Fort Bend County Courts at Law
Fort Bend County
Overview
Guide Overview
County Courts at Law hear probate and guardianship cases, juvenile cases, civil cases up to $250,000, condemnation proceedings, civil mental health commitments, and criminal misdemeanor cases. County Courts at Law also hear appeals of:
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Final rulings and decisions of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission,
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Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts, and
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State Office of Administrative Hearings concerning Administrative License Revocations.
TexasLawHelp is working with courts around the state to provide you with accurate information. To help improve upon the information that is available, please leave any comments or recommendations in this Virtual Court Content Survey.
Research Tips
Read our articles on Zoom and how to use it to prepare for your hearing. You should also read the following documents uploaded by the County Clerk:
Common questions about Fort Bend County
The Fort Bend County Courts at Law are in the Fort Bend County Justice Center at 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, Texas 77469.
Phone: (281) 341-4509
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can use the Fort Bend County Courts Case Record Search available on the County Clerk’s website.
If you want a copy of any documents in your case, you must go to the County Clerk’s office in person and request copies.
You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing.
You can also read more E-Filing on the County Clerk’s website’s New Civil Case E-Filing Guide and New Probate Case E-Filing Guide. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for other E-Filing guides. Also read the E-Filing Information and E-Filing Rules pages on the Clerk’s website.
Instructions & Forms
Instructions & Forms
Honorable Christopher G. Morales
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 2-C
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: (281) 633-7415
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 1’s court live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of February 22, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Read this guide for a list of hearings heard in person only. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 1’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
You can also read the County Court at Law No. 1’s Video Conferencing Policy and Procedures. Visit the Documents and Forms section of the Court’s website for additional Zoom how-tos and instructions.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail. Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcountytx.gov.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Also, visit County Court at Law No. 1’s Court Information page to read court procedures for each area of law.
To request a hearing date and time, email the court coordinator with the type of hearing requested and:
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The type of hearing requested,
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Whether an interpreter is necessary and the required language,
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The anticipated length of the entire hearing, and
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The names of all participants in the hearing (including attorneys, parties, and witnesses).
You will receive a confirmation email from the court coordinator with the Zoom meeting link. Then, you must e-file a Notice of Hearing stating the hearing is taking place by video conference and contain the Zoom conference details from the court coordinator.
For a probate, guardianship, and civil mental health hearing, follow the same steps as above but contact the Probate Auditor, Anita Ayala at anita.ayala@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Yes. You can request a virtual hearing, except for the following types of hearings that are in person only:
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Misdemeanor Mental Health Court Docket,
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Juvenile Dockets,
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Civil, criminal, and juvenile bench trials,
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Civil, criminal, and juvenile jury trials,
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Document intensive civil, probate, guardianship, or criminal hearings,
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Hearings with more than two witnesses, and
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Criminal pleas, discovery compliance dockets, and pre-trial conference dockets.
Exhibits must be submitted to the Court Reporter Stephanie Webb no later than three days before the hearing via email at stephanie.webb@fortbendcountytx.gov and by regular mail on a USB Flash Drive.
Accepted exhibit formats: PDF documents, JPEG and PNG images, and MP4 for audio and video files.
Do not e-file exhibits. Only e-file your exhibit list.
During the hearing, you will show your evidence using the Share Screen feature on the Zoom platform.
Read County Court at Law No. 1’s Video Conferencing Policy and Procedures for more details on submitting exhibits for a virtual hearing.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Sarah Toler at (832) 471-2822 or sarah.toler@fortbendcountytx.gov.
For any probate matters, contact the Probate Auditor Anita Ayala at (281) 633-7413 or anita.ayala@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Honorable Tyra McCollum
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 2-B
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone (Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile): (281) 341-4446
Phone (Probate): (281) 341-4443
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 2’s court live stream.
This information is current as of February 22, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Read this guide for a list of hearings heard in person only. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 2’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcounty.gov.
To request a hearing date and time, email the court coordinator with the type of hearing requested and:
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The type of hearing requested,
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Whether an interpreter is necessary and the required language,
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The anticipated length of the entire hearing, and
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The names of all participants in the hearing (including attorneys, parties, and witnesses).
Civil motions are heard on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
For a probate, guardianship, and civil mental health hearing, follow the same steps as above but contact the Probate Auditor, Norma Limon, at norma.limonCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov to request hearing dates. Uncontested probate matters are heard on designated Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to find out if you can request a virtual hearing.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Mandy Richards at (281) 341-4446 or amarantha.richardsccl2@fortbendcountytx.gov.
For any probate matters, contact the Probate Auditor Norma Limon at (281) 341-4443 or norma.limonCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Honorable Juli Mathew
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 2-D
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: (281) 341-4429
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 3’s court live stream.
This information is current as of February 23, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Hearings are virtual at the court’s discretion. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 3’s webpage for the most up-to-date information. Also, read Judge Mathew’s Instructions for Video Hearings to prepare.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcounty.gov.
All civil motions are heard by Associate Judge Lewis White on designated Tuesday at 9 a.m. To schedule a hearing, contact the Court Coordinator Eralyn Fisher at (281) 341-4424 or Eralyn.Fisher@fortbendcountytx.gov. Judge White’s courtroom is located at 117 Legion Drive, Richmond, Texas 77469.
To set a probate hearing, contact the Probate Auditor at (281) 344-3912 for the earliest available date. Uncontested probate matters are typically heard on Mondays at 1 p.m. Contested probate matters will be scheduled by availability and level of urgency.
