Judge Piper McCraw
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Communication
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
This summary is intended to be an aid for the Judge and staff, and should be limited to one page if possible.
- Page limit
- Up to 1 page
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Proposed jury charges in hardcopy and via computer disk and/or email in Word format to Court Coordinator.
- File type
- Word
- Jury charges
Formatting
- •Submit a hard copy to the Court Coordinator
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Before you can schedule a hearing to finalize a default judgment, you must complete this Certificate for Default Judgment checklist and file it with the Court.
All adoptions and requests for name changes must be set by you for a prove- up hearing with the Court. You must have a proposed order eFiled prior to your hearing date.
Please do not contact the Court to set a final hearing until you have eFiled a proposed Order and you have verified that the Certificate of Criminal History Record Information has been completed in your case and is on file with the District Clerk.
Proposed jury charges in hardcopy and via computer disk and/or email in Word format to Court Coordinator.
Each party must provide a concise trial summary addressing the listed matters at the formal pretrial conference.
Court's wording
Each party is directed to produce the following at the Formal Pre-Trial Conference: 1) A concise trial summary as follows: State each separate cause of action and/or defense; each element of each cause of action and/or defense; if appropriate, a precise legal standard for measure of damages. Please be as brief and concise as possible. This summary is intended to be an aid for the Judge and staff, and should be limited to one page if possible.
All documentary evidence and exhibits (for the purpose of stipulating to the authenticity and admissibility of exhibits).
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
When you are ready to set your case for final hearing, please eFile your Notice of Final Hearing and the Court will set the matter on the next available date.
When you are ready to set your case for final hearing, please eFile your Notice of Final Hearing and the Court will set the matter on the next available date.
Page 2 | Divorce Cases - Contested Divorce Cases
After the stated agreed-divorce conditions are met, the agreed decree signed by all parties and attorneys must be e-filed and Shannon Reynolds must be emailed that it is ready for court review.
Once the above conditions have been met, please eFile the agreed decree signed by all parties and attorneys, and email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to let her know that the decree is ready to be reviewed by the Court.
Page 2 | Divorce Cases - Agreed (Uncontested) Divorce Cases
For contested parent-child relationship or modification suits, the Notice of Final Hearing must be e-filed when the case is ready for final hearing.
When you are ready to set your case for final hearing, please eFile your Notice of Final Hearing and the Court will set the matter on the next available date.
Page 3 | Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits — Contested Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits
A proposed order must be e-filed before the hearing date for adoption and name-change matters.
All adoptions and requests for name changes must be set by you for a prove- up hearing with the Court. You must have a proposed order eFiled prior to your hearing date.
Page 3 | Adoptions and Name Changes (Adult and Minors)
The proposed order for an adult name change must be e-filed before contacting the Court to set a final hearing.
Please do not contact the Court to set a final hearing until you have eFiled a proposed Order and you have verified that the Certificate of Criminal History Record Information has been completed in your case and is on file with the District Clerk.
Page 3 | Adoptions and Name Changes (Adult and Minors) — Adult Name Changes
After the stated conditions are met, the signed agreed order must be e-filed and Shannon Reynolds must be emailed that it is ready for the Court's signature.
Once the above conditions have been met, please eFile the agreed order signed by all parties and attorneys, and email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to let her know that the order is ready to be signed by the Court.
Page 3 | Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Discovery requests must be served or filed early enough to permit a timely response by the discovery deadline.
Discovery requests shall be served or filed, as appropriate, in sufficient time to allow for a timely response to such discovery requests to be served or filed by the discovery deadline.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order
Mediation must occur within six months of the trial.
Mediation must occur within 6 months of the trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Mediation
Daubert/Dupont expert challenges must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.
All “Daubert/Dupont” expert challenges must be on file at least 10 days before hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order
All pretrial motions must be filed 10 days before the formal pretrial conference and will be heard at that conference.
All pre-trial motions (Motions in Limine, etc.) shall be filed 10 days before the formal pre- trial conference and will be heard at the formal pre-trial conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Trials Only - Formal Pre-Trial Conference
In a jury trial, Daubert/Dupont challenges must be heard no later than the formal pretrial conference.
If set for a Jury Trial, these challenges shall be heard no later than the formal pre-trial conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery Control Plan and Scheduling Order
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Before finalizing a case, the respondent must have filed a signed and notarized waiver of service, or service by citation must comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the citation return must have been on file for at least 10 days with the answer date passed or an answer filed.
To finalize any case, you must first verify that: 1. A signed and notarized Waiver of Service by the Respondent has been filed with the District Clerk; or 2. The respondent has been served with citation, the citation return has been on file at least 10 days and respondent’s answer date has passed, or any time after respondent has filed an answer. (Service must be in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure).
Page 1 | INFORMATION FOR PRO SE (SELF REPRESENTED) LITIGANTS
The pro se litigant is responsible for ensuring that all opposing parties or attorneys receive timely notice of the trial setting in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all opposing parties or attorneys have received timely notice of the trial setting pursuant to and in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 2 | Divorce Cases - Contested Divorce Cases
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion for continuance must be filed and decided before the trial date unless an extenuating circumstance applies; otherwise, the party must appear at the trial setting.
Motions for Continuance are to be filed and ruled on prior to the trial date absent an extenuating circumstance. Otherwise, you are expected to appear at the trial setting.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions for Continuance
Failure to mediate before the trial date does not automatically justify a continuance.
Failure to mediate prior to the trial date is NOT an automatic ground for continuance.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Mediation
Chambers Communication Rules
After filing the completed default judgment checklist, email Shannon Reynolds to schedule the default hearing.
Once it has been completed and filed, email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to schedule your default.
Page 1 | Default Judgments
A pro se litigant must contact the court to schedule needed hearings and submit the paperwork required to finalize the case.
It is your responsibility to contact the Court to schedule any and all hearings needed and/or submit the proper paperwork to finalize your case.
Page 1 | INFORMATION FOR PRO SE (SELF REPRESENTED) LITIGANTS
If the case has not been set for final hearing within one week after submission, contact Shannon Reynolds by email to verify receipt of the Notice of Final Hearing.
If your case has not been set for final hearing within 1 week from submission please contact Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to verify the Notice of Final Hearing was received.
Page 2 | Divorce Cases - Contested Divorce Cases
After e-filing the agreed divorce decree, email Shannon Reynolds to notify her that the decree is ready for court review.
Once the above conditions have been met, please eFile the agreed decree signed by all parties and attorneys, and email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to let her know that the decree is ready to be reviewed by the Court.
Page 2 | Divorce Cases - Agreed (Uncontested) Divorce Cases
If the case is not set for final hearing within one week after submission, contact Shannon Reynolds by email to verify receipt of the Notice of Final Hearing.
If your case has not been set for final hearing within 1 week from submission please contact Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to verify the Notice of Final Hearing was received.
Page 3 | Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits — Contested Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits
Email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to notify her that the agreed order is ready for the Court's signature.
Once the above conditions have been met, please eFile the agreed order signed by all parties and attorneys, and email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us to let her know that the order is ready to be signed by the Court.
Page 3 | Suits Affecting Parent-Child Relationship and Modification Suits
When ready to set an adoption or name-change case for final hearing, email Shannon Reynolds, who will set the matter for the next available date.
When you are ready to set your case for final hearing, please email Shannon Reynolds at sreynolds@co.collin.tx.us, and she will set the matter on the next available date.
Page 3 | Adoptions and Name Changes (Adult and Minors)