December Highlights
(Details in table below)
Change to TRCP Rule 194
Just in time for the change to Rule 194 of the TRCP, TXdocs has updated Pretrial Disclosures in the Civil Litigation volume to reflect the new language and requirements for a list identifying the documents and exhibits to be presented at trial. If you want to check out the change that’s effective December 1, 2024, it’s Misc. Docket No. 24-9097.
Norris Modern Wills
- Option for an initial co-trustee in Living Trusts
- Options for including afterborns in definitions of children
- References to “remainder of my estate” instead of “residuary estate”
- Options for restatement of trusts
- Expanded relationships for important people in your client’s file
- Expanded distribution options after death of settlor in living trusts
- Added more instruction to online intakes
- Added option for Title Notice Disclaimer in Special Warranty Deeds
Real Estate:
- New RTF for Third Party Financing Addendum
Family Law
- Added option to include notice to preserve evidence in pleadings
- Added options for model order language from AppClose and Our Family Wizard in divorce decree and temporary orders
- New Motion and Order for Summary Judgment based on TRCP 166a(i)
- Improved assembly for income taxes in Decree, clarified provisions for providing information to tax preparer
Probate
- Unsworn declaration options in proofs for subscribing witnesses
- Added estate’s interest for each asset and decedent’s identifying information in the Small Estate Affidavit
- Additional degrees of consanguinity in listing of heirs
Civil Litigation
- Waiver of Citation can now be assembled for multiple people at once
- Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence for the 394th Court
Select a practice area below to see a complete list of updates:
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 1.05 | Engagement Letter | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.06 | Disclosure and Consent to Joint Representation | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.01 | Simple Will | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Simple Will - Spouse | Signature lines adjusted for consistency | |
| 2.02 | Simple Will - Dynasty Trust for Primary Beneficiaries | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Simple Will - Dynasty Trust for Primary Beneficiaries - Spouse | Signature lines adjusted for consistency | |
| 2.03 | Tax Oriented Will | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Tax Oriented Will - Spouse | Signature lines adjusted for consistency | |
| 2.05 | Pourover Will - Married Testator | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Pourover Will - Spouse | Signature lines adjusted for consistency | |
| 2.06 | Pourover Will - Single Person | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.07 | Small Estate Will With Special Needs Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Small Estate Will With Special Needs Trust - Spouse | Signature lines adjusted for consistency | |
| 2.08 | Codicil to Will | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 5.01 | Waiver of Citation | Looped document to allow it to be assembled for multiple people at once |
| 5.03 | Motion for Substituted Service (TRCP 106) | Added Defendant's name for substituted service for clarification when multiple defendants. |
| 5.03 | Order - Motion for Substituted Service (TRCP 106) | Added Defendant's name in the granting paragraph for clarification when multiple defendants. |
| 9.02 | Original Answer [and Counterclaim] | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 34.05 | Pretrial Disclosures | Updated with Supreme Court change to TRCP 194.4 (a)(2) Pre-Trial Disclosures, Effective December 1, 2024 |
| Local | Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Brewster) | New form |
| Local | Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Culberson) | New form |
| Local | Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Hudspeth) | New form |
| Local | Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Jeff Davis) | New form |
| Local | Certification Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (Presidio) | New form |
| 46.04 | Application for Prejudgment Writ of Garnishment | Improved coding to bring in social security number and driver's license information entered in the party panel for clients. Also improved coding to only reference Plaintiff clients as applicants and spelled out reference to TRCP 658. |
| 46.04 | Order for Issuance of Prejudgment Writ of Garnishment | Improved coding to only reference Plaintiff clients as applicants and spelled out reference to TRCP 658. |
| 43.03 | Original Answer - Products Liability | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 49.14 | Original Answer to Petition for Declaratory Judgment | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 48.03 | Original Answer - Partition | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 40.06 | Original Answer - Breach of Contract | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 44.13 | Original Answer - Motor Vehicle Collision | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 45.15 | Original Answer (DTPA) | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 42.03 | Original Answer - Premises Liability | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 41.17 | Original Answer - Medical Malpractice | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 11.04 | Defendant's Special Appearance - Personal Jurisdiction | Improved coding to bring in client Defendant's social security and driver's license information entered into party panel. |
