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The Denton County Probate Courts' standing administrative order on annual reports of guardians of the person (signed May 28, 2026; file-marked with the County Clerk June 3, 2026; effective immediately until countermanded or superseded by statute), applying to every guardianship in which a guardian of the person files an annual report: the County Clerk collects at least $14 in fees when the report is filed — $10 for the annual report of the guardian of the person (Local Gov't Code § 118.052(2)(a)(vi)), $2 signature fee for the order approving the report (§ 118.101(11)) and $2 for issuance of one letter of guardianship (§ 118.101(2)) — plus $6 for a requested certified copy of the approval order (§ 118.052(3)(B)); the courts' annual report forms include a separate Request for New Letters (Exhibit A, attached); on receipt of a signed order approving the annual report the clerk immediately issues letters of guardianship to the guardian of the person; the clerk posts the order among the probate courts' administrative orders and at the courthouse. The attached form sheet notes that letters of guardianship expire a year and four months from the anniversary date and must be updated annually, and that payment is by cash, credit card, money order or cashier's check (no personal checks).
Texas > Denton County > Probate Courts Nos. 1 and 2 — guardians of the person filing annual reports (with or without counsel) and the County Clerk.
STANDING ORDER SO-[handwritten: 2026-00002] [File stamp: FILE FOR RECORD, DENTON COUNTY CLERK, JUN 0 3 2026, JULI LUKE, [initials] DEPUTY] STANDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER § IN THE STATUTORY REGARDING ANNUAL REPORTS OF § PROBATE COURTS OF GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON § DENTON COUNTY ANNUAL REPORTS OF GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON DENTON COUNTY PROBATE COURTS Scope: All cases filed in the Denton County Probate Courts where a guardian of the person has been appointed and an annual report is filed. Effective Date: This Order shall be effective immediately and shall continue until countermanded by a successive standing order of the Denton County Probate Courts or until superseded by statute. In every active guardianship case where an annual report of the guardian of the person is filed, the Denton County Clerk shall collect at least $14.00 in fees at the time the annual report is filed. Said filing fees shall be applied pursuant to Local Government Code Chapter 118 as follows: 118.052(2)(a)(vi) ($10.00) annual report of guardian of person) 118.101(11) ($2.00) signature fee for order approving annual report) 118.101(2) ($2.00) issuance of 1 letter of guardianship). If a request is submitted by the guardian for a certified copy of the Order Approving Annual Report the Clerk shall collect an additional $6.00 fee pursuant to Sec. 118.052(3)(B). The Courts’ Annual Report forms will include a separate Request for New Letters. Attached Exhibit A. Upon receipt of a signed order approving the annual report, the Denton County Clerk shall immediately issue letters of guardianship to the guardian of the person. The Denton County Clerk is directed to post this order in the Probate Courts’ administrative orders, and to ensure that a file-marked copy is posted as a Public Notice at the County Courthouse. SIGNED this 28th day of May, 2026. [signature] JUDGE DAVID W. JAHN, Probate Court No. 1 [signature] JUDGE CHRISTOPHER J. EVERETT, Probate Court No. 2 [Seal of the Probate Court, Denton County, Texas] [Exhibit A: the Courts’ annual report forms, as attached in the file.] CAUSE NO.: ______________ IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP § IN THE PROBATE COURT OF THE PERSON OF § OF ______________ § DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS Please answer each question as completely as possible. All questions must be answered, use n/a if question does not apply. Incomplete reports will delay the issuance of Letters of Guardianship. ANNUAL REPORT OF GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON Now comes ______________, Guardian of ______________, Ward (hereinafter referred to as “Protected Person”) in the above entitled and numbered cause, and files this report covering the time period of ______________through ______________ concerning the Protected Person’s physical well-being, location, and condition pursuant to Section 1163.101 of the Texas Estates Code. 1. Protected Person’s name: ______________ 2. Protected Person’s date of birth and age: ______________ 3. Protected Person’s address: ______________ 4. Protected Person’s phone number: ______________ 5. Guardian's name: ______________ 6. Guardian’s address: ______________ 7. Guardian’s phone number: ______________ 8. Guardian’s email address: ______________ 9. Guardian’s relationship to Protected Person: ______________ 10. Check the type of residence in which the Protected Person lives: ☐ Guardian’s home ☐ Protected Person’s own home ☐ Denton State Supported Living Center ☐ Nursing home (Name of facility): ______________ ☐ Group home (Company Operated by): ______________ ☐ Other (Adult foster-care, etc.) ______________ 11. How long has the Protected Person resided at his/her current residence? ______________ 12. Has the Protected Person’s residence changed in the last twelve months? ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, please provide the date of change and the reason for the change: ______________ 13. As the Guardian do you believe the Protected Person is content with his/her living arrangements? ☐ Yes ☐ No If no, please explain: ______________ 14. As the Guardian do you believe the Protected Person has any unmet needs? ☐ No ☐ Yes If yes, please explain: ______________ 15. As the Guardian I rate the Protected Person’s living conditions as: ☐ Excellent ☐ Average ☐ Below Average If below average, please explain: ______________ As the Guardian I have taken the following steps to improve the living conditions: ______________ 16. As the Guardian I rate the Protected Person’s day to day care as: ☐ Excellent ☐ Average ☐ Below Average If below average, please explain: ______________ As the Guardian, I have taken the following steps to improve the day to day care: ______________ 17. As the Guardian, I have taken the following actions to encourage the development of the Protected Person’s maximum self-reliance and independence: ______________ 18. Does the Protected Person receive regular medical care? ☐No ☐ Yes 19. The Protected Person’s primary physician is: ______________ 20. Check the appropriate box if the Protected Person has been seen by any of the following health care providers within the last year: ☐ Psychiatrist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Psychologist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Dentist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Other: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ 21. During the past year the Protected Person’s physical health has: ☐ remained the same ☐ improved ☐ deteriorated If improved or deteriorated, please explain: ______________ 22. During the past year the Protected Person’s mental health has: ☐ remained the same ☐ improved ☐ deteriorated If improved or deteriorated, please explain: ______________ 23. Does the Protected Person have an estate? (SSI benefits are not an estate)? ☐ No ☐ Yes If yes, are you the Guardian of the Protected Person’s estate? ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, have you filed your Annual Account? ☐ Yes ☐ No 24. Do you receive money for acting as the Protected Person’s Guardian? ☐ Yes ☐ NO Source of funds: ______________ 25. If you are a private professional guardian, a guardianship program, or the Department of Aging and Disability Services, have you been the subject of an investigation conducted by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission during the past reporting year? ☐ Yes ☐ No 26. Do you or the Protected Person receive any funds for the Protected Person’s care? Please identify all that apply. SSI: Amount: ________ SS Survivor Benefits: Amount: ________ SSDI: Amount: ________ Trust Account: Amount: ________ VA: Amount: ________ Other: Amount: ________ 27. Are you the representative payee and/or the person that handles the Protected Person’s funds? ☐ Yes ☐ No If No, please state who the rep. payee is: ______________ 28. If you handle funds for the Protected Person’s care, in what kind of account are the funds maintained? Separate designated account: ☐ Yes ☐ No Joint account with Protected Person: ☐ Yes ☐ No Other: Please identify: ______________ 29. When the Guardianship was granted I posted a: ☐ personal surety bond ☐ cash bond ☐ corporate bond If a corporate bond was posted have you paid the premium for the next reporting period? ☐ Yes ☐ No 30. As the Guardian I believe my Guardianship powers should: ☐ remain the same ☐ be increased ☐ be decreased If increased or decreased is selected please explain: ______________ 31. The Denton County Probate Court has a standing requirement for Guardians to have face-to-face visits in the Protected Person’s residence a minimum of four times per year spread throughout the year. As the Guardian have you met this requirement? ☐ Yes ☐ No If no, please explain why you have not visited: ______________ ☐ Yes, ☐ I reside with the Protected Person or I visit ☐ weekly ☐ every other week ☐ monthly Please list the dates of visits if