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Recent Updates—April 2021

April 2021 updates to practice notes include coverage of selected cases from the court term ended August 2020 and amendments to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure on discovery and service of process that became effective on January 1, 2021. Updates to forms include changes required to reflect those rules changes, including several new forms.

Changes to Practice Notes—April 2021

Chapter 1Ethics and Malpractice

§ 1.24:1Statutes of Limitation

In the first paragraph, the text citing Webb was added.

Chapter 3Divorce Pleadings

§ 3.3Citation

In the fourth and ninth paragraphs, the text citing Tex. R. Civ. P. 106 was revised to reflect amendment of the rule, and the comment following the ninth paragraph was added.

§ 3.8Protective Order Statement

The first sentence was revised.

§ 3.15Inmate’s Participation at Trial

The citation to Gamboa was added.

Chapter 4Divorce—Temporary Orders

§ 4.14Associate Judge

In the final paragraph, the text citing In re I.D.Z. was added.

§ 4.18Temporary Orders Pending Appeal

In the ninth paragraph, the text citing In re Mansour and In re Jafarzadeh was added.

Chapter 5Discovery

§ 5.1Forms of Discovery Generally

The text was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.2Discovery Control Plan

The text under “Level 1” under “Discovery Control Levels” was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

The first and third paragraphs under “Level 1” under “Discovery Limitations” were revised, and the second paragraph was added, to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

The first and third paragraphs under “Level 2” under “Discovery Limitations” were revised, and the second paragraph was added, to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.9Discovery of Customer Records from Financial Institution

In the first paragraph, the final sentence was added.

§ 5.22:5Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

The text was revised to reflect changes in the relevant federal statute and regulation, including the substitution of “substance use disorder” for “substance abuse.”

§ 5.24Testifying and Consulting Experts

The comment following the second paragraph was added.

§ 5.26Other Topics of Discovery

The text was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.28Privileged Matters

The second paragraph in item 4 of the list in the second paragraph was added.

§ 5.29Waiving Objections to Discovery or Assertions of Privilege

Item 4 was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.40Written Discovery Defined

This section was formerly section 5.41; it was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.41Requests for Discovery—Suits Filed Before January 1, 2021

This section was formerly section 5.42. Under “Subjects of Disclosure, the final two sentences were added.

§ 5.42Requests for Discovery—Suits Filed on or after January 1, 2021

This section was added to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.43 Requests for Production and Inspection of Documents and Tangible Things

The first paragraph under “Response” was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.44Request or Motion for Entry on Property

The first paragraph under “Response” was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.45Interrogatories to Parties

The second sentence in the second paragraph was revised to correct an error.

The first paragraph under “Response” was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.46Requests for Admissions

The first paragraph under “Response” was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.47Responses and Objections to Written Discovery

The first paragraph was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

The first and third paragraphs under “Assertion of Privilege” were revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.49Effect of Failure to Timely Respond

In the first paragraph, the first sentence was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21, and the text citing In re E.L.A.V. was added.

§ 5.61Permitted Means of Discovery

The text was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.62Designation of Experts

The first paragraph was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21, and the second paragraph was added.

The comment was revised for clarity.

§ 5.63Depositions

The first paragraph was revised to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.65Protected Communications, Expert Reports, and Disclosures

This section was added to reflect rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

§ 5.71Motion and Order for Mental or Physical Examination

The final sentence was added to the first paragraph.

§ 5.81Oral Depositions

The third paragraph was added and reflects rules amendments effective for cases filed on or after 1/1/21.

Chapter 7Inventory and Appraisement

§ 7.6On Appeal

The text citing Moore was added.

Chapter 8Ancillary Motions and Proceedings

§ 8.12Withdrawal of Attorney

The second paragraph was added.

§ 8.17Associate Judge

In the fourth paragraph under “Hearing before Judge,” the text citing Alwazzan was added.

§ 8.21Substituted Service—Rule 106

The first paragraph was amended, and the comment following it was added, to reflect the amendment of Tex. R. Civ. P. 106.

§ 8.23Amending Citation—Rule 118

The text citing In re Spinks was added.

§ 8.24Service of Amended Petition

This section was added.

§ 8.34Separate Trial

In the second paragraph, the citation to Wright was added.

§ 8.43Receiverships

In the tenth paragraph, all material following the citation to Logsdon was added.

§ 8.61Nonsuit

This section was added, and the remaining sections in part VII were renumbered.

Chapter 9Child Support

§ 9.2Who May Be Ordered to Pay

In the third paragraph, the citation to S.L. was added.

The fifth paragraph was added.

§ 9.3Manner of Payment

The third paragraph was added.

§ 9.8Child Support for Disabled Child

In the first paragraph, the citation to In re V.R.J. was added.

In the sixth paragraph, the citation to In re N.E.C. was added.

§ 9.11Payments in Excess of Court-Ordered Amount

The citation to Troiani was added.

§ 9.21Net Resources Defined

In the second paragraph, the citations to In re Marriage of Tuttle and In re K.M.B. were added.

The third paragraph was added.

§ 9.22Self-Employment Income

The citations to In re Marriage of Tuttle and In re S.M.H. were added.

Chapter 13Court-Ordered Representatives

§ 13.3Mandatory Appointment of Representatives

In the fourth paragraph, the citation to In re J.F. was added.

§ 13.15

In the third paragraph under “Nongovernmental Cases,” the text citing In re M.B.D. was added.