| 43.03 | Original Answer | Fixed problem with Driver's License # and SSN not coming in correctly for client defendants |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 3.01 | Original Petition for Divorce | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 3.03 | Waiver of Service - Divorce | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 4.01 | Final Decree of Divorce | Added option for model order language from AppClose and OurFamilyWizard Services. |
| 4.01 | Final Decree of Divorce | Improved assembly for income taxes, clarified provisions for providing info to tax preparer |
| 5.08 | Temporary Orders - Divorce | 11.6.24 JA - Added option for language from AppClose and OurFamilyWizard Services model language if co-parenting website or app selected. |
| 10.01 | Petition to Modify Parent-Child Relationship | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 11.01 | Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 11.15 | Original Petition in SAPCR to Prevent International Child Abduction | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 18.05 | Waiver of Service - SAPCR | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 18.13 | Petition for Temporary Authorization for Care of Child | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 19.20 | Motion for Enforcement of Final Protective Order | Updated to work smoothly with new standardized forms |
| 19.22 | Order Enforcing Final Protective Order | Updated to work smoothly with new standardized forms |
| 21.13 | Response to Request for Admissions | Improved assembly for additional requests |
| 26.39 | Motion for No Evidence Summary Judgment (TRCP 166a(i)) | New form |
| 26.40 | Order Granting Motion for No Evidence Summary Judgment | New form |
| 29.08 | Original Petition to Terminate or Modify Withholding | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 29.17 | Petition to Recover Balance of Child Support From Deceased Obligor | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 30.24 | Petition - License Suspension re Failure to [Pay Child Support-Comply Subpoena] | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 30.25 | Petition for Foreign Judgment Enforcement - Child Support | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 30.44 | Original Petition to Recover Child Support Payment | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 31.15 | Petition License Suspension re Failure to Comply With Possession Access Order | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 31.26 | Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus [and Writ of Attachment] - Children | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 31.40 | Petition for Enforcement of Child Custody | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 32.03 | Petition for Enforcement of Division of Property [by Contempt] | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 34.01 | Petition for Enforcement of Spousal Maintenance | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 34.10 | Petition to Terminate-Modify Order - Writ of Withholding for Spousal Maintenance | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 34.14 | Petition to Recover Overpaid Spousal Maintenance | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 35.01 | Petition to Modify Parent-Child Relationship During Military Duty | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 35.07 | Petition for Additional Periods of Possession and Access | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 36.01 | Original Petition to Modify Order by Court of Another State | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 38.02 | Petition to Challenge Acknowledgment of Paternity | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence; added option for Interested People to be cited "wherever [name] may be found" |
| 38.01 | Petition to Adjudicate Parentage | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 38.11 | Petition to Validate Gestational Agreement | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 38.12 | Waiver of Service - Gestational Agreement | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 39.01 | Original Petition for Termination and Adoption of Stepchild[ren] | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 40.01 | Original Petition to Terminate Parent-Child Relationship | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 40.03 | Original Petition to Terminate Parent-Child Relationship by Nongenetic Father | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 42.01 | Original Petition to Annul Marriage | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 42.02 | Waiver of Service - Annulment | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 42.06 | Original Petition to Void Marriage | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 42.07 | Waiver of Service - Annulment of Underage Marriage | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 42.10 | Original Petition to Annul Underage Marriage | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 42.11 | Waiver of Service - Void Marriage | If no objection to associate judge, added language in the alternative that the case may be decided by the Judge of the Court or by an associate judge duly appointed by the Court. |
| 45.01 | Original Petition for Possession of or Access to a Grandchild | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 45.05 | Petition for Removal of Disabilities of Minority | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 45.09 | Original Petition for Sibling Access | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 45.14 | Original Petition for Court-Ordered Support for Disabled Child | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 45.20 | Original Petition for Bill of Review | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 45.29 | Petition for Declaratory Judgment | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 50.01 | Original Petition for Post-Decree Division of Property | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| 50.02 | Original Petition for Post-Decree Qualified Domestic Relations Order | Added option to include notice to preserve evidence |
