment, agreed and unopposed orders, ADR, dismissal-docket, emergency and trial procedures (the same text the court appended to the July 2026 Civil District Courts Local Rules) together with the jury trial weeks the local-rules appendix refers to: 2026 — April 6 and 13, May 4 and 18, June 1, 8, 15 and 22, July 6, 13 and 20, August 3, 17 and 24, September 14 and 21, October 5, 12 and 19, November 2 and 16, December 7; 2027 — January 11 and 19, February 8 and 16, March 1 and 22, April 12, May 3 and 17, June 7 and 21, July 19, August 9 and 23, September 13 and 20, October 4 and 11, November 1 and 15, December 6.

Special Order 2026 SO 03, 3rd Amended Standing Order on Special Conditions of Bond for Select Cases in County Court at Law No. 2, signed, ordered and entered January 8, 2026 by Judge Melissa Saenz, Bexar County Court at Law No. 2 (filed with the County Clerk 01/08/2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 2764 (registered 01/08/2026 as "Standing Orders").

Judge Saenz requests that magistrates, associate judges and Pre-Trial Services impose, at a minimum, for persons arrested on or after January 9, 2026 who are assigned to County Court at Law No. 2 and charged with DWI, assault bodily injury, evading arrest or detention, prostitution, possession of marijuana or possession of a controlled substance: no drugs or alcohol, a chemical-dependency screening with a licensed counselor, compliance with the screening recommendation, and monthly UAs with Pre-Trial Services (UA fees waived); the request does not displace the magistrate's independent assessment under Code of Criminal Procedure arts. 17.15(a) and 17.40, and screenings and recommended counseling are free to the defendant.

438th Court Guidance for Motions to Enter Orders, revision date April 2, 2025, "for public use" (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 438th Civil District Court page, View/47381).

Disputes over the form of an order are set by motion to enter in the 438th, never litigated by e-mail; before setting, obtain the court's available dates and confer with the other side (a certificate of conference on any unagreed setting); 15 minutes per MTE, preferably by Zoom ((210) 335-0448 for the meeting ID); parties must meaningfully confer beforehand, exchanging the proposed order and redline edits (one drafter, visible redlines shared on screen), or the MTE may be reset or the parties sent to a breakout room; MTEs set from the bench may not be dropped unless rescheduled with the clerk or an agreed order is promised by a date certain; no MTE settings on Mondays or post-holiday Tuesdays in jury weeks (otherwise from 1 p.m.), none on Mondays or Fridays in non-jury weeks (otherwise 1:00 and 1:30 p.m., with 30-minute MTEs only at 4:30 p.m. in non-jury weeks).

Judge Veronica Vasquez, Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, A Guide for Muniment of Title, revised 01.20.2020 — TOPICs reg. doc 440 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

The court's guide, which counsel must give the client under the muniment checklist: muniment of title (Estates Code Chapter 257) suits testate estates with no debts other than real-estate liens and no Medicaid claim; the process (application, ten-day posting, hearing with a witness signing a proof of death and oath of no debts, order, certified copies filed with the county clerk for real property); unless waived, the applicant's sworn affidavit of fulfilled and unfulfilled terms must be filed before the 181st day after the will is admitted (§ 257.103); Medicaid benefits received on or after March 1, 2005 require proof the estate is not subject to a MERP claim; the applicant acknowledges receipt of the instructions.

Judge Veronica Vasquez, Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, A Guide for the Texas Independent Administrator, revised 09.01.2017 — TOPICs reg. doc 444 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules"); Spanish edition, Una Guia Para El Administrador Independiente en Texas, revisada 1 de septiembre 2017 — TOPICs reg. doc 451 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

The court's instructions to an independent administrator in an intestate estate: qualify by oath (and any bond) within 20 days; order letters from the probate clerk; publish notice to creditors within 30 days and mail certified notice to secured creditors within two months, filing proof; file an inventory, appraisement and list of claims or an affidavit in lieu of inventory within 90 days; keep estate funds separate, collect claims, allow or reject presented claims; the court will not ratify the administrator's actions; close by distributing to the heirs under the order declaring heirship after debts and taxes are paid, on the attorney's advice.

Judge Veronica Vasquez, Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, A Guide for the Texas Independent Administrator with Will Annexed, revised 9.01.2017 — TOPICs reg. doc 441 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules"); Spanish edition, Una Guia Para El Albacea Independiente Del Testamento Adjunto Albacea Necesario, revisada 1 de septiembre 2017 — TOPICs reg. doc 448 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

The court's instructions to an independent administrator with will annexed: qualify by oath (and any bond) within 20 days; order letters from the probate clerk; publish notice to creditors within 30 days and mail certified notice to secured creditors within two months, filing proof; give statutory notice to will beneficiaries within 60 days and file the affidavit or certificate of notice within 90 days (separately, or with a combined title); file an inventory, appraisement and list of claims or, if only secured debts, taxes and expenses remain unpaid, an affidavit in lieu of inventory within 90 days ($1,000 fine for misrepresentation for decedents dying on or after September 1, 2017); keep estate funds separate, collect claims with ordinary diligence, allow or reject presented claims; the court will not ratify the independent administrator's actions; close by distributing after debts and taxes are paid on the attorney's advice.

Judge Veronica Vasquez, Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, A Guide for the Texas Independent Executor, revised 9.01.2017 — TOPICs reg. doc 445 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules"); Spanish edition, Una Guia para el Albacea Independiente en Texas — TOPICs reg. doc 449 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

The court's instructions to an independent executor: qualify by oath (and any bond required by the will or court) within 20 days; order letters testamentary; publish notice to creditors within 30 days and mail certified notice to secured creditors within two months, filing proof; give statutory notice to beneficiaries within 60 days of probate and file the affidavit or certificate within 90 days; file an inventory, appraisement and list of claims or an affidavit in lieu of inventory within 90 days ($1,000 fine for misrepresentation); keep estate funds separate; collect and handle claims; the court will not ratify the executor's actions; close by distributing under the will after debts and taxes are paid, on the attorney's advice.

Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules, Rule 4.O.1 ("A.I. Certification") and the 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures, "Artificial Intelligence Certification" (page 29), updated effective July 1, 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 3022 (registered 07/01/2026 as "Local Rules").

All pleadings in the Bexar County civil district courts must include a certificate, on the form approved by the Civil District Court Judges and posted on the Presiding Court website, signed by counsel or the self-represented litigant, attesting (a) that all drafted language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analyses produced by generative A.I. will be verified before submission by counsel licensed in Texas (or admitted to appear) or the self-represented litigant as accurate through traditional, non-A.I. legal sources, and (b) that the signer understands they are responsible for any failure to comply. The 225th District Court's own procedures repeat the requirement for pleadings filed in that court.

Bexar County Probate Court Administrative Order Number 2016-01, Administrative Order on Application for Guardian's Compensation in Excess of the Statutory Commission, signed April 27, 2016 by Judge Kelly M. Cross (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Tom Rickhoff (Probate Court No. 2) — TOPICs reg. doc 359 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

An applicant asking the court to deem a guardian's statutory commission unreasonably low under Estates Code § 1155.006 must, in separately numbered paragraphs, detail the factual basis for ten factors (time and labor shown by detailed time entries, novelty and complexity of the medical or financial issues, amount requested and source of payment, whether the ward receives Medicaid and has an applied income, time limitations, relationship to the ward, other paid professional assistance, preclusion of other employment, estate value and asset type, and the ward's location and placement or medical issues) and must provide a calculation of the statutory commission under §§ 1155.002 and/or 1155.003 and 1155.006; private professional guardians, attorneys, financial institutions and others serving as guardian are paid a commission, not an hourly rate.

Bexar County Probate Court Administrative Order Number 2016-02, Administrative Order on Application for Trustee's Request for Compensation to be Deemed Unreasonably Low, signed April 27, 2016 by Judge Kelly M. Cross (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Tom Rickhoff (Probate Court No. 2) — TOPICs reg. doc 360 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

A trustee of a court-created management trust (Estates Code § 1301.101) seeking compensation above the guardian-commission formula must, in separately numbered paragraphs, detail the factual basis for twelve factors (time and labor shown by detailed time entries, novelty and complexity of the financial issues, amount and source of payment, Medicaid and applied income, time limitations, relationship to the beneficiary, other paid assistance, preclusion of other employment, estate value and asset type, the ward's location and trust-management issues, the additional services of a corporate fiduciary, and the benefit to the court of a corporate trustee) and provide a calculation of the statutory commission under §§ 1155.002 or 1155.003 and 1155.005.

Bexar County Probate Court Administrative Order Number 2016-03, Administrative Order on File Administration and File Management, signed April 27, 2016 by Judge Kelly M. Cross (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Tom Rickhoff (Probate Court No. 2), incorporating Presiding State Statutory Probate Judge Administrative Order 2016-01 (April 5, 2016) and its Instructions for Filing Probate and Guardianship Proceedings, Related Matters, and Ancillary Proceedings — TOPICs reg. doc 361 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The clerk and all litigants must follow the Presiding Statutory Probate Judge's uniform file-management order (AO 2016-01 amending AO 2006-14): core matters concerning administration of the estate — appointment of guardian, probate, heirship, contests, objections to administration acts, pre-probate will construction, claims, removal of representatives, § 34.001/§ 1022.007 transfer motions, § 405.003 release of an independent executor — are filed in the base case, while contested matters bearing no direct relationship to administration — post-probate will and testamentary-trust construction, trustee removal, inter vivos trust actions, all applications for court-created trusts, foreclosure of preferred debt and lien, trial of title or right to property, interpleader, divorce and custody, personal-injury and rejected-claim suits, and bills of review — take an ancillary sub-docket designation or a new linked cause number; any base-case matter may be severed as ancillary at the court's discretion.

Administrative Order Number 2019-02, Administrative Order on the Form for Small Estate Affidavits, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed July 15, 2019 by Judge Oscar J. Kazen (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Veronica Vasquez (Probate Court No. 2), with the attached "Bexar County's Required Small Estate Affidavit form" (8 pages) and Order Regarding Small Estate Affidavit (2 pages) — TOPICs reg. doc 362 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Every small estate affidavit filed on or after September 1, 2019 for consideration by the Bexar County Probate Courts must be submitted on a proposed form and order in substantial compliance with the eight-page affidavit and two-page order attached to the administrative order and posted on the probate court website, with all blanks filled in accurately: the affidavit's sworn statements A–H (death, 30 days elapsed, domicile, no will, no administration, assets of $75,000 or less excluding homestead and exempt property, solvency, Medicaid status with MERP certification), the asset and liability charts (I, J), the family-history sections (K), the heirs-and-shares chart that everyone must complete (L), the boxed oath on every distributee signature page, and two disinterested-witness affidavits; the order form approves the affidavit, directs payment to adult heirs and deposit of minors' shares into the court registry under Estates Code Chapter 1355.