Yes. Uncontested probate cases are heard virtually by County Court at Law No. 3.
For all civil matters, contact the Associate Court Coordinator to find out if you can request a virtual hearing. It might depend on the complexity of the matter and the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Administrator Brittany Martinez at (281) 238-2092 or Brittany.Martinez3@fortbendcountytx.gov. You can also contact the Court Coordinator TrayNeisha Sanford at (281) 341-4429 or TrayNeisha.Sanford@fortbendcountytx.gov.
For any probate matters, contact the Probate Auditor Benny Charles at (281) 344-3912.
Honorable Toni M. Wallace
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 2-E
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: (281) 238-1995
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 4’s courtroom live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of February 23, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. All civil hearings are in person unless at discretion of the court. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 4’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcounty.gov.
Read County Court at Law No. 4’s Policies and Procedures for more information.
It is the responsibility of the party filing a motion to request a hearing date. The submission docket is on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. All Justice of the Peace eviction appeals and forcible detainer hearings must be scheduled with the court coordinator.
Applications for Occupational or Restricted Licenses are heard on designated Fridays at 9 a.m. before Associate Judge Lewis White. Contact the Court Coordinator Eralyn Fisher at (281) 341-4424 to set a hearing.
To set a hearing concerning decedent’s estates, guardianship matters, mental health, or Richmond State School dockets, contact the Probate Auditor Kathy Edwards at (281) 238-3297. Uncontested probate matters are heard on designated Monday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Contested matters are heard on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. or as needed. Jury trials are heard on designated Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
All juvenile adjudication, disposition, and status hearings are heard in person on Mondays at 9 a.m. Juvenile dockets are scheduled by Juvenile Probation Officer Lavelle Conley at Lavelle.Conley@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Read County Court at Law No. 4’s Policies and Procedures for more information.
Yes. All civil hearings are in person. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the court depending on the complexity of the matter. Contact the court to find out if you can request a virtual hearing.
Read County Court at Law No. 4’s Policies and Procedures for more information.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Jenica G. Salazar at (281) 238-1995 or Jenica.Salazar@fortbendcountytx.gov.
For probate cases, contact the Probate Auditor Kathy Edwards at (281) 238-3297 or Kathy.Edwards@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Honorable Teana V. Watson
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 1-B
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: (281) 238-3270
Fax: (832) 471-1848
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 5’s court live stream.
This information is current as of February 23, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Virtual hearings are held at discretion of the court. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 5’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcounty.gov.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 5’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, juvenile, and probate cases.
Bench trials and motions hearings are heard on designated Tuesdays at 2 p.m. The filing party filing the motion must contact the court coordinator to schedule a hearing date. To get on the submission docket, email the court coordinator with the information so it can be placed on the submission docket on Tuesdays at 2 p.m.
Jury trials are on select Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Pre-Trial conferences are set on select Tuesdays or Fridays at 10 a.m.
Eviction appeals and forcible detainers are heard on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. before Associate Judge Lewis White. Judge White also hears all applications for Occupational or Restricted Licenses. To set a hearing, contact the Court Coordinator Eralyn Fisher at (281) 341-4424 or Eralyn.Fisher@fortbendcountytx.gov. Judge White’s courtroom is located at 117 Legion Drive, Richmond, Texas 77469.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 5’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, juvenile, and probate cases.
Yes. All civil hearings are in person. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the court depending on the complexity of the matter. Contact the court to find out if you can request a virtual hearing.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 5’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, juvenile, and probate cases.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Jackie Kermode at (281) 238-3247 or Jackie.Kermode@fortbendcountytx.gov.
For probate cases, contact the Probate Auditor Meera Mahadevan at (281) 238-3227 or Meera.Mahadevan@fortbendcountytx.gov.
Honorable Dean Hrbacek
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Courtroom 1-E
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: (832) 471-1165
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Watch County Court at Law No. 6’s court live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of February 23, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Virtual hearings are held at discretion of the court. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 6’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (281) 341-8685 or cclerk@fortbendcounty.gov.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 6’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, DWI, juvenile, and probate cases. Specifically read Rule 3.24.
It is the responsibility of the party filing a motion to request a hearing date by email to Court6civil@fortbendcountytx.gov. Judge Hrbacek requires an oral hearing on all motions for default judgments and motion for summary judgments. Civil motions are heard on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
Applications for Occupational or Restricted Licenses are heard on designated Fridays at 9 a.m. before Associate Judge Lewis White. Contact the Court Coordinator Eralyn Fisher at (281) 341-4424 to set a hearing. Associate Judge White also hears all Justice of the Peace appeals.
Uncontested probate matters are heard on designated Monday mornings at 10:00 am. Email the probate auditor to request hearing dates. Contested matters will also be set by email request.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 6’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, DWI, juvenile, and probate cases. Specifically read Rule 3.24.
Yes. All civil hearings are in person. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the court depending on the complexity of the matter. Contact the court to find out if you can request a virtual hearing.
You can find more information at the County Court at Law No. 6’s Court Information page under the different tabs for civil, criminal, DWI, juvenile, and probate cases.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Candi Hooper at (832) 471-1173 or Court6Civil@fortbendcountytx.gov (for civil) or Court6Criminal@fortbendcountytx.gov (for criminal).
For probate cases, contact the Probate Auditor at (832) 471-1167 or probateCCL6@fortbendcountytx.gov.
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This article provides an overview of e-filing as well as solutions to some common e-filing mistakes. -
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