different from the choices above: ______________ 32. During the past year the Protected Person has participated in the following activities: ☐ Recreational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Educational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Social: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Occupational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Limited ability to participate but enjoys: (list activities) ______________ 33. Does the Protected Person receive any community supports and services and/or resources (i.e. Denton County MHMR Waiver Programs, STAR+ Waiver, Private/ Insurance Pay)? ☐ Yes ☐ No: If yes, please provide a case manager name and contact number: ______________ The Protected Person has received or is receiving the following supports and services (Check and complete each that apply. Include provider name and location where services are provided) ☐ Local Mental health authority or local intellectual and development disability authority ______________ ☐ Services from a Medicaid program, including under a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver program authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n) ______________ ☐ Informal supports and services ______________ ☐ Other ______________ 34. During the past year the protected person stopped receiving or attempted to receive the following supports and services (provide reason the support or services listed was not received or was discontinued) ______________ 35. As Guardian, it is my opinion that the Protected Person DOES HAVE capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services for (check one) • Complete restoration of the Protected person’s capacity ☐ YES ☐ NO or • Modification of the guardianship ☐ YES ☐ NO If No, state why the protected person does not have capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services for a complete restoration of their capacity or modification of the guardianship: ______________ 36. Texas Estates Code §1151.351 requires Guardians each year on annual renewal of the Guardianship to explain the rights delineated in the “Ward’s Bill of Rights” in the Protected Person’s native language, or preferred mode of communication, and in a manner accessible to the Protected Person. In addition to explaining those rights, the Court requires Guardians each year to provide a copy of the Bill of Rights to the Protected Person. Have you, as Guardian, explained the rights delineated in the Bill of Rights and provided the Protected Person a copy of the Bill of Rights? ☐ Yes ☐ No 37. In 2017, the Texas Legislature enacted a new law requiring all guardianships to be registered with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). Effective June 1, 2018, each guardianship in Texas must be registered. Have you registered your guardianship? a. Yes ☐ b. No ☐ Explain why: ______________ 38. Please use this space to share any other information that you would like the Court to know about the Protected Person and/or your role as Guardian, including any new medical issues or concerns, and whether you the Guardian have filed an Application for Emergency Detention of the Protected Person and if applicable, the number of times and dates of the applications): ______________ UNSWORN DECLARATION I, ______________, Guardian of the Person for ______________ in Denton County, Texas declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on the____ day of __________, 20____. (date) (month) ______________ Signature of Declarant/Guardian ______________ Printed Name of Declarant/Guardian Notarization is NOT required. [Footer on each form page: Revised January 2024 / Page N of 6 / Once completed please mail back to Attn: Probate Court 3900 Morse St Suite 100 Denton, Texas 76208] IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP OF ______________ AN INCAPACITATED PERSON Re: Cause# ______________ REQUEST FOR NEW LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP ____ I HAVE AN AFFIDAVIT OF INABILITY TO PAY ON FILE WITH THE COURT AND NO FEES ARE REQUIRED - - - - - - - - OR - - - - - - - - ____ I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FILING FEES FOR THE ANNUAL RENEWAL Dated this _____day of ______________, 202__. ______________ Guardian FEES ANNUAL REPORT $12.00 LETTER OF GUARDIANSHIP $2.00 X quantity CERTIFIED COPY OF ORDER APPROVING ANNUAL REPORT (Optional if desired) $6.00 X quantity Total Amount Due $ ________ Payment may be made with cash, credit card, or money order/cashier's check payable to the “Denton County Clerk”; personal checks are not accepted. For questions concerning filing fees, contact the Denton County Probate Clerks at (940) 349-2036. ** Guardian: New Letters of Guardianship will be mailed to you