Administrative Order Number 2020-3, Administrative Order on E-Filing of Bonds and Bond Riders in Decedent's Estates and Guardianships, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed April 13, 2020 by Judge Oscar J. Kazen (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Veronica Vasquez (Probate Court No. 2), with Exhibit A, Presiding State Statutory Probate Judge Administrative Order 2020-5 (April 10, 2020) — TOPICs reg. doc 358 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Adopts Presiding Statutory Probate Judge Guy Herman's Administrative Order 2020-5 (April 10, 2020): because TRCP 21(f)'s e-filing exceptions do not include bonds, a bond may be filed electronically with the clerk of a statutory probate court — so bonds and bond riders in decedents' estates and guardianships are e-filed.

Administrative Order Number 2021-01, Administrative Order on Personal Service in Estates of Decedents under Title 2, Subtitle B, Section 51.051(b) of the Texas Estates Code, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed March 2021 by Judge Veronica Vasquez, Presiding Judge, Bexar County Probate Court No. 2 — TOPICs reg. doc 355 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Where personal service of citation or notice is required or requested on an individual who is in Texas in a decedent's estate, service must be made by the sheriff or constable unless a statute specifically provides otherwise — clarifying Estates Code § 51.051(b) (service by sheriff or constable when the person has no attorney of record or service on the attorney fails, absent non-residence or court-ordered substituted service under TRCP 106(b)).

Administrative Order Number 2022-01, Administrative Order on Probate Court One Associate Judge's Orders, In the Probate Court No. 1, Bexar County, Texas, signed April 1, 2022 by Judge Oscar J. Kazen, Bexar County Probate Court No. 1 — TOPICs reg. doc 366 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Orders signed by the Probate Court No. 1 associate judge under Government Code § 54A.209(16) are final under § 54A.214(a) or (b); the associate judge may render and sign orders directing the clerk to issue letters testamentary, of administration or of guardianship, and Health and Safety Code orders; the associate judge files a report listing all orders signed, which, if accepted and signed by the referring court, becomes part of the original orders, is maintained by the County Clerk and the referring court, and is forwarded as part of the clerk's record on appeal.

Administrative Order Number 2022-02, Administrative Order on Attorney Ad Litem Fees in Decedent's Estates and Guardianship Cases, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed 9-28-2022 by Judge Oscar Kazen (Probate Court No. 1) and Judge Veronica Vasquez (Probate Court No. 2) — TOPICs reg. doc 354 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

To align with the other statutory probate courts of Texas, the minimum base-line fee for a court-appointed attorney ad litem in a probate or guardianship matter is $600.00, effective on or after October 15, 2022.

Administrative Order Number 2024-01, Probate Court 1 Administrative Order on County Payment of Attorney Ad Litem Fees in Guardianships and Guardianship Related Matters, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 1 page, View/42241).

Because county-paid guardian and attorney ad litems in indigent guardianship matters are paid from a limited county account and many delay their requests past the budget cycle, from May 15, 2024 ad litems in county-appointed indigent cases must file their fee requests within 60 days of the termination of their appointment, or the fees may not issue without a showing of substantial good cause.

Administrative Order Number 2024-02, Agreed Administrative Order on Distribution of Probate Court Cases, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, ordered as agreed February 28, 2024 by Judge Oscar J. Kazen (Probate Court No. 1), Judge Veronica Vasquez (Probate Court No. 2) and Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes (Probate Court No. 3), with attached case lists (six pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court Orders & Forms page, View/41857).

On the creation of Probate Court No. 3, the three statutory probate judges agree under Government Code § 74.093 and § 25.173 that all probate cases other than mental health matters filed on or after September 1, 2023 are assigned equally among Probate Courts 1, 2 and 3 (cause numbers showing year, court and number); the County Clerk reassigns cases filed January 1, 1983 – January 1, 2020 evenly among the three courts within 90 days (with a status report if not), then the pre-1983 cases; Judges Kazen and Vasquez attach lists of cases to remain in Courts 1 and 2; future agreed orders may direct further transfers.

Special Order 2023 SO 09, Adoption of Standard Order for Discovery of Breath Testing Records for Intoxilyzer 9000 and Amended Standing Discovery Order on Copying and Production of Blood Testing Records, signed 08/29/2023 (electronic signatures August 28–30, 2023) by Judges Vara (Administrative Judge, CCL 15), Stowe, Saenz, Ximenez, Arevalos, Dominguez, Lira, Román, Saldaña, Peña, Huff, Speedlin González and Key — TOPICs reg. doc 1546 (registered 09/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The thirteen county court at law judges hearing criminal matters adopt the standard breath-test discovery order (Intoxilyzer 9000) and the amended standing blood-test discovery order for use in their courts.

Special Order 2016 SO 02, Amended Order Regarding Occupational and Interlock Restricted Licenses, County Courts at Law of Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered February 29, 2016 by Judges Longoria (Administrative Judge, CCL 5), Fleming, Wolff, Garrahan, Christian, Wright, Brown, Shelton, Stolhandske, Roberts, Chandler, Skinner and Behrens — TOPICs reg. doc 471 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Procedures for ODL and IRL petitions after ALR suspensions and DWI-conviction suspensions: filed in County Court Civil Filing and granted case by case; no handwritten petitions; no commercial-vehicle licenses (Transp. Code § 521.242); counsel must confirm eligibility; applications after § 49.04–49.08 convictions seeking issuance without time restrictions or an essential-need showing require ignition interlock for the suspension period; the original order must be presented to the judge of the county court at law of conviction or pending case and may need a hearing in the Presiding Civil County Courts; proof of SR-22 insurance, a certified driving record and proof of an installed interlock where applicable; no ODL or IRL on DWI-3d or greater; the granting court may order supervision with alcohol or drug testing and a monthly administrative fee (Transp. Code §§ 521.2461, 521.2462; Gov't Code § 76.015), modifiable for good cause.

Special Order 2017 SO 03, Adoption of Amended Standing Discovery Order on Copying and Production of Blood Testing Records, signed May 23, 2017 by Judges Longoria (Administrative Judge, CCL 5), Fleming, Wolff, Garrahan, Christian, Wright, Brown, Shelton, Stolhandske, Roberts, Chandler, Skinner and Behrens, with the attached five-page Amended Standing Discovery Order — TOPICs reg. doc 467 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The uniform blood-test discovery order for the criminal county courts at law: the District Attorney's Office and its forensic laboratory must digitally produce 29 categories of records (accreditation certificates and audits, laboratory policies and calibration-curve procedures, validation studies, standards and controls in the batch, refrigeration logs, proficiency testing, balance and pipette QC, personnel training records, maintenance records, instrument identity and consumables, t0 time, calibration curve and chromatograms, batch sequence logs, machine parameters, case records and bench notes, vial identification, uncertainty measurement, chain of custody, quality action plans, an inspection opportunity, and mass-spectrometer library, hit-list and tune reports) within 60 days of signature or by agreement; the order is continuing (48-hour supplementation), Brady and Rule 3.09(d) material must be produced the day it is discovered, and unproduced items and testimony about them may be excluded at a pretrial hearing.

Special Order 2024 SO 09, Amended Standing Order Regarding Travel While Under Pre-Trial Supervision, County Court at Law No. 2, Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered November 20, 2024 by Judge Melissa Saenz — TOPICs reg. doc 2128 (registered 11/21/2024 as "Standing Orders").

Defendants under pre-trial supervision in County Court at Law No. 2 may travel outside Bexar County and Texas without court permission unless specifically prohibited, on 48 hours' notice to their pre-trial officer and a UA within 24 hours of return; defendants on full or partial house arrest, tracking or curfew must stay in Bexar County unless authorized, but the pre-trial officer must permit verified attendance within 75 miles at a family funeral, physician appointments, attorney-client meetings, emergency hospital visits and Pre-Trial Services or Re-Entry Center appointments, provided no no-contact order is violated.

Attorneys Instructions for eFiling, The Civil District Courts of Bexar County (Office of Civil District Courts Administration; three pages; examples dated 9/15/2024–9/21/2024) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Civil District Courts and Presiding Court pages, View/43093).

When e-filing an order, always leave a comment saying where the clerk should route it, or it is accepted only as a proposed order and never routed for signature: "Presiding Court, [8:30 am / 9 am / Tax / Expunction] Docket, [date]" for matters heard in Presiding; "[assigned court], [hearing date]" for matters assigned to a sitting district judge (including summary-judgment hearings); "Forward to Visiting Judge Queue, Judge [name], [date]" plus an e-mail of the envelope number to the visiting judge; "Presiding Court, 1:30 Docket, appearing on [date]" for walk-up orders filed before appearing; "[type of order] – Staff Attorney Review Required" for defaults, Rule 106, gestational agreements, dismissals and agreed judgments; "Monitoring Court, [date]"; file each order once, separately from the motion, and bring the envelope number.

Before Setting a Hearing in Probate Court No. 1 (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 1 page "View Procedures Before Setting a Hearing", View/39753).

Before setting a hearing on an application to probate a will (as muniment or for letters), for administration, for determination of heirship or for guardianship (including successors), counsel must send the death certificate to paralegal Roger Murray and request a file review; once cleared, hearing dates are offered by e-mail only, in person or (if uncontested) by Zoom on counsel's own account; counsel confirms availability with the administrative assistant or staff attorney, then must e-file a fiat with the probate clerk within 3 business days and, for Zoom hearings, send the Zoom details within 3 business days, or the setting is dropped without notice.

Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules for the 37th, 45th, 57th, 73rd, 131st, 150th, 166th, 224th, 225th, 285th, 288th, 407th, 408th and 438th Judicial District Courts of Bexar County, Texas, updated effective date July 1, 2026 (40 pages) — TOPICs reg. doc 3022 (registered 07/01/2026 as "Local Rules").

The civil district courts' central-docket rules: public access and no recording without permission (Rule 1); every trial and hearing set on the Presiding Court nonjury dockets or the Monitoring Court jury docket except MSJ, DWOP and Rule 91a motions, which are set in the assigned court (Rules 2, 4.J); monthly rotation of the Presiding Judge (Rule 3); the 8:30, 9:00, 1:30 walk-up and 2:00 specialty dockets, announcements, multiple-setting conflicts, mandatory certificates of conference on date/time/format and on the substance of non-dispositive motions, orders due within two weeks with e-filing comment-section labels, approval blocks, separate documents, an agreed docket control order within 30 days of the first responsive pleading (motion to enter within 45 days), written-submission matters, Zoom protocols (8:30 by Zoom; 9:00 in person unless a joint notice agrees to a hearing of 2.5 hours or less by Zoom; Children's Court in-person rules), the A.I. certification required on all pleadings, Extended Assignments of a pretrial phase to one judge (up to 120 days) and the family-law policies (standing order attached to every petition, Helping Children Cope with Divorce, minors' testimony, default divorces, custody evaluations within 90 days, inventories and support itemizations, Domestic Relations Office) (Rule 4); the Monitoring Court jury docket, trial announcements due by noon the Monday two weeks before trial, carry-over week, motions heard by the Monitoring Judge, continuances, special settings, complex-case removal, proposed orders (Rule 5); scheduling (Rule 6); ex parte requests and TROs (Rule 7); post-trial hearings (Rule 8); mediation 45 days before trial with a mediator's report 30 days out (Rule 9); vacation letters (Rule 10); Attorney General Title IV-D deemed applications (Rule 11); interpreters (Rule 12); and supersession of all prior rules effective July 1, 2026 (Rule 13). The 225th and 285th District Courts do not participate in the Presiding/Monitoring dockets and append their own procedures.

