Loading…
The district courts' standing order, adopted under Family Code §§ 6.501–6.503, 105.001 and 105.009, that applies in every divorce and every SAPCR (including modifications and enforcements) filed in Denton County and binds the parties, their agents and anyone with notice on pain of contempt: no removing children from Texas to change residence, withdrawing them from school, hiding them, changing their abode, disparaging the other party (including on social media) or discussing the litigation before them, and no overnight dating partners while in possession of a child in an original divorce; no harassing communications; in a dissolution, the full preservation-of-property regime (no transfers, new debt, withdrawals, beneficiary changes, account closures, utility shutoffs, intercepting mail or communications, excluding a spouse from the residence, altering electronic data or metadata, deleting social-network content, or using the other party's passwords) with authorizations for ordinary business, attorney's fees and living expenses; records and insurance preserved; the petitioner must attach the order to the petition or the clerk declines to issue citation; effective on filing as a 14-day TRO, then a temporary injunction until final order; protective orders prevail; parties to complete a listed parent-education and stabilization program within 60 days.
Texas > Denton County > the district courts — every divorce and suit affecting the parent-child relationship (original, modification, enforcement); binding on the parties, their officers, agents, employees and attorneys and anyone acting in concert with notice.
[File stamp: FILED [handwritten time] O'CLOCK [_] M., FEB 27 2025, with the clerk's signature, DENTON COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK] DENTON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES THIS DENTON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES IS BINDING ON (1) THE PARTIES, (2) THE PARTIES' OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, AND ATTORNEYS, AND (3) ANY OTHER PERSON WHO ACTS IN CONCERT WITH THE PARTIES OR THEIR AGENTS AND WHO RECEIVES ACTUAL NOTICE OF THESE ORDERS, AND IS ENFORCEABLE BY CONTEMPT, INCLUDING A FINE OF UP TO $500, CONFINEMENT IN THE COUNTY JAIL FOR SIX MONTHS, OR BOTH SUCH A FINE AND CONFINEMENT IN JAIL FOR EACH VIOLATION, AND A MONEY JUDGMENT FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COURT COSTS. No party to this lawsuit has requested this order. Rather, this order is a standing order of the Denton County District Courts that applies in every divorce suit and every suit affecting the parent-child relationship ("SAPCR"), including a suit for modification or enforcement of a prior order, filed in Denton County, Texas. The Denton County District Courts have adopted this order pursuant to Texas Family Code §§6.501 -6.503, 105.001, and 105.009 because the parties and their children should be protected and their property preserved while the lawsuit is pending before the court. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: 1. NO DISRUPTION OF CHILDREN. All parties are ORDERED to refrain from doing the following acts concerning any children who are subjects of this cause: 1.1 Removing the children from the State of Texas for the purpose of changing the children's domicile or residence, acting directly or in concert with others, without the written agreement of all parties or an order of this Court; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not prohibit or restrict a party from so removing the children if an active prior court order gives that party the right to designate the children's primary residence outside the State of Texas or without regard to geographic location. 1.2 Disrupting or withdrawing the children from the school or day-care facility where the children are presently enrolled without the written agreement of all parties or an order of this Court; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not prohibit or restrict a party from so withdrawing the children from a school or day-care facility if that party is changing the children's domicile or residence within that party's rights pursuant to an active prior court order. 1.3 Hiding or secreting the children from any other party. 1.4 Changing the children's current place of abode without the written agreement of all parties or an order of this Court; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not prohibit or restrict a party from changing such place of abode if an active prior court order gives that party the right to designate the children's primary residence without geographic restriction, or if the new place of abode lies within the geographic limits established by that active prior court order. 1.5 Disturbing the peace of the children. 1.6 Making disparaging remarks in the presence of the children about another party or another party's family members, including but not limited to the child's grandparents, aunts, uncles, stepparents, or anyone with whom the party has a dating relationship. This includes, but is not limited to, making such disparaging remarks on a social media site or other internet site to which a child has, or may have, access. 