Court Costs FAQ | Texas Family Law Powerhouse

Question 1

Can a judge order payment of court costs without a hearing?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including In the matter of the name change of D. A. M.-F.. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 is a mandatory procedural framework, not a suggestion. A trial court cannot "informally" bypass the requirements for an indigency claim; any order to pay costs must be preceded by a formal motion or inquiry, ten days' notice, and a full evidentiary hearing.

Question 2

Can I be charged court costs twice for multiple charges in the same case?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including Bonilla v. Texas. A criminal judgment is a critical piece of evidence in family law; practitioners must verify that written judgments accurately reflect oral pronouncements and victim participation. Clerical errors, such as omitting a victim impact statement, can be weaponized by an opposing party to minimize a history of abuse during custody or divorce litigation, but such errors are reformable on appeal or via a motion nunc pro tunc.

Question 3

What are the rules for ordering court costs in Texas family law cases?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including In the matter of the name change of D. A. M.-F.. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 is a mandatory procedural framework, not a suggestion. A trial court cannot "informally" bypass the requirements for an indigency claim; any order to pay costs must be preceded by a formal motion or inquiry, ten days' notice, and a full evidentiary hearing.