Bexar County Criminal District Court Local Rules, Parts 1–18, signed, ordered and entered June 10, 2025 by Judges Michael Mery (144th), Catherine Torres-Stahl (175th), Kristina Escalona (186th), Stephanie Boyd (187th), Benjamin Robertson (226th), Christine Del Prado (227th), Jennifer Peña (290th), Ron Rangel (379th), Frank Castro (399th) and Joel Perez (437th) (District Clerk Special Order No. 73522; certified copy June 30, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2438 (registered 06/30/2025 as "Local Rules").

Eighteen parts governing the criminal district courts: courtroom opening, decorum and attorney conduct, media (non-disruptive news coverage at the court's discretion; none by the public) and judicial portraits (Part 1); the rotating Presiding and Alternate Presiding Criminal Judge (warrants and urgent matters only; not an overflow court) and the Grand Jury Presiding Judge (Part 2); the Local Administrative Judge and the Criminal Rules Committee chair (Part 3); grand jury (Part 4); filing and return of indictments in weighted sequential order, with co-defendant, same-defendant, probationer and pending-case indictments going to the first court and capital cases rotated (Part 5); arraignments, counsel under the Indigent Defense Plan, bail and forfeitures (Parts 6–8); written motions with grounds, relief and a proposed order, a Bond Reduction Form for bond reductions, three days' notice of hearings, ten days' notice of pretrial hearings with preliminary matters filed seven days out (Part 9); written, signed plea bargains (Part 10); docket calls, e-mail notice of delays, vacation notices through the District Clerk's website, Chapter 29 continuances (Part 11); examining trials (Part 12); trial matters and trial-conflict priority (jail cases over 90 days, then longest jail time, then oldest indictment) (Part 13); Criminal Law Magistrates (Part 14); jury management plan (Part 15); judges' absences (Part 16); boards, appointments and committees (Part 17); and adoption and amendment procedure (Part 18).

Bexar County Local Rules of the County Courts concerning the Electronic Filing of Court Documents in Civil Cases, Parts 1–7 (nine pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate and Civil county-court pages, View/20416).

The county courts' TRCP 3a e-filing rules: definitions; scope (all non-juvenile civil cases in the county courts, including appeals and matters before associate judges; filings with the county clerk only); documents that may not be e-filed (sealed citations and writs, bonds, wills and codicils, subpoenas and their proofs of service, in camera and Rule 76a sealed documents, restricted-access documents) and scanned-image filing of sworn or opposing-party-signed documents; TexFile mechanics through an EFSP, convenience fees, digital signatures deemed signatures (the first name in the signature block is attorney in charge), filing time (deemed filed on transmission to the EFSP, ten-day tardy receipt allowed, clerk accepts or rejects by the next business day, Sunday suit-commencing filings deemed filed Monday), deadlines unaltered, one document per transmission, e-mail address required, 8½ x 11 formatting; electronic service by agreement or order, complete on transmission, after-5:00 p.m. service dated the next business day, three days added to response periods, certification of service contents; electronic orders and public viewing; disputes decided by the assigned court and liberal construction. Rule 1.3 notes e-filing became mandatory for attorneys on January 1, 2014 under Misc. Docket No. 13-9092.

Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court Travel Policy, VTC07012024 (three pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Veterans Treatment Court page, View/42898).

Travel permit requests must be made at least 10 business days before travel, one permit per quarter for non-military, non-emergency, non-work travel, all subject to review; within Texas, the supervision officer decides (after case-manager and treatment status reports) for military orders, emergencies and work, informing the VTC team, with a UA due by 9 a.m. on return from overnight travel and remote court appearance for work travel; outside Texas, requests go through the supervision officer to the court, which decides and informs the team; no travel is approved in the first 90 days of participation unless scheduled before admission and disclosed at the plea; unexpected travel is routed through the supervision officer and manager; travel may not conflict with court appearances.

Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence ("Approved AI Certificate"), Bexar County Civil District Courts — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Civil District Courts and Presiding Court pages, View/40780).

The one-paragraph certificate that Local Rule 4.O.1 requires on every pleading in the civil district courts: the signer certifies that all drafted language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analyses produced by generative A.I. in the filing have been verified as accurate through traditional, non-A.I. legal sources, and that all attorneys of record or self-represented litigants submitting the filing understand and acknowledge that they are responsible for their failure to comply with the order; signed by the attorney or pro se litigant.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Check Policy (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, JP Precinct 1, Place 1 page, View/48595).

Effective immediately, JP Precinct 1 accepts a check for a filing only if the name on the check matches the party's name on the documents (for example, a check from "Winston Apartments" for a case styled Winston Apartments v. Joe Castillo); credit cards are accepted as an alternative; questions to (210) 335-4500.

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, Checklist for Appointment of Guardian, September 1, 2022 ("Checklist for Attorneys for Guardianship [9-1-22]") — TOPICs reg. doc 425 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

Before an attorney may set a guardianship application for hearing every item must be complete: the four-hour ad litem training registered with the State Bar; an application title matching the relief; a sworn application meeting Estates Code § 1101.001 (identity data, the CPRC § 30.014 partial SSN and driver's license digits, facts why alternatives and supports and services are not feasible, nature of incapacity and rights to be limited, custodians, property values, agents under powers of attorney); proof of personal service on a proposed ward over 12 (§ 1051.103) and service or waivers on parents, conservators, spouse and the proposed guardian, mailed notice or waivers to adult children, siblings, facility administrators, agents and declared guardians; citation returned; ad litem motion, order and answer; a certificate of medical examination or DID; resident agent; JBCC registration and background check (fingerprints for liquid assets over $50,000 or non-residents); proof of service and affidavit of notice (§§ 1051.153, 1051.104); a proposed order and unsigned oath e-filed as separate lead documents; a fiat from the court's templates; the attorney's verification that everything is filed and accepted; and an e-mail to the court investigator once the hearing is set.

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, Checklist for Probating a Will as a Muniment of Title Four Years After Death, September 1, 2022 ("Checklist for Attorneys in Muniment of Title After Four Years [9-1-22]") — TOPICs reg. doc 429 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

In addition to the requirements for an original will, a muniment application more than four years after death must be so titled, state the date of death and that more than four years passed, plead facts overcoming the default presumption, address Medicaid (no benefits after March 1, 2005, or MERP release, or death before 55, surviving spouse or child under 21), show citation returned and personal service or waivers on each heir (alternative service and an ad litem where an address cannot be found; notice to beneficiaries of any other admitted will), and e-file for review before requesting a hearing a proposed order as a separate lead document, unsigned proof of death, oath of no debts and statements of facts from two disinterested witnesses; the attorney provides the client the court's Guide for Muniment of Title and verifies that everything is filed and accepted.

Civil County Court Notice Regarding Required Information to be Included in All Fiats or Notices of Settings, Judge John A. Longoria, Local Administrative Judge, Bexar County Courts at Law, September 2, 2020 — TOPICs reg. doc 466 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Effective immediately, every fiat or notice of hearing in the civil county courts must contain all the information designated in the document posted on the Bexar County Courts and County Clerk websites and in the Clerk's Civil Central filing office; existing settings had to be amended, and failure to supply the required information by noon the day before the hearing may result in the case not being assigned.

Special Order 2026 SO 04, Bexar County Courts at Law 1st Amended Criminal Presiding Schedule CY 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 2901 (registered 03/27/2026 as "Standing Orders").

The amended month-by-month rotation of the Criminal Presiding Judge for 2026: CC7 Lira (January), CC4 Ximenez (February), CC2 Saenz (March), CC6 Dominguez (April), CC1 Stowe (May), CC8 Roman (June), CC5 Arevalos (July), CC14 Key (August), CC11 Peña (September), CC15 Vara (October), CC12 Huff (November), CC9 Saldaña (December), and CC1 Stowe for January 2027.

Bexar County Courts at Law, Civil Presiding Schedule CY 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 2599 (registered 09/25/2025 as "Standing Orders").

The month-by-month rotation of the Civil Presiding Judge for 2026 under CCL Local Rule Part 2 B.I: County Court at Law No. 10 (Judge Garcia) in January, March, May, June and December; No. 3 (Judge Rodriguez) in February, April, July, August and November; No. 15 (Judge Vara) in September; No. 9 (Judge Saldana) in October.

Special Order 2026 SO 05, Bexar County Courts at Law Criminal Presiding Schedule CY 2027, filed with the County Clerk September 2, 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 3117 (registered 09/02/2026 as "Standing Orders").

The month-by-month rotation of the Criminal Presiding Judge for 2027: CC1 Stowe (January), CC4 Ximenez (February), CC12 (March, judge TBD), CC5 Arevalos (April), CC6 Dominguez (May), CC8 (June, TBD), CC9 (July, TBD), CC6 Dominguez (August), CC11 Peña (September), CC15 Vara (October), CC2 Saenz (November), CC14 (December, TBD), then CC12 and CC9 (TBD) for January and February 2028.

Special Order 2026 SO 06, Bexar County Courts at Law Family Violence Presiding Schedule CY 2027, filed with the County Clerk September 2, 2026 — TOPICs reg. doc 3118 (registered 09/02/2026 as "Standing Orders").

The Family Violence Presiding Judge alternates monthly through 2027 and into early 2028 between County Court at Law No. 13 (Judge Perez: January, March, May, July, September, November 2027 and January and March 2028) and County Court at Law No. 7 (Judge Lira: February, April, June, August, October, December 2027 and February 2028).

Court Instructions for the Temporary Administrator of an Estate, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The temporary administrator must file the oath or declaration within 20 days and the bond by the third day after the appointing order (§ 452.004), send qualified-delivery notice of the appointment to all known heirs stating the 15-day contest window, continuation of the appointment absent contest and the court's power to make it permanent (§ 452.006), exercise only the powers in the appointing order (§ 452.101), keep funds in insured accounts, obtain court orders before any expenditure and before disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, preserve and insure assets, and at the expiration of the appointment file a sworn list of property received, a return of sales and a full exhibit and account (§ 452.151); with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the temporary administrator.

Court Instructions of the Guardian of the Person of an Incapacitated Adult or Minor, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The guardian of the person must file the bond and oath or declaration within 20 days of the appointing order (the qualification date), explain the Ward's Bill of Rights (Estates Code § 1151.351, attached) to the ward in the ward's language or preferred mode of communication on appointment and at each annual renewal, file the sworn Annual Report of the Condition, Welfare and Well-Being of the Ward within 60 days after each anniversary of qualification (show cause, revocation, removal or a fine up to $1,000 otherwise; form on the court's Orders & Forms page), account to the Social Security Administration for any benefits received, preserve and insure the ward's assets, file the final report when the guardianship closes on the ward's death or restoration, and consult counsel; signed and filed by the guardian.

