The 501st Judicial District Court Rules of Practice (December 1, 2025; updated printing 12-11-25)

High confidence· verified August 23, 2026Local RulesFort Bend County, The 501st Judicial District Court Rules of Practice (December 1, 2025; updated printing 12-11-25) (fortbendcountytx.gov, posted document)

Summary

The 501st Judicial District Court Rules of Practice (December 1, 2025; updated printing 12-11-25) — Fort Bend County. The operative requirements are quoted verbatim from the governing document (registered/posted 2025-12-11); the document in custody is the controlling text.

Applies to

Texas > Fort Bend County > 501st District Court

Requirement

GENERAL POLICIES These Rules of Practice shall apply equally to attorneys and self-represented litigants. … Documents and pleadings shall be filed with the District Clerk. … Communication with the Court All communication with the Court shall be through the court coordinator via email at 501dc@fortbendcountytx.gov. … Opposing counsel and self-represented litigants shall be included in all communications with the court coordinator, save and except for requesting hearing dates. … Court Room Attire Appropriate professional attire is required for ALL court appearances, in person and on Zoom. … Electronic Devices All cell phones and/or electronic devices must be in silent mode or turned off in the courtroom. … Peace Officers A peace officer who is a party or who has any interest or personal connection to a case and is in possession of a weapon, shall turn over their weapon to the bailiff for holding until directed by the Court and it will be returned at the conclusion of the court appearance. i. … Vacation Letters Vacation letters shall be filed with the District Clerk per the Local District Court Rules. … A courtesy copy of your vacation letter shall be provided to all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants in your case. j. … Holidays/Court Not in Session The 501st Judicial District Court will not be in session on any official Fort Bend County holiday. … ALL cases that require a final trial must be scheduled through the court coordinator via email at 501dc@fortbendcountytx.gov and added to the docket to be heard. b. … Announcements of pass, conflicts, or late appearances shall be communicated to the court coordinator and all opposing counsel and self-represented litigants via email to 501dc@fortbendcountytx.gov prior to 9:00 a.m. … Mediation is required PRIOR to any Temporary Orders hearing if conservatorship, possession and access, or geographical restriction is contested, unless waived by the Court. … The mediator’s report and MSA must be filed. b. … Mediation is required PRIOR to any Temporary Orders hearing if the time estimate exceeds 1 hour, unless waived by the Court. … The mediator’s report and MSA must be filed. c. … Except for Applications for Protective Orders, Motions for Enforcement/Contempt actions, and No Answer Defaults, mediation is required PRIOR to trial, unless waived by the Court. … The mediator’s report and MSA must be filed. … Temporary Orders In any hearing for Temporary Orders in which child or spousal support is in dispute, the parties SHALL exchange by 12 noon on the business day before the hearing a Financial Information Statement, income tax returns for the previous two years, each party's two most recent payroll stubs, and Proposed Support Calculations. … For any hearing for Temporary Orders for child support, the Financial Information Statement SHALL contain sufficient information regarding each party’s available health and dental insurance, including but not limited to the cost for the children, so the Court may render a medical support order regarding health and dental insurance for the children. … For all hearings for Temporary Orders, the parties SHALL exchange by 12 noon on the business day before the hearing Proposed Requested Relief. … This rule shall constitute a discovery request and failure to comply may be grounds for sanctions. … THE ABOVE MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COURT DURING THE HEARING. b. … Code including, but not limited to, the party's income tax returns for the past two years and the party's two most recent payroll stubs, last statement furnished to the employee concerning the employee's rights and monetary interest in each retirement and savings plan, Proposed Child Support Calculation, Proposed Division of Property, and Proposed Requested Relief SHALL be exchanged no later than ten (10) days before commencement of final trial. …

Source of truth

Official source: Fort Bend County District Courts — fortbendcountytx.gov (county site tree)
Source health: Healthy · checked October 22, 2026
Effective date: —
Last verified: August 23, 2026benchpath-ajr11-p6-2026-08-23

Reviewer note: Operative mandatory-language provisions quoted verbatim from the posted document; the full document (sha256 49255da4439d…) is the controlling text. The updated printing on the court's rules page corrects typographical errors, changes the coordinator address to 501dc@fortbendcountytx.gov, and adds the provision deeming all termination-at-issue final trials complex; the prior printing is registered as TOPICs doc 2683 (posted 12/05/2025).

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