505th District Court Policy Regarding Court Appointments (revised August 2026)

High confidence· verified August 23, 2026Local RulesFort Bend County, 505th District Court Policy Regarding Court Appointments (revised August 2026) (TOPICs reg. doc. 3090)

Summary

505th District Court Policy Regarding Court Appointments (revised August 2026) — Fort Bend County. The operative requirements are quoted verbatim from the governing document (registered/posted 08/14/2026); the document in custody is the controlling text.

Applies to

Texas > Fort Bend County > 505th District Court

Requirement

General Requirements Applicants must: • Be licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas • Complete the Court's Appointment Application • Submit all required supporting documentation, including a current State Bar of Texas MCLE transcript • Meet all applicable statutory qualifications for the appointment sought • Have successfully completed Trauma-Informed Care Training (for CPS appointments) • Maintain all required continuing legal education and training • Certify that they will comply with all applicable statutory duties and promptly notify the Court of any State Bar disciplinary sanctions • Renew the application annually Attorney Ad Litem Qualifications • Devote at least 50% of the practice to family law • Complete at least 8 hours of Family Law CLE and 3 hours of Ethics CLE during the preceding reporting year • Successfully complete an approved Attorney/Amicus Ad Litem training program Guardian Ad Litem Qualifications • Successfully complete an approved Guardian/Amicus Ad Litem training program Mediator Qualifications • Meet the requirements of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §154.052 505th District Court Policy Regarding Court Appointments Revised 08/2026 • Complete at least 3 hours of Alternative Dispute Resolution CLE during the preceding reporting year • For CPS appointments, complete 3 hours of CLE related to Texas Family Code Chapter 262 or possess prior qualifying CPS mediation training and experience Available Appointment Categories • Attorney Ad Litem – Parent (CPS) • Attorney Ad Litem – Child (CPS) • Attorney Ad Litem – Respondent Served by Publication • Defense Attorney – Contempt Proceedings • Defense Attorney – Protective Order Proceedings • Amicus Attorney – Custody Matters • Amicus Attorney – Adoption/Termination Matters • Mediator – Non-CPS Cases • Mediator – CPS Cases • Guardian Ad Litem • CPS Appeals (see below) CPS Appeals The applicant must demonstrate sufficient appellate experience to competently represent clients in accelerated CPS appeals. … A writing sample prepared within the preceding three (3) years, consisting of an appellate brief, petition, motion, or other substantive legal writing authored primarily by the applicant is required. … The writing sample shall demonstrate the applicant's legal research, analysis, and writing abilities. … (Confidential information shall be redacted as required by law.) Compensation Court-appointed attorneys shall be compensated at the rate of $200.00 per hour for approved services reasonably and necessarily performed in connection with the appointment. … Any travel outside the counties contiguous to Fort Bend County for which reimbursement will be sought must receive prior Court approval. … Billing and Payment Procedures • Compensation shall be requested at the approved hourly rate. • Vouchers for interim payments shall be submitted monthly while the appointment remains pending. • Vouchers for final payment must be submitted within thirty (30) days after the final hearing or other conclusion of the appointment. • All vouchers must include sufficient detail to permit the Court to determine the reasonableness and necessity of the services performed. • Failure to timely submit a voucher may result in delayed payment or denial of compensation.

Source of truth

Official source: TOPICs — Texas local rules registry (topics.txcourts.gov)
Source health: Healthy · checked October 24, 2026
Effective date: —
Last verified: August 23, 2026benchpath-ajr11-p6-2026-08-23

Reviewer note: Operative mandatory-language provisions quoted verbatim from the registered document; the full document (sha256 814794fa4b07…) is the controlling text.

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