1.7 Discussing with the children, or with any other person in the presence of the children, any divorce or SAPCR litigation related to the children or the other party. 1.8 If this is an original divorce action, allowing anyone with whom the party has a dating relationship to be in the same dwelling or on the same premises overnight while in possession of the child. Overnight is defined from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. 2. CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES DURING THE CASE. All parties are ORDERED to refrain from doing the following acts with the intent to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another party: 2.1 Using vulgar, profane, obscene, coarse, offensive, or indecent language to communicate with another party, whether in person, by telephone, or in writing, including by email, text message, or any other electronic communication. 2.2 Threatening another party in person, by telephone, or in writing, including by email, text message, or any other electronic communication, to take unlawful action against the party, a member of the party's family, including but not limited to anyone with whom the party has a dating relationship, or the party's property. 2.3 Placing or transmitting one or more telephone calls, emails, text messages, or other electronic communications to another party at an unreasonable hour, in an offensive or repetitious manner, anonymously, or without a legitimate purpose of communication. 3. PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND USE OF FUNDS DURING DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CASE. If this is a dissolution of marriage case, both parties to the marriage are ORDERED to refrain from the following conduct: 3.1 Destroying, removing, concealing, encumbering, transferring, or otherwise harming or reducing the value of the property of one or both of the parties, regardless of whether it is intellectual, personal, or real property and regardless of whether it is claimed as separate or community property. 3.2 Misrepresenting or refusing to disclose to the other party or to the Court, on proper request, the existence, amount, or location of any property, including electronically stored or recorded information, of one or both of the parties, regardless of whether it is intellectual, personal, or real property and regardless of whether it is claimed as separate or community property. 3.3 Damaging, destroying or tampering with the tangible or intellectual property of one or both of the parties, including any document or electronically stored or recorded information that represents or embodies anything of value, regardless of whether it is intellectual, personal, or real property and regardless of whether it is claimed as separate or community property. 3.4 Selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, encumbering, or in any other manner alienating any of the property of either party, regardless of whether it is intellectual, personal, or real property and regardless of whether it is claimed as separate or community property, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 3.5 Incurring any indebtedness, including cash advances from a credit card or line of credit, other than legal expense in connection with this suit, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 3.6 Making withdrawals from any account in any financial institution for any purpose, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 3.7 Spending any sum of cash in either party's possession or subject to either party's control for any purpose, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 3.8 Changing a beneficiary designation on, or withdrawing or borrowing in any manner for any purpose from, any retirement, profit-sharing, pension, death, or other employee benefit plan or employee savings plan or from any individual retirement account or Keogh account, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 3.9 Signing or endorsing the other party's name on any negotiable instrument, check, or draft, such as tax refunds, insurance payments, and dividends, or attempting to negotiate any negotiable instrument payable to the other party without the personal signature of the other party. This includes affixing the other party's digital signature to any electronic document. 3.10 Taking any action to terminate, close, restrict, or limit lines of credit, credit cards, charge cards, or financial accounts in the name of or subject to the control of the other party, whether owned individually or jointly, except by subsequent court order. 3.11 Entering, operating, or exercising control over the motor vehicle in the possession of the other party. 3.12 Discontinuing or altering the withholding for federal income taxes on wages or salary while this suit is pending. 3.13 Terminating or in any manner affecting the service of water, electricity, gas, telephone, television, internet, or other contractual services, such as security, pest control, landscaping, or yard maintenance at the other party's residence or in any manner attempting to withdraw or transfer any deposits for service in connection with such services. 3.14 Unlawfully intercepting or recording the other party's electronic communications. 3.15 Opening or diverting mail, email, or any other electronic communication addressed to the other party. 