Court Instructions of the Independent Administrator of an Intestate Estate, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The independent administrator of an intestate estate must file the oath or declaration (and any ordered bond) within 20 days of the order granting letters, give creditor notices (publication within one month, qualified delivery to secured creditors within two months, Comptroller notice where taxes are owed) with proof filed, file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 90 days of qualification (show cause, revocation or a fine up to $1,000 otherwise), may close by notice or declaratory judgment after six months, and must consult counsel; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the administrator.

Court Instructions of the Independent Administrator with Will Annexed, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The independent administrator with will annexed must file the oath or declaration (and any ordered bond) within 20 days of the order granting letters, give creditor notices (publication within one month, qualified delivery to secured creditors within two months, Comptroller notice where taxes are owed) with proof filed, give beneficiaries the § 308.002 notice within 60 days and file the affidavit or certificate of notice within 90 days, file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 90 days of qualification (show cause, revocation or a fine up to $1,000 otherwise), may close by notice or declaratory judgment after six months, and must consult counsel; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the administrator.

Court Instructions of the Independent Executor, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The independent executor must file the oath or declaration within 20 days of the order granting letters (and any ordered bond), publish notice to unsecured creditors within one month and send qualified-delivery notice to secured creditors within two months (and to the Comptroller if taxes are owed), filing the publisher's affidavit and affidavits of notice; give beneficiaries the § 308.002 notice within 60 days of probate and file the affidavit or certificate of notice within 90 days even if sole beneficiary; file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 90 days of qualification (show cause, revocation, removal or a fine up to $1,000 otherwise); may close by notice or declaratory judgment after six months; and must consult the attorney; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts (separate estate account, records, prudent management, bond premiums; no treating estate property as one's own) and bond responsibilities; the executor signs and files the instructions.

Court Instructions to the Dependent Administrator of an Intestate Estate, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The dependent administrator of an intestate estate must file the oath or declaration within 20 days of the order granting letters and any ordered bond, give creditor notices (publication within one month, qualified delivery to secured creditors within two months, Comptroller notice where taxes are owed) with proof filed, file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 90 days of qualification (show cause, revocation, removal or a fine up to $1,000 otherwise), file sworn annual accounts within 60 days after each anniversary of qualification, keep estate funds in insured accounts, obtain court orders before any expenditure and before disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, preserve and insure assets, file the final accounting when the estate is ready to close, and consult counsel; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the administrator.

Court Instructions to the Guardian of the Estate of an Incapacitated Adult or Minor, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The guardian of the estate must file the bond and oath or declaration within 20 days of the appointing order, explain the Ward's Bill of Rights (§ 1151.351, attached) on appointment and each annual renewal, publish notice to unsecured creditors within one month and send qualified-delivery notice to secured creditors within four months with proof filed, file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 30 days of qualification, file sworn annual accounts within 60 days after each anniversary (form on the court's Orders & Forms page), keep guardianship funds in insured, interest-bearing accounts and file an investment plan within 180 days, obtain court orders before any expenditure (including a monthly or annual allowance) and before disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, keep Social Security funds separate, preserve and insure assets, file the final accounting when the guardianship closes, and consult counsel; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts (no spending or transfers without court approval except lien releases, proxies, calls and assessments, insurance, taxes, costs and bond premiums) and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the guardian.

Court Instructions to the Guardian of the Person and Estate of an Incapacitated Adult or Minor, revised 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The guardian of the person and estate must file the bond and oath or declaration within 20 days of the appointing order, explain the Ward's Bill of Rights (§ 1151.351, attached) on appointment and each annual renewal, give creditor notices (publication within one month; qualified delivery to secured creditors within four months) with proof filed, file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims within 30 days of qualification, file both the sworn annual account and the annual report on the ward's condition within 60 days after each anniversary (forms on the court's Orders & Forms page), keep funds in insured, interest-bearing accounts under an approved investment plan, obtain court orders before any expenditure (including an allowance) and before disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, keep Social Security funds separate, preserve and insure assets, file the final accounting and final report when the guardianship closes, and consult counsel; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the guardian.

Court Instructions to the Temporary Guardian of the Person and/or Estate of an Incapacitated Person or Minor, effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

The temporary guardian must file the oath or declaration and bond within 20 days of the appointing order, explain the Ward's Bill of Rights (attached) to the ward, exercise only the powers expressed in the appointing order or later orders (§ 1251.101), and — if guardian of the person — file the § 1251.153(a-1) final report at expiration; if guardian of the estate, keep funds in insured accounts with excess in interest-bearing accounts, obtain court orders before any expenditure (including an allowance) and before disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, keep Social Security funds separate, preserve and insure assets, and, since a temporary guardianship may not exceed 60 days except under § 1251.052, file at expiration a sworn list of property, a return of sales and a full exhibit and account of all acts (§ 1251.151); with the fiduciary do's and don'ts and bond responsibilities; signed and filed by the temporary guardian.

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, Court Policy Regarding "Pro Se" Applicants (Applicants without a Lawyer), August 12, 2019 — TOPICs reg. doc 454 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

A pro se may not represent others: applicants for letters testamentary, letters of administration, determinations of heirship and guardianships of the person or estate must be represented by a licensed attorney (In re Guetersloh; Steele v. McDonald); a non-lawyer may serve as executor, administrator or guardian only through counsel because a fiduciary represents beneficiaries and creditors; drafting pleadings as a fiduciary without a license is the unauthorized practice of law; the heirs together may file a small estate affidavit in the limited situations where one is appropriate (see the court's Small Estate Affidavit Checklist).

Bexar County Probate Court #1, Oscar J. Kazen, Judge, Court Policy Regarding "Pro Se" Applicants, September 10, 2020 — TOPICs reg. doc 379 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Probate Court 1 policy on Pro Se litigants", type Standing Orders).

A self-represented person may not represent others: applicants for letters testamentary, letters of administration, determinations of heirship and guardianships of the person and estate must be represented by a licensed attorney (In re Guetersloh, Steele v. McDonald, Estate of Maupin); a non-lawyer may serve as executor, administrator or guardian only through counsel; a pro se may join the other heirs in a small estate affidavit, contest a will, guardianship or heirship on their own behalf, apply for safe-deposit-box entry or emergency intervention, or apply to probate a will as a muniment of title (contact the staff attorney).

Judge Cynthia Marie Chapa, 288th District Court, Court Procedures in Civil Cases (four pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 288th Civil District Court page, View/34097).

Nine sections: contact only the clerk (Stephanie Holman) by e-mail on procedural matters, copying all parties; courtesy copies of everything the court will hear; attorneys at hearings must know the case, have authority and be ready to log on to Zoom for hybrid hearings; for trials and evidentiary hearings, exhibit and witness lists, designated deposition excerpts and objections; voir dire of about 30 minutes in panels of eight with follow-up one juror at a time and an alternate always seated; a single joint proposed jury charge with numbered instructions and authority, disputed items marked, uploaded to Google Drive or sent in Word; jury assignments received Thursdays with a letter of expectations, no passing a setting for another trial unless actually in trial, everyone in court by 9:30; pre-marked, exchanged exhibits in tabbed notebooks, objections ruled on before trial, no passing exhibits to the jury without permission; Zoom cart, ELMO and easels available on arrangement; trial hours 9:30–5:00 with a 12:00–1:30 recess; decorum (stand to address the court; no eating, phones, iPads or recording; proper attire in person and on Zoom); counsel responsible for witnesses; counsel stay near the courtroom during deliberations and may not contact jurors without permission.

Court-Ordered Instructions for a Dependent Administrator/Executor, In the Probate Court No. 2, Bexar County, Texas, 09/01/2017, Veronica Vasquez, Presiding Judge — TOPICs reg. doc 446 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

Fifteen court-ordered duties a dependent administrator or executor swears to before appointment: consult the attorney, notify the court of address changes, file oath and bond within 20 days, publish creditor notice within 30 days and mail secured creditors within two months, notify will beneficiaries within 60 days, file the inventory within 90 days, file annual accounts within 60 days after each anniversary of qualification, keep estate business separate, hold funds in insured estate accounts with excess in interest-bearing accounts, obtain court orders before expenditures and before selling or disposing of non-cash assets, keep records, preserve and insure assets, file a final account and close within three years, and get court permission to move or be absent from Texas more than three months; the applicant swears to the instructions before a notary and the attorney certifies having discussed the responsibilities.

Court-Ordered Instructions for a Dependent Administrator/Executor (with or without Will), effective 9/1/2023, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page).

Fifteen court-ordered duties sworn to before appointment: consult counsel; notify the court of address changes; file oath or declaration and bond within 20 days (qualification when both are done); publish creditor notice within 30 days and send qualified-delivery notice to secured creditors within two months, filing the publisher's affidavit, copies and an affidavit of notice; give will beneficiaries notice within 60 days and file the affidavit or certificate within 90 days; file the inventory within 90 days; annual accounts within 60 days after each anniversary; separate estate business; insured estate accounts with excess in interest-bearing accounts; court orders before any expenditure not expressly authorized and before selling, leasing or transferring non-cash assets; records; preserve and insure assets; final accounting by the third anniversary or petition for an extension; court permission to move out of state or be absent more than three months; removal and bond liability for failures; with the fiduciary do's and don'ts (no spending without court approval except calls and assessments, insurance, taxes, costs and bond premiums) and bond responsibilities; the applicant swears before a notary and the attorney certifies having discussed the responsibilities.

Special Order No. 72116, Decorum Order, Bexar County Civil District Courts, signed August 28, 2019 by Judges Mery, Stryker, Alvarez, Sakai, Arteaga, Haas, Canales, Chapa, Gonzales, Pozza, Diaz, Jimenez, Salinas and Alvarado (District Clerk case 2019XX72116; certified copy September 9, 2019) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Civil District Courts page, View/22861).

No litigant or other person with business in the civil district courts or their staff offices (District Clerk, Staff Attorney's Office, Children's Court, Family Drug Court, Early Intervention Program, Domestic Relations Office, Law Library and the courts' bailiffs) may use threatening, harassing or profane language or racial, ethnic, gender-related or religious slurs; all must be courteous and professional to judges and staff, must leave immediately when told to by a judge, bailiff or supervisory staff, and are warned that threats against judges or staff (verbal, written, social media or email) will be reported to the District Attorney; violations may draw a show-cause order before the Presiding Civil District Court and contempt (up to six months' jail and $500 per violation under Government Code § 21.002); the order is posted in every civil district court and staff office.

Judge Sylvia M. Ruiz, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Memorandum to San Antonio Bar Association Members re E-filing requirements effective August 1, 2024, July 11, 2024 — TOPICs reg. doc 2471 (registered 07/25/2025 as "Local Rules").

