Williamson County District Courts Filing Rules

An applicant convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for an offense other than a Class C traffic offense must attach copies of all final or deferring orders and judgments.

A Soldiers and Sailors Affidavit must be on file.

The child name-change affidavit must be filed with the District Clerk's office and notarized by both parties.

The clerk notifies the court of a proposed order when the stand-alone order is filed, not when the related motion is filed.

Attorneys on the appointment list must annually file a Certificate of Compliance attesting to required CLE by November 1, or submit qualifying board-certification documentation.

The party or attorney setting a case must give notice to opposing counsel in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Formal service by a sheriff, constable, or private process server requires a copy of the petition, a return of citation on file for 10 days, and expiration of the time to file an answer.

Service of the divorce petition may be completed by the respondent filing a notarized written response or answer with the District Clerk's office.

The attorney must certify service of the application and notice by certified and first-class mail to each obligated party.

A proponent of virtual testimony must email written notice to all parties, counsel, and Shirley Pogue at least seven days before the hearing, identifying the virtual witnesses and confirming the proponent understands the conditions.

An attorney's written vacation designation must be filed with the Clerk and copies provided to all Court Administrators at least 90 days before the vacation.

Electronic filing should occur at least 24 hours before the desired hearing date.

The notice and certificate of service must be on file for 10 days before default may be taken.

The Original Petition for Divorce must be on file for the required 60-day waiting period, except in limited situations involving family violence.

Defense counsel should electronically file all documents at least 24 hours before the desired hearing date.

Counsel must comply with the Sensitive Data requirements of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 21c.

All exhibits must be uploaded through the court's exhibit portal for use by the court and court reporter.

Parties should contact Shirley Pogue when they cannot agree on a hearing schedule.

Questions about the name-change process may be submitted by email to Court Administrator Marlys Tidrick.

After completing the checklist steps, the litigant must call or email the Court Administrator so the filings can be reviewed and sent to Judge Larson’s electronic queue.

An attorney submitting an hourly-fee compensation form must attach detailed invoices and, when the request exceeds the cap, a copy of the court’s authorization.

Before a pre-trial matter may be set for hearing, the moving party must communicate with opposing counsel to determine whether the contemplated motion will be opposed.

A summary judgment hearing may be scheduled online for up to one hour, subject to the Docket Control Order and the TRCP.

Each exhibit file name must identify the presenting party, exhibit number, and provide a very brief description.

All signatures on the relevant divorce documents must be handwritten and must not be typed names.

Attorneys should provide one paper copy of trial exhibits, with plaintiffs or petitioners using a white exhibit binder and defendants or respondents using a black binder.

The order does not authorize either party to seal court filings or proceedings.

A criminal trial continuance motion must be filed with the clerk at least seven days before jury selection, and counsel must notify the Court’s Administrator by email after filing, although the Court may set a hearing as necessary.

Counsel must provide the court one courtesy copy of an appellate brief in a Williamson County criminal case by email.