| LOCAL | Travis Co. Standing Order | Travis Co. Standing Order now assembles when you check the box when assembling Original Petitions |
| LOCAL | Galveston Co. New Child Support Account | Updated questions used in PDF |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 2.01 | Application for Appointment of Guardian | Corrected typo in form. |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 1.01 | Residential Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.02 | Grazing Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.03 | Hunting Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.04 | Office Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.05 | Retail Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.06 | Agricultural Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.01 | Acceptance Letter | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.02 | Asbestos Disclosure | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.03 | Expansion Space Rider | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.04 | Extension Option Rider | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.05 | Guaranty Agreement | Signature lines adjusted for consistency and improved signature and notary block |
| 2.06 | Parking Addendum | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.07 | Release of Liability - Hunting Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.08 | Tenant's Improvement Rider | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.09 | Indemnity Agreement | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.10 | Pet Addendum | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.01 | Assignment of Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.02 | Estoppel Certificate | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.03 | Landlord's Lien Waiver | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.04 | Lead Based Paint Warning | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.05 | Modification of Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.06 | Sublease Agreement | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.07 | Subordination Agreement | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.08 | Tenant's Subordination Agreement | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.09 | Termination of Lease | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.10 | Notice of Termination | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.11 | Unsworn Declaration | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.04 | Notice to Vacate | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.07 | Affidavit of Ownership | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.08 | Non-Military Affidavit | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.09 | Notice of Transfer of Security Deposit | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.07 | Affidavit in Support of Default Judgment | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.08 | Default Final Judgment (possession only) | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 7.03 | Affidavit of Attorney's Fees | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 6.05 | Special Warranty Deed - Single Person to Trust | Added option for title notice disclaimer |
| 6.06 | Special Warranty Deed - Spouses to Trust | Added option for title notice disclaimer |
| 35.40 | Affidavit of Declaration of Translation of Foreign Language Document | Made additional statement of knowledge optional. |
| 27.09 | Subscribing Witnesses to Will - Proof of Will | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 17.01 | Small Estate Affidavit | Allowed great grand and great great grand niece/nephew |
| 32.06 | Motion for Removal of Personal Representative | Changed references from "TEC" to "Texas Estates Code" |
| 12.03 | Proof of Facts Concerning Identity of Heirs | Allowed great grand and great great grand niece/nephew |
| 27.23 | Signature Witness - Proof of Decedent's Signature on Will or Codicil | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 27.24 | Signature Witness - Proof of Subscribing Witness's Signature on Will or Codicil | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 12.02 | Affidavit Concerning Identity of Heirs | Allowed great grand and great great grand niece/nephew |
| 27.17 | Subscribing Witnesses to Codicil - Proof of Codicil | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 27.33 | Holographic Codicil - Proof of Handwriting | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 24.01 | Annual Account | Improved assembly relating to "total" values |
| 17.01 | Small Estate Affidavit | Added Estate's Interest in each asset and updated calculation of Estate's Total Interest |
| 35.33 | Affidavit or Declaration in Support of Motion for Continuance of Hearing | Improved coding for role of declarant when an Unsworn Declaration is assembled. |
| 27.32 | Holographic Will - Proof of Handwriting [and Other Facts] | Added option for unsworn declaration |
| 17.01 | Small Estate Affidavit | Added address of decedent's domicile at time of death and decedent's identifying information (Social Security number and Driver's License) |