3.16 Excluding a spouse from the use and enjoyment of the marital residence in which the spouse had been residing within the thirty (30) day period prior to the date the original petition for divorce was filed. 3.17 Communicating with the other party's employer or a person with whom the other party has a business relationship without a legitimate purpose. 3.18 Entering any safe deposit box in the name of or subject to the control of a party, whether owned individually or jointly, except by subsequent court order. 3.19 Destroying, disposing of, or altering any e-mail, text message, video message, chat message, electronic message, or other electronic data or electronically stored information relevant to the subject matter of the divorce suit, regardless of whether the information is stored on a hard drive, in a removable storage device, in cloud storage, or in another electronic storage medium. 3.20 Modifying, changing, or altering the native format or metadata of any electronic data or electronically stored information relevant to the subject matter of the suit for dissolution of marriage, regardless of whether the information is stored on a hard drive, in a removable storage device, in cloud storage, or in another electronic storage medium. This prohibition shall likewise apply to any suit affecting the parent-child relationship with regard to any electronic data or electronically stored information relevant to the subject matter of the suit affecting the parent-child relationship. 3.21 Deleting any data or content from any social network profile used or created by either party or a child of the parties. 3.22 Using any password or personal identification number to gain access to the other party's email account(s), bank account(s), social media account(s), or any other electronic account. 4. PERSONAL AND BUSINESS RECORDS IN DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CASE. If this is a dissolution of marriage case, both parties to the marriage are ORDERED to refrain from doing the following acts: 4.1 Concealing, destroying, disposing of, or altering any of the parties' family records, property records, financial records, business records or any records of income, debts, or other obligations, including, but not limited to, a canceled check, deposit slip, other records from a financial institution, records of credit purchases or cash advances, tax returns, and financial statements. 4.2 Falsifying any writing or record relating to the property of either party. 4.3 "Records" includes e-mail or other digital or electronic data, whether stored on a computer hard drive, diskette or other electronic storage device or cloud storage location. 5. INSURANCE IN DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CASE. If this is a dissolution of marriage case, both parties to the marriage are ORDERED to refrain from doing the following acts, except by written agreement signed by each party permitting such acts: 5.1 Withdrawing or borrowing in any manner all or any part of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies on the life of either party, except as specifically authorized by this order or a subsequent order of this Court. 5.2 Changing or in any manner altering the beneficiary designation on any life insurance on the life of either party or the parties' children. This Section 5.2 shall also apply to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. 5.3 Canceling, altering, or in any manner affecting any casualty, automobile, or health insurance policies insuring the parties' property or persons including the parties' minor children. This Section 5.3 shall also apply to a suit affecting the parent-child relationship. 6. SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATIONS IN DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CASE. If this is a dissolution of marriage case, both parties to the marriage are specifically authorized to do the following: 6.1 To engage in acts reasonably and necessary to the conduct of that party's usual business and occupation. 6.2 To make expenditures and incur indebtedness for reasonable attorney's fees and expenses in connection with this suit. 6.3 To make expenditures and incur indebtedness for reasonable and necessary living expenses commensurate with such expenditures and indebtedness incurred for the past six months. 6.4 To make withdrawals from accounts in financial institutions only for the purposes authorized by this order. 7. SERVICE AND APPLICATION OF THIS ORDER. 7.1 The Petitioner shall attach a copy of this order to the original petition and to each copy of the petition. At the time an original petition is filed by non-electronic means, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented. At the time an original petition is filed electronically, if the Petitioner has failed to attach a copy of this order to the petition and any copy of the petition, the Clerk shall decline to issue citation until the petition is resubmitted with a copy of this order attached in conformity with this section. Additionally, the Court may decline to grant temporary ex parte relief, decline to set a hearing in the case, or strike the petition without further notice if the Petitioner fails to resubmit the petition with a copy of this order attached in conformity with this section. 