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In light of the current public health concerns related to COVID-19, the Fort Bend County family courts have issued a joint statement (view here) about how their courts will operate while ensuring the safety of litigants, attorneys, and court staff.
Should you have any questions we can help with, do not hesitate to contact us at 832-781-0320.
Below you will find the most current updates for Fort Bend County.
As of March 20, 2020:
Today, the Fort Bend County Family Courts issued a new standing order today with updated guidance and court information related to COVID-19. The Courts are resetting all non-essential hearings. What is essential will be determined by the court, but includes:
- Protective orders if an ex parte protective order has been granted
- CPS emergencies and CPS show cause hearings
- Habeas Corpus and Write of Attachment proceedings
- Temporary orders if extraordinary relief is granted based on the TRO request upon filing
- Chapter 33 hearings
Agreed final hearings (a.k.a. “prove-ups”) on divorces, SAPCR cases, and name changes and all agreed orders can be submitted with a supporting affidavit signed by all parties and attorneys.
The Courts also ordered that all new divorce and child custody cases will attach standing Temporary Mutual Injunctions to the service documents. Temporary Mutual Injunctions restrain both parties from certain types of negative behavior throughout the case.
As of March 16, 2020:
Court Status
As of March 16th, 2020, the courts are still operating and open in Fort Bend County. However, all resets between now and April 3rd, 2020 will be granted, and the court is considering any health concerns when making their decisions. All postponed court dates will be reset for after April 13th, 2020.
Further, all pleadings must be e-filed with no in-person paper filings allowed.
Juror Service
Jury service has been suspended for all District, County, and Justice of the Peace Courts through March 27, 2020.
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If you have questions or concerns about a child custody, child support, or divorce matter in Fort Bend County, our office remains open and will be accepting consultations. We are taking the recommended precautions, including disinfecting all common areas, tables, countertops after every meeting. In addition, hand sanitizer stations are located in each conference room and all common spaces.
If you are unable to come to the office, we can meet by telephone or videoconference (compatible with most smartphones, tablets, and computers). We can also conduct meetings, group conferences, and mediations 100% virtually.
This page is for informational purposes only. All updates are to the best of our knowledge. Updates are moving very quickly and the most recent update you see here could be out of date by the time you read it, or we update again. Please do not rely on our updates, but instead rely on information provided directly by the court and your attorney. The information above is not intended to be legal advice nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship where none exists.