once the Judge has signed an Order Approving the Annual Report. Note: Letters of Guardianship expire a year and four months from the anniversary date of your guardianship and must be updated annually. CAUSE NO.: ______________ IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP § IN THE PROBATE COURT OF THE PERSON OF § OF ______________ § DENTON COUNTY, TEXAS Please answer each question as completely as possible. All questions must be answered, use n/a if question does not apply. Incomplete reports will delay the issuance of Letters of Guardianship. ANNUAL REPORT OF CO-GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON Now come ______________ and ______________, Co-Guardians of ______________, Ward (hereinafter referred to as “Protected Person”) in the above entitled and numbered cause, and files this report covering the time period of ______________, 20____ through ______________, 20____ concerning the Protected Person’s physical well-being, location, and condition pursuant to Section 1163.101 of the Texas Estates Code. 1. Protected Person’s name: ______________ 2. Protected Person’s date of birth and age: ______________ 3. Protected Person’s address: ______________ 4. Protected Person’s phone number: ______________ 5. Co-Guardians’ name: ______________ 6. Co-Guardians’ address: ______________ (If Co-Guardians reside separately, provide both addresses.) ______________ 7. Co-Guardians’ phone number(s): ______________ 8. Co-Guardians’ email address(es): ______________ 9. Co-Guardians’ relationship to Protected Person: ______________ 10. Check the type of residence in which the Protected Person lives: ☐ Guardian’s home (If Co-Guardians reside separately, identify which Co-Guardian is the custodial Co-Guardian.) ______________ ☐ Protected Person’s own home ☐ Denton State Supported Living Center ☐ Nursing home (Name of facility): ______________ ☐ Group home (Company Name): ______________ ☐ Other (adult foster-care, etc.): ______________ 11. How long has the Protected Person resided at his/her current residence? ______________ 12. Has the Protected Person’s residence changed in the last twelve months? ☐ No ☐ Yes If yes, please provide the date of change and the reason for the change: ______________ 13. As the Co-Guardians do you believe the Protected Person is content with his/her living arrangements? ☐ Yes ☐ No If no, please provide a brief explanation: ______________ 14. As the Co-Guardians do you believe the Protected Person has any unmet needs? ☐ No ☐ Yes If yes, please provide brief explanation: ______________ 15. As the Co-Guardians we rate the Protected Person’s living conditions as: ☐ Excellent ☐ Average ☐ Below Average If below average, please explain: ______________ As the Co-Guardians we have taken the following steps to improve the living conditions: ______________ 16. As the Co-Guardians we rate the Protected Person’s day to day care as: ☐ Excellent ☐ Average ☐ Below Average If below average, please explain: ______________ As the Co-Guardians I have taken the following steps to improve the day to day care: ______________ 17. As guardians, we have taken the following actions to encourage the development of the Protected Person’s maximum self-reliance and independence: ______________ 18. Does the Protected Person receive regular medical care? ☐No ☐ Yes 19. The Protected Person’s primary physician is: ______________ 20. Check the appropriate box if the Protected Person has been seen by any of the following health care providers within the last year: ☐ Psychiatrist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Psychologist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Dentist: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ ☐ Other: Name ______________ Treated for: ______________ 21. During the past year the Protected Person’s physical health has: ☐ remained the same ☐ improved ☐ deteriorated If improved or deteriorated, please explain: ______________ 22. During the past year the Protected Person’s mental health has: ☐ remained the same ☐ improved ☐ deteriorated If improved or deteriorated, please explain: ______________ 23. Does the Protected Person have an estate? (SSI benefits are not an estate) ☐No ☐Yes If yes, are you the Co-Guardians of the Protected Person’s estate? ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, have you filed your Annual Account? ☐ Yes ☐ No 24. Do you receive money for acting as the Protected Person’s Co-Guardians? ☐ Yes ☐ No 25. If you are a private professional guardian, a guardianship program, or the Department of Aging and Disability Services, have you been the subject of an investigation conducted by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission during the past reporting year? ☐ Yes ☐ No 26. Do you or the Protected Person receive any funds for the Protected Person’s care? Please identify all that apply. SSI: Amount: ________ SS Survivor Benefits: Amount: ________ SSDI: Amount: ________ Trust Account: Amount: ________ VA: Amount: ________ Other: Amount: ________ 27. Are you the representative payee and/or the person that handles the Protected Person’s funds? ☐ Yes ☐ No If No, please state who the rep. payee is: ______________ 28. If you handle funds for the Protected Person’s care, in what kind of account are the funds maintained? Separate designated account: ☐ Yes ☐ No Joint account with Protected Person: ☐ Yes ☐ No Other: Please identify: ______________ 29. When the Guardianship was granted, we as the Co-Guardians posted a: ☐ personal surety bond ☐ cash bond ☐ corporate bond If a corporate bond was posted have you paid the premium for the next reporting period? ☐ Yes ☐ No 30. As the Co-Guardians we believe our Guardianship powers should: ☐ remain the same ☐ be increased ☐ be decreased If increased or decreased is selected please explain: ______________ 31. The Denton County Probate Court has a standing requirement for all Guardians to have face-to-face visits at the Protected Person’s residence a minimum of four times per year spread throughout the year. As the Co-Guardians have you met this requirement? (If the Co-Guardians reside separately, identify how often each Co-Guardian visits the Protected Person.) ☐ Yes ☐ No: Please explain why you have not visited: ______________ We ☐ reside with the Protected Person; or we visit ☐ weekly ☐ every other week ☐ monthly Please list the dates of visits if different from the choices above. ______________ 32. During the past year the Protected Person has participated in the following activities: ☐ Recreational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Educational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Social: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Occupational: (list activities) ______________ ☐ Limited ability to participate but enjoys: (list activities) ______________ 33. Does the Protected Person receive any supports and services and/or resources (i.e. Denton County MHMR Waiver Programs, STAR+ Waiver, Private/Insurance Pay)? ☐ Yes ☐ No: If yes, please provide a case manager name and contact number: applicable: The Protected Person has received or is receiving the following supports and services (Check and complete each that apply. Include provider name and location where services are provided) ☐ Local Mental health authority or local intellectual and development disability authority ______________ ☐ Services from a Medicaid program, including under a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver program authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n) ______________ ☐ Informal supports and services ______________ ☐ Other ______________ 34. During the past year the protected person stopped receiving or attempted to receive the following supports and services (provide reason the support or services listed was not received or was discontinued) ______________ 35. As Co-Guardians, it is our opinion that the Protected Person DOES HAVE capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services for (check one) • Complete restoration of the Protected person’s capacity ☐ YES ☐ NO or • Modification of the guardianship ☐ YES ☐ NO If No, state why the protected person does not have capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services for a complete restoration of their capacity or modification of the guardianship: ______________ 36. Texas Estates Code §1151.351 requires Guardians each year on annual renewal of the Guardianship to explain the rights delineated in the “Ward’s Bill of Rights” in the Protected Person’s native language, or preferred mode of communication, and in a manner accessible to the Protected Person. In addition to explaining those rights, the Court requires Guardians each year to provide a copy of the Bill of Rights to the Protected Person. Have you, as Co-Guardians, explained the rights delineated in the Bill of Rights and provided the Protected Person a copy of the Bill of Rights? ☐ Yes ☐ No 37. In 2017, the Texas Legislature enacted a new law requiring all guardianships to be registered with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC). Effective June 1, 2018, each guardianship in Texas must be registered. Have you registered your guardianship? a. Yes ☐ b. No ☐ Explain why: ______________ 38. Please use this space to share any other information that you would like the Court to know about the Protected Person and/or your role as Co-Guardians, including any new medical issues or concerns, and whether you the Co-Guardians have filed an