E-filers in Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 must file motions, pleadings, notices, certificates, affidavits, declarations and discovery as separate lead documents (exhibits excepted), file orders as attachments behind the motion rather than as lead documents, file the affidavit of service as the first page of a return with the citation and officer's return behind it, submit every page in 8.5 x 11 portrait (landscape or legal pages cause rejection of the envelope), enter all filing and copy fees themselves, and select the correct case type and category; non-compliant envelopes are rejected and returned for correction.

Special Order No. 73681, Election of the Presiding Civil Judges for the Year 2026, District Court Judges of Bexar County, July 23, 2025 (electronic signatures July 23 – August 4, 2025; certified copy of the District Clerk December 15, 2025) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Presiding Court page "2026 Presiding Court Rotation", View/44452).

Under Government Code § 75.012 the district judges elected the 2026 Civil Presiding Judge rotation: January 288th (Chapa), February 407th (Torres), March 408th (Jimenez), April 438th (Alvarado), May 37th (Garza), June 45th (Alvarez), July 57th (Arteaga), August 73rd (Martinez), September 131st (Gonzales), October 150th (Diaz), November 166th (Salinas), December 224th (Flores).

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, Heirships & Administrations Checklist, September 1, 2022 ("Checklist for Attorneys in Heirships and Administrations [9-1-22]") — TOPICs reg. doc 428 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

For heirship: a sworn application under § 202.007, completed citation by publication with the publisher's and OCA affidavits, ad litem motion, order, answer and report, sworn waivers or certified-mail proof from all distributees 12 and older (§§ 202.051–.056), affidavit of service (§ 202.057), two disinterested witnesses (the court's definition: no interest in the estate or outcome and familiar with the family history; deposition on written questions if unavailable, § 51.203), unsigned witness testimony and proof of death e-filed for review, a separate proposed judgment with correct shares per the court's chart, ad litem fee and discharge (invoice and affidavit over $500), death certificate and the ad litem pink sheet. For administration: application, posted notice and return, sworn consent to independent administration (none with minors), proposed order with bond, unsigned proof of death and oath, and the attorney's confirmation that the client received the court's Guide for the Texas Independent Administrator or Court Instructions for Dependent Administrator. The attorney verifies all documents are e-filed and accepted before setting the hearing; a fiat from the court's templates is required.

Joint Order Adopting Ad Litem Fee Schedule, District Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Matters of Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered November 21, 2023 by Judges Mery, Torres-Stahl, Escalona, Boyd, Meza, Del Prado, Pena, Rangel, Castro and Perez, with the Bexar County Ad Litem Fee Schedule and Ad Litem Fee Schedule Guidelines (District Clerk Special Order No. 73225; certified copy December 6, 2023) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Attorney Information page, View/44028).

Under Family Code Chapter 107 and TRCP 173.6 the criminal district judges adopt the Bexar County Ad Litem Fee Schedule for vouchers submitted after November 21, 2023: hourly $85 with flat fees of $215 (262 hearing, motion to participate, trial), $165 (60-day and other hearings), $190 mediation/FGC, $115 staffings, $615 all-day hearings, $90 resets and $915 appeals, with out-of-court maximums of 1.5–3 hours per category; out-of-court time $60 per hour and travel $30 per hour (Google Maps from the courthouse, map attached); mileage at the county rate ($0.65); in-court time in quarter hours; $325 per additional trial day on appeal; unusual expenses reimbursable with pre-approval encouraged; vouchers within 60 calendar days of the hearing or service.

Joint Order Adopting Civil District Courts' Ad Litem Fee Schedule, District Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Matters of Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered March 2, 2026 by Judges Mery, Torres-Stahl, Escalona, Boyd, Robertson, Del Prado, Pena, Rangel, Castro and Perez, with the Bexar County Civil District Courts Ad Litem Fee Schedule and Guidelines (District Clerk Special Order No. 73722; certified copy March 4, 2026) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Civil District Courts page, View/53097).

Under Family Code Chapter 107 and TRCP 173.6 the criminal district judges adopt the Bexar County Civil District Courts' Ad Litem Fee Schedule for vouchers submitted after March 2, 2026: attorney fees $110 per hour in court (maximum 7 hours), $85 per hour out of court (maximum 5 hours) or a $1,000 flat fee; paralegal/legal assistant time $75 per hour out of court; citation by publication a $500 flat fee; guidelines — no billing beyond the hourly limits without prior approval, no delegation or subcontracting of the appointment, out-of-court time in real time and in-court time in quarter hours, n/a categories unpaid, out-of-county mileage at county rates from the courthouse with documentation, and vouchers within 60 calendar days of the hearing or service.

Joint Resolution Regarding Prioritization of Court Collections, County Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Matters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, signed July 18–19, 2022 by Judges Longoria (Administrative Judge), Stowe, Uzomba, Ximenez, Christian, De Leon, Román, Saldaña, Stolhandske, Huff, Speedlin González, Key and Vara — TOPICs reg. doc 468 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Priority of Payment order 2022", type Standing Orders).

Directs the County Auditor, CSCD and Court Collections to apply misdemeanor payments in a fixed order: for County Courts at Law 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 — family violence fee, then individual restitution, then monthly supervisory fees until current, then fines and court costs 50/50, then miscellaneous fees; for County Court at Law No. 6 — family violence fee, restitution, fines and court costs 50/50, then supervisory fees, then miscellaneous fees.

Local Rules for Electronic Filing, Bexar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Important Notice, dated July 24, 2023 [sic], signed by Judge Sylvia M. Ruiz, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 — TOPICs reg. doc 2470 (registered 08/04/2025 as "Local Rules").

From Monday, August 4, 2025, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 requires e-filing of all cases and no longer accepts paper filings: attorneys must submit new eviction, small claims and debt claim cases, subsequent filings and response pleadings through E-File Texas or E-File Texas Self-Help, and anything those systems will not accept must be submitted in person; pro se litigants may still file documents at the court.

Part 2, Local Rules of the Statutory County Courts at Law of Bexar County (17 pages), adopted by Judges Vara (CCL 15, Administrative Judge), Stowe (1), Saenz (2), D. Rodriguez (3), Ximenez (4), Arevalos (5), Dominguez (6), Lira (7), Román (8), Saldaña (9), Garcia (10), Peña (11), Huff (12), Speedlin González (13) and Key (14), September 2025; "Local Rules Eff October 2025" — TOPICs reg. doc 2611 (registered 10/03/2025 as "Local Rules").

Part A general rules (opening of court, robes, courtroom conduct, attorney decorum and the Texas Lawyer's Creed; the Civil Division (CCLs 3 and 10) and Criminal Division (CCLs 1, 2, 4–9, 11–15) with five specialty courts; time standards; unavailability by motion for continuance; three-day, three-week and thirty-day notice definitions; no photography or broadcasting). Part B civil division (a monthly-rotating Presiding Judge; fiats and notices of hearing must contain the information posted at bexar.org/1055/County-Courts and cannot be set by phone; ad litems appointed a working day before hearing; notice of non-suits and settlements to the Civil Assignment Clerk; withdrawal motions need a hearing unless agreed or substituted; signature notation on instruments; docket-conflict notices; out-of-county settings need ten days' written notice; motions to set must represent that mediation has occurred or will; presiding in CCL 3 or 10; e-filing; rotating mediator and ad litem lists under Gov't Code § 37.004; retention of complex cases; remote proceedings and technology competence). Part C criminal division (Criminal and Family Violence Presiding Judges and their duties; direct filing of complaints and informations with co-defendant, same-transaction, probationer and pending-case transfer rules; arraignment; appointment under the Indigent Defense Plan and withdrawal only by court permission; capias, summons, bail and forfeitures; written motions with three days' notice, mandatory criminal e-filing since July 1, 2017; pleas; docket calls, conflicts reported before 8:50 a.m. with a 5:00 p.m. next-working-day deadline; settings, resets and continuances; trial matters; judgments nisi; de novo appeals from JP and municipal courts docketed in the Presiding Criminal Court; Auxiliary Jail Court; priority of CCL criminal settings; remote proceedings). Part D administrative rules (jury plan, judges' absences, non-judicial personnel, court administration, adoption and amendment, the Local Administrative Judge, elections and committees).

Motion for Summary Judgment Procedures, 408th Judicial District Court, Angelica I. Jimenez, Judge, effective 3/1/2026 (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 408th Civil District Court page, View/56417).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 408th are heard in the 408th by submission without a hearing, taken up at 4:30 p.m. on the hearing date; a movant may withdraw before the hearing date; a hearing may be requested in writing before the listed date after conferring, by e-mailing the clerk (Clerk.408THCourt@Bexar.org, copying all counsel and self-represented litigants) for an approved date — settings made without prior approval may not be honored; oral argument is heard at 4:00 p.m. with no more than 15 minutes per side unless the court permits more.

Motion for Summary Judgment Procedures in the 407th District Court, Judge Tina Torres, 407th District Court, Bexar County (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 407th Civil District Court page, View/56730).

Motions for summary judgment filed in the 407th are ruled on by submission within the statutory deadlines; the court e-mails the parties the date the motion will be considered; a hearing may be requested in writing before that date after all parties confer on mutual availability, and every setting must be confirmed with the clerk before a notice of hearing is filed; hearings are scheduled after 3:00 p.m. with 30 minutes of argument per side unless the court permits more.

Motions for Summary Judgment Procedure for the 166th Judicial District Court, Laura Salinas, Judge (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 166th Civil District Court page, View/51652).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 166th are heard in the 166th and ruled on by submission within the statutory deadlines; the court e-mails the parties the date the motion will be considered; a hearing may be requested in writing before that date after conferring on mutually available dates, and every setting must be confirmed with the clerk before a notice of hearing is filed; hearings are in the afternoons, never at 8:30 a.m., with no more than 30 minutes per side.

Notary Seal Required / Unsworn Declaration Permitted, Judge Barbie Scharf-Zeldes, Bexar County Probate Court No. 3 (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 3 page, View/39907).

Documents that still require a notary seal in Probate Court No. 3 — proof of death and other facts (§ 256.157), proof of signature or subscribing witness (§ 256.152), statements of fact (§ 203.001), affidavits of service under § 202.057 unless certified by the attorney, applications to determine heirship (§ 202.007), guardianship applications (§§ 1251.003, 1101.001), temporary administration applications (§ 452.002), inventories in administrations and guardianships (§§ 309.053, 1154.053) and annual and final accounts (§§ 359.005, 362.003, 1163.005, 1204.101) — versus those where an unsworn declaration is permitted: waivers of notice in heirships (§§ 202.055–.056), appointment of a resident agent (§ 1104.357), annual guardianship reports (§ 1163.1011), consents to independent administration (§§ 401.003–.004), declinations to serve (§ 401.008; notary recommended), and, since September 1, 2023, the executor's or administrator's oath, which without a notary must carry the prescribed declaration language (§§ 305.001–.003, 305.051–.053, 305.055).

