How to Set an Uncontested Final Hearing (Family Law)

No. Texas courts have various approaches to how they handle uncontested matters. One district court in a Texas county might handle uncontested family (and other civil law) matters in a way that differs from how another district court in the same county handles them. You must ask how to have an uncontested case heard by a specific court in a particular county.

Tip: If you are unsure if your legal matter is contested or uncontested, TexasLawHelp has pointers. See, for example: Is my divorce uncontested or contested?

The best way to start this research is to look at the first page of a petition or another pleading in your case. Usually, the specific court where your case is being handled will be in the top right section of that first page.

For example, it might say:

• In the District Court of Williamson County, Texas, 277th Judicial District (which means that your case is set in the 277th District Court of Williamson County), or
   
• In the County Court at Law No. 1 of Williamson County, Texas (which means that your case is in the County Court at Law No. 1 of Williamson County).

Then call the court coordinator who works for the court where your case is set. Ask how you can have the court hear your uncontested case. The court coordinator is the judge’s right-hand person for handling the caseload and schedule (docket) and managing the court offices.

Listen carefully to what the court coordinator tells you about having your uncontested family law matter considered by the court. Follow the directions to the last detail. Politely ask the coordinator to repeat the information if you do not entirely understand what was said. 

Tell the court coordinator that you are handling your case without an attorney (pro se) because the court might have different approaches to handling uncontested matters of pro se litigants (as opposed to uncontested matters handled by attorneys).

If there is an uncontested family court docket, the judge hears uncontested family court matters (like divorce and custody) on particular days and times. If you cannot find information on the county's website, ask the court coordinator or law librarian when the uncontested docket is or if that county has an uncontested docket.

Examples of how counties approach uncontested docket:

• You might have to file an agreed motion to request a setting on an uncontested matter at a particular time on a specific day and submit a proposed agreed order accompanying that agreed motion. TexasLawHelp offers forms for that purpose:
• You ask for a time and day for an uncontested hearing at a time and day the court regularly hears uncontested matters. Particularly in populous counties, district court family and other civil matters might be heard by a designated district court judge at specific times (such as 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) in a particular courtroom at the courthouse each weekday, with exceptions. With an arrangement like that, you appear with your proposed documents at that time. In some counties, a county law librarian will look over your documents if you submit them in advance before having your matter heard at the uncontested docket to ensure that your documents are in the form the judge will approve. This review may take some time. 

There may be other ways that courts handle uncontested matters. These are just some of the approaches.  

Ask the court coordinator if the judge would like you to get the court’s case file from the district clerk (district court cases) or county clerk’s (county cases) office and bring it to the uncontested docket. Procedures vary by county.

Dress appropriately for your court appearance—for example, no shorts or flip-flops. Dress like you would for a job interview or religious service. Silence your mobile phone before you enter the courtroom because most judges do not like ringing phones in the courtroom. 

Read Tips for the Courtroom and some other guides that that discuss how to act in court:

• Information for Pro Se Litigants (Harris County)
• Basic Information for Self-Represented Litigants (Hidalgo County)
• Court Policy Regarding “Pro Se” Applicants (Applicants without an Attorney) (Montgomery County)

Be polite and respectful toward the court coordinator and all court staff. 

Sometimes, the judge will also want you to place your name on a sign-in sheet of uncontested matters when you arrive at the courtroom. The judge will then call the uncontested matters in the order listed on the sign-in sheet or in the order that the documents (and, in some cases, court files) were handed to the court clerk or court coordinator in the courtroom.

Again, this varies by county. Ask the court staff about local practices. Or talk to a lawyer who practices in that court. 

Usually, the judge will want you to hand the proposed agreed order you would like the judge to sign (and perhaps the court’s file on your case) to the court clerk or the court coordinator at the time that you enter the courtroom. 

Yes! An attorney can help you make sure that the process is completed correctly and that your documents are in order. If you can’t afford to hire an attorney to fully represent you, you may be able to hire an attorney just to advise you. This sort of arrangement is called limited scope representation and may allow you to get this limited legal assistance for a lower fee. Some counties have self-help centers staffed by attorneys who can help you understand your county court, or even review your documents; for example, the Travis County Law Library and the Harris County Law Library.

This basic overview is not a substitute for the legal advice and counsel of a lawyer. A lawyer is trained to protect your legal rights. Even if you decide to represent yourself, try to talk to a lawyer about your case before filing anything. Use the TexasLawHelp Legal Help Directory tool for help finding a lawyer.