Application for Emergency Detention of the Protected Person, and if applicable, the number of times and dates of the applications): ______________ UNSWORN DECLARATION We, ______________ and ______________, Co-Guardians of the Person for ______________ in Denton County, Texas declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on the____ day of __________, 20____. (date) (month) ______________ Signature of Declarant/Guardian ______________ Signature of Declarant/Co-Guardian ______________ Printed Name of Declarant/Guardian ______________ Printed Name of Declarant/Co-Guardian Notarization is NOT required. [Footer on each form page: Revised January 2024 / Page N of 6 / Once completed please mail back to Attn: Probate Court 3900 Morse St. Suite 100 Denton, Texas 76208] IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP OF ______________ AN INCAPACITATED PERSON Re: Cause# ______________ REQUEST FOR NEW LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP ____ I HAVE AN AFFIDAVIT OF INABILITY TO PAY ON FILE WITH THE COURT AND NO FEES ARE REQUIRED - - - - - - - - OR - - - - - - - - ____ I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FILING FEES FOR THE ANNUAL RENEWAL Dated this _____day of ______________, 202__. ______________ Guardian FEES ANNUAL REPORT $12.00 LETTER OF GUARDIANSHIP $2.00 X quantity CERTIFIED COPY OF ORDER APPROVING ANNUAL REPORT (Optional if desired) $6.00 X quantity Total Amount Due $ ________ Payment may be made with cash, credit card, or money order/cashier's check payable to the “Denton County Clerk”; personal checks are not accepted. For questions concerning filing fees, contact the Denton County Probate Clerks at (940) 349-2036. ** Guardian: New Letters of Guardianship will be mailed to you once the Judge has signed an Order Approving the Annual Report. Note: Letters of Guardianship expire a year and four months from the anniversary date of your guardianship and must be updated annually.
STANDING ORDER SO-[handwritten: 2026-00002] [File stamp: FILE FOR RECORD, DENTON COUNTY CLERK, JUN 0 3 2026, JULI LUKE, [initials] DEPUTY] STANDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER § IN THE STATUTORY REGARDING ANNUAL REPORTS OF § PROBATE COURTS OF GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON § DENTON COUNTY ANNUAL REPORTS OF GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON DENTON COUNTY PROBATE COURTS Scope: All cases filed in the Denton County Probate C
Reviewer note: Own-site document (text layer, 19,487 chars: the 1-page order plus the attached annual-report forms in English and Spanish) read 2026-09-06 (order quoted verbatim; forms not composed); the standing-order number on the file stamp is OCR-damaged; the signature block is not legible in the text layer, so the order is attributed to the Denton County Probate Courts jointly (posted on both courts' pages) as a county-level probate rule (court-less). Composed benchpath-ajr8-denton (own-site lane). [TRANSCRIBED BY EYE 2026-09-21 (corpus-0920 P12): every page of the registered file (sha256 fbd9977530e4..., 15 page(s), digital layer that failed the machine checks; text taken from the layer and corrected word by word from the page) read against the rendered file; verbatim, source typos kept, stamps/signatures bracketed; the earlier abstract replaced by the full instrument; confidence high. benchpath-tx-corpus0920-p12-2026-09-21]
Standing order of the 109th Judicial District Court for every pending or later-filed case in Andrews, Winkler and Crane Counties: any attorney or self-represented litigant who uses any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in a case must, before using AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the court's certification form stating that all language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative AI were verified as accurate by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply. Effective immediately; in effect until rescinded or replaced.
Standing order of the 109th Judicial District Court for every pending or later-filed case in Andrews, Winkler and Crane Counties: any attorney or self-represented litigant who uses any form of artificial intelligence for legal research or drafting in a case must, before using AI-generated information in a court submission or proceeding, sign and submit the court's certification form stating that all language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments and legal analysis created or contributed to by generative AI were verified as accurate by a human through traditional (non-AI) legal sources, and acknowledging responsibility and potential sanctions for their or their co-counsel's failure to comply. Effective immediately; in effect until rescinded or replaced.