Notice Regarding Settings for Motions for Summary Judgment, Judge Marisa Flores, 224th Judicial District Court, Bexar County (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 224th Civil District Court page, View/56416).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 224th are set and heard by the 224th: the clerk selects a date 35–60 days from filing and e-mails notice (also entered in Odyssey); hearings at 3:30 p.m. or later, 30 minutes total (15 per side) unless more is approved; agreed resets must stay within the 60-day deadline and 90-day resets need the movant's consent or good cause; no setting may be dropped without leave; a party wanting a different date contacts the clerk, confers, and files a notice with the confirmed date, time announcement and reason; complete electronic courtesy copies of the motion, response, reply and exhibits are due by e-mail seven days before the hearing.

Notice Regarding Settings for Motions for Summary Judgment, 438th Judicial District Court, Rosie Alvarado, Judge (one page; file name "438th MSJ Instructions 8426") — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 438th Civil District Court page, View/56275).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 438th are set and heard by the 438th: the clerk selects a hearing date within 35–60 days of filing and e-mails notice (also entered in Odyssey); hearings at 3:30 p.m. or later, limited to 30 minutes (15 per side) unless more is approved; agreed resets must stay within the statutory 60-day deadline, resets within 90 days need the movant's consent or good cause, no setting may be dropped without leave and all resets must be confirmed with the clerk before a notice is filed (contact the clerk, confer, file a notice with the confirmed date, time announcement and reason); complete electronic courtesy copies of the motion, response, reply and exhibits are due by e-mail seven days before the hearing.

Omnibus Order of Referral, Bexar County Probate Court #2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, signed February 26, 2025 (filed February 27, 2025) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court Administrative Orders page, View/46648).

Associate Judge Ben A. Wallis III, appointed by Judge Veronica Vasquez, may hear any class or type of proceeding assigned to him within Probate Court No. 2's jurisdiction, including any aspect of a suit and ancillary matters, with all authority under Government Code § 54A.209; parties may object under § 54A.207; notice of the right to a de novo hearing before the referring court is given by the order, by posting outside the courtroom and on the electronic-hearing opening page, may be waived in writing or on the record before the proceeding starts, and a de novo request must be filed with the County Clerk under § 54A.216 with a copy promptly to the Court Administrator.

Special Order 2021 SO 02, Order Authorizing Criminal Magistrate to Issue Warrants, County Courts at Law Hearing Criminal Matters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, signed, ordered and entered 05/17/2021 by Judge John A. Longoria, Administrative Judge — TOPICs reg. doc 469 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The county court judges authorize the Criminal Law Magistrate to issue warrants for defendants released on bond who fail to appear for court-ordered psychological, competency or sanity evaluations, and to order them held up to 21 days in the Bexar County Jail for evaluation.

Special Order 2015 SO 09, Order to County Magistrates Regarding Screening for Military Status and Assignment of Misdemeanor Involved Veterans to County Court at Law Number 6, signed, ordered and entered November 12, 2015 by Judge Wayne A. Christian, Bexar County Court at Law No. 6 / Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court — TOPICs reg. doc 464 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

County Court at Law No. 6 being the Veterans Treatment Court under Government Code §§ 124.001–124.003, the County Magistrate on duty must screen every defendant at arraignment for VTC eligibility by asking whether the defendant has ever served in the United States military, Reserves, National Guard or State Guard; every misdemeanor defendant identified at Central Magistration as a veteran or current service member is assigned to County Court at Law No. 6, except veterans with a pending felony or family violence case.

Pro Se Hearing Guidelines, Bexar County Civil District Courts (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, District Clerk Forms page, View/20643).

A self-represented litigant must have the documents reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Office of the Staff Attorney for the Civil District Courts (100 Dolorosa, Rm 2.16) before being set on the uncontested docket, which is called at 2:00 p.m. in the Presiding Court (room 109); only uncontested matters (no answer or written objection) may be heard there — once contested, the litigant must set a contested hearing and give notice; the litigant must arrive before 2:00 p.m. with all required documents, orders and decrees, dress appropriately (no tank tops, shorts, flip-flops, hats, torn jeans; phones off; no food or gum), and proceeds pro se without assistance or advice from the judge, staff or clerks; the Staff Attorney is not the litigant's attorney and gives no legal advice; filing and service fees are not refundable.

Administrative Order Number 2024-02, Probate Court 1 Administrative Order on Settings, In the Probate Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed 9-26-2024 by Judge Oscar Kazen, Presiding Judge, Bexar County Probate Court No. 1 (filed with the County Clerk September 27, 2024) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 1 page, View/43644).

Because parties were settling or abandoning docketed hearings (in person and by Zoom) without telling the court, from September 27, 2024 no hearing, setting or appearance may be dropped within 5 business days of the setting unless approved by the court, and unless the court waives the appearance all parties must appear as scheduled.

Probate Court One Administrative Order # 2025-01, Rules Regarding Payment of Approved Attorney Ad-Litem Fees in Bexar County Probate Court 1, issued by The Honorable Oscar J. Kazen, Bexar County Probate Court One, Judge Presiding, so ordered effective February 27, 2025 (filed with the Clerk of Probate Court No. 1 February 27, 2025; 24 pages with table of contents and a one-page plain-language summary) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Probate Court 1 page, View/46650).

Judge Kazen's rules for court-appointed attorneys in Probate Court No. 1: a 10-business-day cure period; "the list" of eligible attorneys (good standing, current State Bar contact information, guardianship certification under Estates Code § 1054.201–.203, county-vendor registration, three sub-lists for guardian ad litem, attorney ad litem in guardianships and ad litem in estates, posted annually and refreshed every 90 days, sequential appointment with off-wheel discretion); declinations within three days by contact and filing; voluntary and involuntary suspension and removal with notice and a show-cause hearing; fee considerations under Rule 1.04; payment coordinated through the party's counsel; a base flat fee of no more than $600 plus costs, county-pay itemized rate $150 per hour and private-pay itemized rates by years of practice ($200 to $375–450 per hour); "pink sheets" required in every case (the county-pay payment order; a data-report mechanism in private-pay cases); itemized requests over $600 require an application, pink sheet, proposed order, fee affidavit and billing statement reviewed by the court's auditor (county pay: 90-day deadline after discharge; paralegal $25 county pay, $50–150 private pay; no clerical, secretarial or "I called Martin" time); no delay of duties over fees, with final orders held pending payment or jurisdiction retained; interim payments capped at $600 during disputes; fee-dispute procedure with in-person hearings (county-pay itemized disputes within ten days; private-pay objections seven business days before the underlying hearing); written Rule 11 fee agreements; the court's discretion to modify any fee; and a one-page plain-language summary.

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Judge Veronica Vasquez, Probating a Copy of a Will Checklist, September 1, 2022 ("Checklist for Attorneys in Probating a Copy of Will [9-1-22]") — TOPICs reg. doc 431 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

Beyond the requirements for an original will (Estates Code § 256.156): the application and prayer must say a copy is offered, the copy tendered to the clerk, the application must explain why a copy is probated, the diligence to find the original and facts overcoming the revocation presumption; posting with the correct title; citation to all interested persons with personal service on heirs at law (§ 258.002; mail service 20 days before the return day, § 51.052) or sworn waivers acknowledging the right to contest; publication for transient, unknown-address or non-resident heirs; for a codicil copy, personal citation or specific waivers by the beneficiaries of the original will; proof of execution if the will is not self-proved (§§ 256.153–.154) and testimony that the copy is an exact duplicate; affidavits or live testimony of two disinterested witnesses on the heirs; proof of death and an order reflecting the copy, the diligence and the overcome presumption; statements of facts, unsigned affidavit, proof of death, oath and a separate proposed order e-filed before setting; attorney verification.

Procedure for Setting Motion before a Visiting Judge, The District Courts of Bexar County (Office of Civil District Courts Administration; one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, Civil District Courts page, View/36393).

Only motions to enter, to reconsider, to clarify, for new trial and to set aside an order return to the visiting judge who originally ruled; counsel finds the Visiting Judges calendar on the county website, sets the motion in Presiding Court under the Local Rules on a date the visiting judge is scheduled to assist Presiding (8:30 non-evidentiary or 9:00 evidentiary), includes the Presiding Court Zoom information and the visiting judge's name in the notice of setting, names the visiting judge in the announcement to the Presiding Judge, and confers on the time announcement; every visiting-judge hearing must be assigned by the Presiding Judge.

Procedures for Motion for Summary Judgments in the 73rd District Court ("Counsel," letter; one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 73rd Civil District Court page, View/51248).

Under Government Code § 23.303 the 73rd's clerk sets each motion for summary judgment on filing, within the 60-day window, at 4:30 p.m.; all motions are heard by submission; a party wanting an in-person or Zoom hearing must contact the clerk for dates within the statutory deadlines, confer with opposing counsel, file a notice of hearing stating the time needed and why, and keeps the submission date if the request is denied; responses and amendments follow the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Process for Setting Motions for Summary Judgment Procedures, Judge Antonia Arteaga, 57th District Court, Bexar County (one page; file name "MSJ Process for 57th 1526 UPDATE LETTER 8726") — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 57th Civil District Court page, View/56407).

Until further notice all summary judgments filed in the 57th are set in the 57th, about 35 days from filing, at 11:30 or late afternoon with 15–30 minutes allowed; a motion not set within 50 days of filing is heard by submission; agreed resets must stay within 60 days of filing under HB 16 (effective December 4, 2025) and be approved by the clerk; written copies of the motion and all exhibits must reach opposing counsel and the court at least 7 days in advance, avoiding duplicative documents.

Rules for Mediation as adopted by the Bexar County Civil District Judges, Exhibit C (three pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, District Clerk Forms page, View/20625).

Eighteen rules that parties adopt by agreeing to mediate: the mediator facilitates but decides nothing, must disclose bias and steps aside if the parties disagree on serving, may meet jointly or separately and obtain expert advice at the parties' expense; parties commit to participate in good faith and negotiate their own settlement; representatives must have authority to settle and all persons necessary to the decision must attend; the mediator sets time and place; each party provides an information sheet and request for mediation before the first session; sessions are private and confidential (mediator not compellable; a party who tries to compel pays the fees; views, admissions and proposals are inadmissible); no stenographic record or recording; no service of process at or near the session; termination by settlement, mediator's declaration or a party's written declaration after one full session; mediator liability excluded; fees agreed in advance and expenses split equally.