7.2 This order is effective upon the filing of the original petition and shall remain in full force and effect as a temporary restraining order for fourteen days after the date of service of the original petition. The requirement of a bond is waived. If no party contests this order within fourteen days after the date of service of the original petition, this order shall continue in full force and effect as a temporary injunction until further order of this court. This entire order will terminate and will no longer be effective only upon entry of a final order or dismissal of the case. 7.3 In addition to any other remedies available for the enforcement of this order, at the Court's discretion, the Court may award reasonable and necessary attorney fees and court costs against a party found to have violated a provision of this order. 8. EFFECT OF OTHER COURT ORDERS. If any part of this order is different from any part of a protective order that has already been entered or is later entered, the protective order provisions prevail. Any part of this order not changed by some later order remains in full force and effect until the court signs a final decree. 9. PARTIES ENCOURAGED TO MEDIATE/COLLABORATE. The parties are encouraged to settle their disputes amicably without court intervention. The parties are encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or the collaborative law process, to resolve the conflicts that may arise in this lawsuit. 10. PARENT EDUCATION AND STABILIZATION. If this is a suit affecting or seeking modification of the parent-child relationship, all parties are ORDERED to attend one of the following parent education and stabilization programs within sixty (60) days of the date of filing or service of the suit, as applicable: 10.1 Children in the Middle (www.childreninthemiddle.com or 800-239-3971). 10.2 Divorce Sanity Co-Parenting (www.ccdcounseling.com/divorce-sanity or 800-897-7068). 10.3 Online Parenting Program (OnlineParentingPrograms.com). Waiver of the requirement that both parents shall complete a parent education and stabilization program may only be granted by order of the court. Completion of programs not listed above will not be accepted without prior approval by the court for good cause shown. Proof of completion of the program must be filed with the court upon meeting this requirement. Failure to provide such proof in a timely manner may result in the cancellation of any scheduled hearing or trial and denial of requested relief at the Court's discretion. THIS DENTON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES IS EFFECTIVE IN EVERY DIVORCE SUIT AND EVERY SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING A SUIT FOR MODIFICATION OR ENFORCEMENT OF A PRIOR ORDER, FILED ON OR AFTER February 27, 2025 [handwritten]. [signature] JUDGE SHERRY SHIPMAN, 16th District Court [signature] JUDGE STEVE BURGESS, 158th District Court [signature] JUDGE BRODY SHANKLIN, 211th District Court [signature] JUDGE BRUCE MCFARLING, 362nd District Court [signature] JUDGE BRENT HILL, 367th District Court [signature] JUDGE KAREN ALEXANDER, 393rd District Court [signature] JUDGE JIM JOHNSON, 431st District Court [signature] JUDGE TIFFANY HAERTLING, 442nd District Court [signature] JUDGE LEE ANN BREADING, 462nd District Court [signature] JUDGE DERBHA JONES, 467th District Court [signature] JUDGE MICHAEL DICKENS, 477th District Court [signature] JUDGE CRYSTAL LEVONIUS, 481st District Court [Running footer: Denton County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties — Page 1 of 4 / Page 2 of 4 / Page 3 of 4 / Page 4 of 4]
[File stamp: FILED [handwritten time] O'CLOCK [_] M., FEB 27 2025, with the clerk's signature, DENTON COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK] DENTON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES THIS DENTON COUNTY STANDING ORDER REGARDING CHILDREN, PROPERTY AND CONDUCT OF THE PARTIES IS BINDING ON (1) THE PARTIES, (2) THE PARTIES' OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, AND ATTORNEYS
Reviewer note: Text-layer registration (4 pp, 14,780 chars) read in full 2026-09-06; the operative prohibitions, authorizations, service/effect and parent-education provisions quoted verbatim, the remaining property/records/insurance clauses summarized. Signed by the district judges (Dickens, Alexander and the 442nd/481st benches legible). Composed benchpath-ajr8-denton. County-site receipt(s) in custody 2026-09-06: https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4147/Denton-County-Standing-Orders-PDF (February 15, 2022 (superseded) edition); https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6746/Denton-County-Standing-Order-PDF (December 30, 2022 (superseded) edition); https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/710/Standing-Order-Regarding-Children-Property-and-Conduct-of-Parties-PDF (identical edition); https://www.dentoncounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/958/District-Court-Standing-Order-Regarding-Children-Property-and-Conduct-of-Parties-PDF (identical edition). [TRANSCRIBED BY EYE 2026-09-21 (corpus-0920 P12): every page of the registered file (sha256 160a3181e803..., 4 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.