| 8.13 | Statement of Facts | Retired form - use the Proof of Facts Concerning the Identities of Heirs |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 8.9 | Third Party Financing Addendum | New rtf form, based on TREC 40-10 |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 1.1 | Springing Durable Power of Attorney | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 1.2 | Statutory Durable Power of Attorney | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.1 | Partition Agreement - Spouses | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 2.2 | Partition Agreement - Estate | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.1 | Life Insurance Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - Life Insurance | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.3 | Notice of Intent to Make Gifts - Life Insurance | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.4 | Declaration of Gift and Notice of Withdrawal Right - Life Ins. | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.5 | Notice of Contribution and Right of Withdrawal - Life Ins. | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.6 | Exercise of Authority to Appoint Successor Trustee - Life Ins. | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.7 | Certificate of Trust - Life Insurance | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.9 | Acknowledgment of Receipt of Documents - Life Ins. | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 3.10 | Acceptance of Appointment by Trustee - Life Ins. | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.1 | GST Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.3 | Notice of Intent to Make Gifts - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.4 | Declaration of Gift and Notice of Withdrawal Right - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.5 | Notice of Contribution and Right of Withdrawal - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.6 | Exercise of Authority to Appoint Successor Trustee - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 4.7 | Certificate of Trust - GST | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.1 | Spousal Lifetime Access Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.3 | Notice of Intent to Make Gifts - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.4 | Declaration of Gift and Notice of Withdrawal Right - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.5 | Notice of Contribution and Right of Withdrawal - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.6 | Exercise of Authority to Appoint Successor Trustee - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 5.7 | Certificate of Trust - SLAT | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.1 | Grandchild Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.3 | Notice of Intent to Make Gifts - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.4 | Declaration of Gift and Notice of Withdrawal Right - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.5 | Notice of Contribution and Right of Withdrawal - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.6 | Exercise of Authority to Appoint Successor Trustee - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 6.7 | Certificate of Trust - Grandchild | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 7.1 | Special Needs Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 10.1 | Simple Revocable Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 10.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - Simple Revocable | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 10.3 | Certificate of Trust - Simple Revocable | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 10.7 | Notice of Trust Creation - Simple | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 11.1 | Tax Planned Revocable Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 11.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - Tax Planned | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 11.3 | Certificate of Trust - Tax Planned Revocable | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 11.7 | Notice of Trust Creation - Tax Planned | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 12.1 | Standby Management Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 12.2 | Receipt of Funding Deposit - Standby | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 12.3 | Certificate of Trust - Standby | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 13.1 | Amendment to Trust | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| 13.2 | Assignment of Personal Property and Household Effects | Signature lines adjusted for consistency |
| Menu # | Title | Details |
| 1.01 | Modern Client Intake | Added question to define the relationship of a non-descendant important person |
| 1.02 | Client Confirmation | Added question to define the relationship of a non-descendant important person |
| 1.02 | Confirmation of Client Information | Added option for co-trustee |
| 2.02 | Modern Will | Added optional language for afterborn children |
| 2.02 | Modern Will | Residuary Estate- now referred to as Remainder of My Estate |
| 2.02 | Spouse's Modern Will | Added optional language for afterborn children |
| 2.02 | Spouse's Modern Will | Improved coding for spouse's Will when no trust provisions are selected |
| 6.01 | Living Trust - Spouses | Added option for restatement |
| 6.01 | Living Trust - Spouses | Added option for distribution of remaining trust property after death of settlors. |
| 6.02 | Living Trust - Single Person | Added option for co-trustee and option for restatement |
| 6.02 | Living Trust - Single Person | Added options for distribution of remaining trust property after death of settlor |
| 6.03 | Assignment of Property to Trust | Added option for co-trustee, added validation and extra instructions for funding of trust |
| 6.04 | Certification of Trust | Added option for co-trustees |
| 6.04 | Certification of Trust | Added option for restatement |
| OIS | Modern Client Intake | Added "Other Relationship" question for non-descendant important people |