Bexar County Probate Court No. 2, Small Estate Affidavits / Bexar County Small Estate Affidavit (SEA) Checklist and Texas Descent and Distribution charts, updated January 18, 2019 (7 pages) — TOPICs reg. docs 442 and 443 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules"); Spanish edition — TOPICs reg. doc 450 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

What a small estate affidavit under Estates Code Chapter 205 must show to be approved in Probate Court No. 2: use of the court's required SEA form; a death certificate; filing no sooner than 30 days after death; residence in Bexar County or venue facts; no will and no administration; every asset listed with a value (none "unknown"), community/separate facts for married decedents and exempt-property designations; total assets of $75,000 or less excluding homestead and exempt property; real property transferable only as homestead to the spouse or minor children homesteading with the decedent; every liability listed; solvency; Medicaid disclosure with MERP certification or proof no claim will be filed; complete family history and all heirs with correct shares in separate personal, separate real and community property per the attached charts; minor heirs' shares into the court registry until 18; signatures of every distributee (guardians and personal representatives with proof of authority; missing or deceased-without-representative heirs require an heirship application) and two disinterested witnesses; hearings only if the court asks. Pages 5–7 chart Texas intestate succession for married and unmarried decedents with and without descendants.

Special Order 2023 SO 19, County Court 2 Special Order Directing the State to Produce Blood Test Records, County Court at Law No. 2, Bexar County, ordered Nov. 1, 2023, signed by Judge Melissa Saenz — TOPICs reg. doc 1670 (registered 10/31/2023 as "Standing Orders").

In every DWI case in County Court at Law No. 2 the State must produce, on or before the 60th day after the information is filed, the laboratory's accreditation, inspection and non-compliance records, testing and calibration-curve policies and sample-selection criteria (A); validation studies, batch standards and controls, quality-control, refrigeration, proficiency, balance and pipette records, personnel training and discipline, and maintenance records (B); instrument identity, consumables, t0 reporting, calibration curve and chromatograms, batch logs, machine parameters and mass-spectrometer library, hit-list and tune reports (C); case records, bench notes, vial identification, uncertainty measurement, chain of custody and quality action plans (D); and a defense inspection opportunity (E); late production is reviewed case by case for admissibility of the blood-test result, and cases already on file had a December 31, 2023 deadline.

Special Order 2023 SO 18, County Court 2 Special Order Directing the State to Produce Breath Test Records, County Court at Law No. 2, Bexar County, ordered November 1, 2023 — TOPICs reg. doc 1669 (registered 10/31/2023 as "Standing Orders").

In every DWI case in County Court at Law No. 2 the State must produce, on or before the 60th day after the information is filed, thirteen categories of Intoxilyzer breath-test records (instrument certificate and solution files, the Cobra Data Log and maintenance file for six months before and after the test, NIST traceability and thermometer calibration, simulator-solution procedures, software documentation and updates, operator and technical-supervisor history files and disciplinary records, unpublished operating policies, and DPS annual inspection reports a year before and after); late production is reviewed case by case for admissibility of the breath-test result, and cases already on file had a December 31, 2023 deadline.

Special Order 2023 SO 21, Special Order Directing the State to Produce Breath Test Records, County Court at Law No. 7, Bexar County, effective December 4, 2023, signed by Judge Melanie Lira — TOPICs reg. doc 1707 (registered 12/04/2023 as "Standing Orders").

In every DWI case in County Court at Law No. 7 the State must produce, on or before the 60th day after the information is filed, the thirteen categories of Intoxilyzer breath-test records listed in the order (instrument certificate and solution files, Cobra Data Log, maintenance file, NIST traceability, thermometer calibration, simulator-solution procedures, software documentation, operator and technical-supervisor files, operating policies and DPS inspection reports); late production is reviewed case by case for admissibility, and cases already on file had a February 2, 2024 deadline.

Special Order 2024 SO 08, Special Order Revoking Standing Order No. 2016 SO 04, County Courts Hearing Criminal Matters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, signed, ordered and entered November 20, 2024 by Judge Melissa Vara, Administrative Judge, Bexar County Courts at Law — TOPICs reg. doc 2127 (registered 11/21/2024 as "Standing Orders").

By majority vote on November 20, 2024, the judges of the county courts at law hearing criminal cases rescind and revoke Standing Order 2016 SO 04, the Standing Order for Travel Requests, so travel by defendants under pre-trial supervision is no longer governed by that county-wide order (County Court at Law No. 2 issued its own amended travel order the same day, TOPICs doc 2128).

Special Order 2023 SO 20, CC7 Special Order to Produce Blood Test Records, County Court at Law No. 7, Bexar County, effective December 4, 2023, signed by Judge Melanie Lira (electronic signature November 30, 2023) — TOPICs reg. doc 1708 (registered 12/04/2023 as "Standing Orders").

In every DWI case in County Court at Law No. 7 the State must produce, on or before the 60th day after the information is filed, the laboratory accreditation, policy, pre-analysis, analysis and reporting records itemized in sections A–D of the order and afford the defense the inspection opportunity in section E; late production is reviewed case by case for admissibility of the blood-test result, and cases already on file had a February 2, 2024 deadline.

Special Order 2018 SO 06, Adoption of Standard Order for Discovery of [Breath] Testing Records for Intoxilyzer 9000, signed May 22, 2018 by Judges Longoria (Administrative Judge, CCL 5), Fleming, Wolff, Garrahan, Christian, Wright, Brown, Shelton, Stolhandske, Roberts, Chandler, Skinner and Behrens, with the attached five-page Standard Joint Order for Discovery of Breath Test Records for Intoxilyzer 9000 — TOPICs reg. doc 465 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The uniform Article 39.14 order for DWI breath-test discovery in the criminal county courts at law: on signature in a case the State must produce electronic copies of the Intoxilyzer 9000's Instrument Certificate File, Solution File (AutoCal and simulator solution certifications, ethanol expiration records), database report (six months before through one month after the test), Maintenance File, NIST traceability and thermometer-calibration records, technical-supervisor–DPS communications (six months before through two months after), the simulator-solution protocol, the data-management software manual, software-update records, the operator's history file and certificate, the technical supervisor's certificate, unpublished operating policies, DPS annual inspection reports for a year before and after, and the raw .xls data, with copy and labor charges capped by Government Code Chapter 552 subchapter F rates and an itemized estimate when charges exceed $40.

Standards for Probate Court No. 2, Approval of Attorney Fee Applications ("Attorney's Fees in Probate Court"), effective 03/01/2022 (inner pages effective 08/01/2019; 10 pages) — TOPICs reg. doc 456 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Local Rules").

Guidelines for attorney and fiduciary fees: court-approved hourly rates for a fiduciary's attorney by years practicing probate and guardianship law (up to $200 for 0–2 years through $375–400 for 17+), resumes with a first application; attorney ad litem and guardian ad litem fees (county-pay cases ordinarily $500–600 for the first three hours then $150 per hour; solvent estates ordinarily $500–600 for a typical appointment; invoice and affidavit for requests over $500); dual compensation for attorney-fiduciaries only on disclosure with segregated records ($50–75 per hour for fiduciary services); guardianship close-out fees (heirship in lieu of administration capped at $2,500); paralegal time at $50–110 with $25 credentials increments; billing in .1-hour increments, no block billing, descriptions and legends; application content, time-period titles and proposed orders with blank amounts; travel, no basic research, no fee-application preparation or clerk-call time, copies at up to $.15 per page, no fax charges; costs caused by misfeasance charged to the responsible party; applications held ten days for objections and decided on submission unless significant, and fee requests filed as applications, not claims.

Standing Order, In the Criminal Law Magistrate's Court of Bexar County, signed and entered August 12, 2025 by Liza A. Rodriguez, Criminal Law Magistrate of Bexar County (District Clerk Special Order No. 73535) — TOPICs reg. doc 2507 (registered 08/13/2025 as "Standing Orders").

The Health and Human Services Commission, the Center for Health Care Services Outpatient Competency Restoration Program, the Alamo Area Council of Governments Community Based Competency Restoration Program and the Bexar County Jail Based Competency Restoration Program are authorized to screen Bexar County defendants as they deem necessary to determine whether the defendants are appropriate for those programs and/or need re-evaluation for competency to stand trial; effective retroactively to February 3, 2025.

Standing Order in Limine, 73rd Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas, signed 2025 by Elizabeth Martinez, District Court Judge (five pages) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 73rd Civil District Court page, View/51246).

Unless suspended for a specific trial, no attorney may mention before the jury or venire, without first approaching the bench for a ruling, any of 26 listed matters — liability insurance and jurors' insurance-industry ties, ability to pay a judgment, collateral sources and letters of protection, the retention of counsel, attorney's fees, offers of independent medical examination, criminal history, alcohol or drug use, settlement or mediation, discovery disputes, prior suits or claims, ex parte witness statements, absent witnesses, failure to call a witness, unadmitted exhibits and visual aids, requests for stipulations or files, discrimination arguments, social cost of an award, hardship, the golden rule, counsel's opinion of credibility, the effect of jury answers, and undisclosed witnesses or documents (with objections to undisclosed evidence raised at pretrial or outside the jury's hearing); attorneys must admonish clients and friendly witnesses accordingly.

Standing Order of Referral to the Bexar County Felony Pre-Indictment Court Associate Judges and the Bexar County Criminal Law Magistrate regarding Chapter 47 Property Disposition Hearings and Article 51.13 Extradition Hearings, signed and ordered 07/08/2026 (electronic signatures June 26 – July 8, 2026) by Judges Michael Mery (144th), Catherine Torres-Stahl (175th), Kristina Escalona (186th), Stephanie Boyd (187th), Benjamin Robertson (226th), Christine Del Prado (227th), Jennifer Peña (290th), Ron Rangel (379th), Frank Castro (399th) and Joel Perez (437th) (District Clerk Special Order No. 73782; certified copy July 8, 2026) — TOPICs reg. doc 3030 (registered 07/13/2026 as "Standing Orders").

Hearings under Article 47.01a (property disposition) and Article 51.13 (extradition) of the Code of Criminal Procedure are referred to Felony Pre-Indictment Courts 1 and 2 and/or the Criminal Law Magistrate Court as "necessary and proper" matters under Government Code §§ 54A.006(a)(11) and 54.906(a)(8); an associate judge's action becomes a decree of the assigned district court unless superseded within 30 days (§ 54A.013), and the magistrate's action is adopted unless superseded by the end of the term (§ 54.912); each referral continues until a district judge orders otherwise.

Standing Order on Bond Conditions for Misdemeanor Family Violence Cases, County Courts at Law 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14 and 15, signed February 1–4, 2022 by Judges Stowe, Roman, Uzomba, Stolhandske, Ximenez, Key, Longoria (Administrative Judge), Vara and Christian — TOPICs reg. doc 462 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Directs Bexar County Pre-Trial Services and the magistrate judges conducting magistration that all bond conditions, such as GPS monitoring and no-contact orders, remain in effect for every bond posted by a defendant in a misdemeanor family violence case until final disposition, unless the court directs otherwise by waiver or modification.

Special Order 2023 SO 08, Standing Order on Trial Procedures in County Court at Law Number 7 and Impact Court Number 7, signed, ordered and entered August 21, 2023 by Judge Melanie M. Lira, Presiding, Bexar County Court at Law No. 7 — TOPICs reg. doc 1531 (registered 08/21/2023 as "Standing Orders").

All motions must be written and filed and served under the CCL Local Rules and the Code of Criminal Procedure; County Court at Law No. 7 and Impact Court No. 7 each hold a Call Docket the Thursday before Monday trials, with Impact Court trials Monday through Wednesday; neither court gives an automatic "not ready" continuance — a party not ready must file a Chapter 29 motion for continuance and present it for ruling, and even an agreed continuance requires both parties to approach the bench for a good-cause determination.

Standing Order, In re Trial Subpoenas & Grand Jury Summons (Fair Credit Reporting Act), Criminal District Court Judges of Bexar County, ordered July 18, 2023 (electronic signatures July 11–18, 2023) by Judges Mery, Escalona, Meza, Pena, Castro, Torres-Stahl, Boyd, Del Prado, Rangel and Perez — TOPICs reg. doc 1487 (registered 07/31/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(1), the foreperson of any grand jury empanelled by the criminal district courts and any attorney representing the State before the grand jury or in an indicted case are authorized, without further order, to request from any entity the information necessary to resolve criminal investigations; a copy of the order must be attached to every grand jury summons and trial subpoena directed to a consumer reporting agency, which must comply (supplying a competent witness if necessary) and remains subject to Chapter 24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Standing Order Regarding Child(ren), Property and Conduct of Parties in Divorce and Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, Civil District Courts of Bexar County, signed August 27, 2018 by Judges Mery, Stryker, Walsh, Sakai, Arteaga, Price, Canales, Casseb, Gonzales, Pozza, Yanta, Jimenez, Salinas and Alvarado (District Clerk document 70805, Vol. 4986 Pg. 1652) — TOPICs reg. doc 1773 (registered 01/04/2024 as "Standing Orders").

The order that attaches to every divorce petition and every SAPCR petition filed in Bexar County and takes effect on filing as a temporary restraining order renewed every fourteen days until a temporary injunction or, if uncontested within fourteen days, continues as a temporary injunction until final order: no removing children from Texas, changing schools or residence, hiding children, disturbing their peace, disparaging the other party's family, discussing the litigation with them, using illegal controlled substances within 12 hours of possession, or (in an original divorce) romantic overnight guests during possession (10 p.m.–7 a.m.); no vulgar or threatening communications, harassing calls or mail diversion; in divorces, preservation of property and funds (no transfers, new debt, withdrawals, retirement borrowing, endorsing the other's name, cancelling cards, taking the other's vehicle, reducing tax withholding, cutting utilities, intercepting communications or excluding the other party from their residence), preservation of records, and no changes to insurance; expenditures authorized for usual business, attorney's fees and reasonable living expenses; protective orders prevail; parties encouraged to mediate; bond waived; and parents of minor children must attend the Helping Children Cope with Divorce family stabilization program within 60 days of filing.

Standing Order Regarding Interim Court Appointed Attorney Invoices, Criminal Law Magistrate Court of Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered November 14, 2025 by Judge Liza A. Rodriguez, Criminal Law Magistrate (District Clerk Special Order No. 73665; certified copy November 14, 2025) — TOPICs reg. doc 2673 (registered 11/14/2025 as "Standing Orders").

Appointed attorneys representing defendants in matters involving competency or sanity evaluations are pre-approved to submit interim invoices; interim invoices must comply with Guidelines #21 and #22 of the Fee Schedule Guidelines; and because competency and sanity cases are "extraordinary circumstances" under Guideline #21, more than one interim voucher may be submitted as necessary and appropriate.

Standing Order Regarding Pre-Trial Supervision, District Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Matters of Bexar County, signed, ordered and entered August 12, 2024 by Judges Mery, Torres-Stahl, Escalona, Boyd, Meza, Del Prado, Peña, Rangel, Castro and Perez (District Clerk Special Order No. 73334; certified copy August 15, 2024) — TOPICs reg. doc 2034 (registered 08/16/2024 as "Standing Orders").

Pre-Trial Supervision officers must permit persons under pre-trial supervision, including GPS monitoring, to attend four verified events without further permission or court order, provided no no-contact order is violated: the funeral of an immediate family member (absent other condition conflicts), a physician appointment, a meeting with the attorney of record at the attorney's office, and a hospital or emergency clinic visit for a verified medical emergency.

Standing Order Regarding Subpoenas, District Courts Giving Preference to Criminal Matters of Bexar County, signed and ordered July 18, 2023 (electronic signatures July 11–18, 2023) by Judges Mery, Escalona, Meza, Pena, Castro, Torres-Stahl, Boyd, Del Prado, Rangel and Perez — TOPICs reg. doc 1488 (registered 07/31/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Invoking 45 CFR 164.512(f)(1)(ii)(A) (HIPAA law-enforcement disclosures under a court order or a subpoena or summons issued by a judicial officer) and 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b)(7) and (11) (Privacy Act law-enforcement request and court-order exceptions), the criminal district judges authorize the grand jury foreperson and the State's attorney, without further order, to request all necessary information from covered entities and federal agencies; a copy of the order must be attached to every such subpoena, and the covered entity or agency must comply forthwith, remains subject to Chapter 24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and must supply a competent witness if necessary.

Standing Orders of the Bexar County Criminal District Courts: Special Order No. 72472 (December 11, 2019; Vol. 5235 Pg. 1016), Special Order No. 35751 with Opinion 35752 (October 5, 2001), Special Order No. 64807 (February 1, 2012; Vol. 3816 Pg. 13) and the Joint Order of Referral to Magistrate on Matters Involving Disposition of Contraband (August 18, 2011; document 64460, Vol. 3738 Pg. 1848) — TOPICs reg. doc 698 (registered 01/01/2023 as "Standing Orders").

Four historical standing orders registered together: (1) Special Order 72472 (December 11, 2019) directing the Sheriff's Department and Court Security to use the Cadena Reeves Justice Center sally-port exit when escorting jurors and the public after hours; (2) Special Order 35751 (October 5, 2001, with its six-page opinion) authorizing grand jury summons to federal agencies under the Privacy Act exceptions; (3) Special Order 64807 (February 1, 2012) attaching a HIPAA standing order to the Criminal District Attorney's trial subpoenas to covered entities; and (4) the August 18, 2011 Joint Order of Referral sending all Article 18.18 disposition-of-contraband matters to the Criminal Law Magistrate unless a district court retains them. Items (2) and (3) have since been re-entered and combined by the July 2023 Standing Order Regarding Subpoenas (TOPICs doc 1488); item (4) is the operative referral for contraband dispositions, and item (1) directs court security rather than litigants.

Summary Judgment Procedure for the 131st District Court, Norma Gonzales, Judge, 131st Judicial District Court, Bexar County (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 131st Civil District Court page, View/55175).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 131st are heard in the 131st, not Presiding Court; the court e-mails a hearing date 35–45 days from filing, usually between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.; the parties have 30 minutes to present and respond; the filing party files a notice of hearing within 3 days of receiving the date; the court advises when to expect a ruling.

Summary Judgment Procedure for the 37th District Court, Nicole Garza, Judge, 37th District Court, Bexar County (one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 37th Civil District Court page, View/56200).

All motions for summary judgment filed in the 37th are heard in the 37th, not Presiding Court; the court e-mails the parties a hearing date 35–45 days from filing, usually between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.; the parties have 30 minutes to present and respond; the filing party must file a notice of hearing within 3 days of receiving the date; the court advises after the hearing when to expect a ruling.

Summary Judgment Procedures — 288th ("Dear Counsel and Pro Se Litigants" letter; one page) — posted by Bexar County (www.bexar.org, 288th Civil District Court page, View/55337).

From November 13, 2025 all motions for summary judgment filed in the 288th are heard in the 288th rather than Presiding Court; motions already set in Presiding must be reset in the 288th after all parties confer on mutual availability and obtain an approved date from the clerk by e-mail, and settings made without prior approval may not be honored (the court sets its own submission date otherwise); for motions filed on or after December 4, 2025 the § 23.303(a) 60-day setting deadline is strictly enforced; MSJs are heard in the afternoons, never at 8:30 a.m., and by submission unless a hearing is requested.

Special Order 2023 SO 11, Third Amended Joint Order Revising Fee Schedule, County Courts at Law Giving Preference to Criminal Matters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15, signed, ordered and entered October 9, 2023 (electronic signatures October 9–13, 2023) by Judges Vara (Administrative Judge, CCL 15), Stowe, Saenz, Ximenez, Arevalos, Dominguez, Lira, Román, Saldaña, Peña, Huff, Speedlin Gonzalez and Key — TOPICs reg. doc 1665 (registered 10/30/2023 as "Standing Orders").

The indigent-defense fee schedule for misdemeanors with an offense date on or after May 1, 2023 (replacing 2023 SO 07): flat fees by disposition — plea and sentence $300, dismissal $300, dismissal on the day of trial $500, jury or bench trial $750, appeal to the Fourth Court of Appeals $750, replaced attorney $50, motion to revoke $150 ($250 contested with sworn testimony), incompetency disposition $350, Auxiliary Court attorney for the day $300 — with add-ons (additional cases $50, initial jail visit $100, bond hearings $100/$300, bond motions $100 or $150, suppression hearing outside trial $250, expunction after acquittal $150); an hourly option of $75 up to 8 hours for DWI and family-violence cases plus the $750 trial fee; a $100 board-certification bonus; vouchers submitted after disposition to the judge of the court of disposition, one flat-fee disposition per voucher, and none accepted after 180 days absent good cause.

Procedures for Attorney Fee Appeals in the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region, paragraphs (1)–(8), signed January 17, 2017 by Presiding Judge David Peeples (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.05(c)); posted on the region page https://www.txcourts.gov/4ajr/ (media/1436965).

The Fourth Region's presiding-judge procedures for court-appointed attorneys' fee appeals under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.05, applying to the district and county courts of the region's twenty-two counties: an appeal lies from a trial court's attorney-fee decision or from its failure to decide within the 60-day period of article 26.05(c); the appeal packet (the written documentation sent to the trial court, a copy of the court's decision with the written findings and reasons article 26.05 requires, and a motion or letter explaining why the decision should be modified) must be sent to both the Presiding Judge and the trial court within fourteen days after the attorney receives notice of the decision, by e-mail with PDF attachments or by hard copy to the region's office at the Bexar County Courthouse; the trial court may modify its findings or decision in writing within five days of receiving the packet, sending the modification to the Presiding Judge and the attorney; and the Presiding Judge "determine[s] the appropriate amount of payment" under article 26.05(c) and notifies the attorney and the trial court. Signed January 17, 2017 by Presiding Judge David Peeples; effective for decisions made on or after January 20, 2017.

First (1st) Court of Appeals, 2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation (TOPICs reg. doc. 1354)

2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 05/08/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.

Fourteenth (14th) Court of Appeals, 2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation (TOPICs reg. doc. 1355)

2. Transfers of Cases Between First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals from Multi-District Litigation, as registered in the statewide TOPICs local-rules registry (posted 05/08/2023). The operative requirements are quoted verbatim; the registered document is the controlling text.