Chapter 17Protective Orders

§ 17.10

In the eighth paragraph, the text citing Johnson and the citation to Lancaster were added.

§ 17.12

In the fifth paragraph, the text citing Taylor was added.

The thirteenth paragraph was added.

§ 17.21

In the first paragraph, the citations to Maples and Onkst were added.

Chapter 18Alternative Dispute Resolution and Informal Settlement

§ 18.3 Arbitration and Mediation Agreements

In the seventh paragraph under “Arbitration,” the citations to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and to Heilmann were added.

In the fifth paragraph under “Mediation,” the citation to Jardon was added.

§ 18.6Enforcement of Mediated Settlement Agreement

The eighth paragraph was added.

In the tenth paragraph, the text citing Tidwell was added.

In the twelfth paragraph, the text citing In re M.E.H. was added. At the end of that paragraph, the citation to In re C.N.H. was added.

Chapter 19Trial Proceedings

§ 19.3Preferential Setting

The text citing Tex. R. Civ. P. 245 and Hildebrand was added.

§ 19.4Continuance

In the fifth paragraph, the citation to In re Sakyi was added.

In the seventh paragraph, the citation to Caddell was added.

§ 19.8Default Judgment

In the first paragraph, the text citing Johnson and Lancaster was added.

In the third paragraph, the text citing Garcia, Lynch, and Stoner was added.

“Service of Amended Petition” “Citation by Publication,” and “Record” were added.

§ 19.11

The second and third paragraphs were added.

In the ninth paragraph, the text citing TransAmerican and In re Montelongo was added.

The twelfth paragraph was revised.

§ 19.21

This section was added.

Chapter 20Attorney’s Fees

§ 20.12

In the second paragraph, the text citing In re Z.O.M. was added.

§ 20.16

In the second paragraph, the text citing Seitz and Jardon was added.

§ 20.23

In the third paragraph, the citation to In re Mansour was added.

Chapter 23Divorce—Decrees and Agreements Incident to Divorce

§ 23.1Required Specificity

The parenthetical text at the end of the section was added.

§ 23.2Orders Not Enforceable by Contempt

In the first paragraph, the text citing In re Green was added.

The last sentence in the section was revised.

§ 23.8Debts and Tax Liabilities

In the first paragraph, the text was revised, and the citation to Johnson was added.

§ 23.9Spousal Maintenance and Contractual Alimony

Under “Spousal Maintenance,” minor changes were made in the first, second, fourth, seventh, and fourteenth paragraphs.

In the seventh paragraph, the citation to Day was added.

In the eleventh paragraph, the text citing Summerville was added.

In the thirteenth paragraph, the text citing Caudillo was added.

In the fifteenth paragraph, the entire text of the paragraph preceding the citation to Waldrop was added.

§ 23.23

In the second paragraph, the citation to Smith was added.

§ 23.24

The second paragraph was added.

Chapter 24Closing Documents

§ 24.2General Requirements

“Duress” was added.

Chapter 25Employment and Retirement Benefits

§ 25.31

In the third paragraph, the citation to Tatum was added.

§ 25.48

The first sentence was revised, and the text citing Tatum was added.

Chapter 26Posttrial Proceedings and Appeals

§ 26.1Final Order

In the sixth paragraph under “Judgment vs. Rendition,” the citation to Naylor was added.

In the seventh paragraph under “Judgment vs. Rendition,” the text citing In re R.R.K. was added.

The second paragraph under “Agreed Judgments” was revised.

“Final Order Signed by Presiding Judge vs. Associate Judge” and “Bifurcated Trial” were added.

“Attorney’s Fees” was revised, and the comment following it was added.

The second paragraph under “Collateral Attack on Judgments” was added.

§ 26.3:1New Trial—Generally

In the second paragraph, the text following the citation to Tex. R. Civ. P. 320 was added.

§ 26.3:5New Trial—After Default Judgment

The second paragraph under “Improper Service” was added.

§ 26.3:6New Trial—Time for Filing Motions

The comment at the end of the section was added.

§ 26.3:7New Trial—Plenary Power

The first sentence of the second paragraph was revised.

§ 26.3:8New Trial—Order on Motion for New Trial

The second and third paragraphs were revised.

§ 26.4Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform Judgment

The text in “Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform Judgment vs. Motion for Judgment Non Obstante Veredicto” was revised.

The comment under “Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform vs. Motion to Clarify” was added.

The first paragraph under “Motion to Modify, Correct, or Reform vs. Judgment Nunc Pro Tunc” was revised.

§ 26.5Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

The text in “Marital property” under “When Request for Findings of Fact Should Be Made” was revised.

The first paragraph under “Trial Court’s Response” was revised.

The comment in “Effect of Trial Court’s Failure to File Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law after Proper Request” was added.

Under “Effect of Filing Request for Findings of Fact,” the parenthetical text following the citation to Sonnier was added.

§ 26.6Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

The second paragraph under “Property Division” was added.

“Appointment of Receiver” was added.

§ 26.7Formal Bill of Exception

The first sentence was revised.

§ 26.8Relief Pending Appeal

The eighth paragraph under “Temporary Orders Pending Appeal in Suits for Divorce, for Annulment, or to Declare Marriage Void” was revised.

The first paragraph under “Attorney’s Fees on Appeal” was revised.

In the fourth paragraph under “Attorney’s Fees on Appeal,” the citation to Mansour was added.

§ 26.12

The text under “Local Rules” was revised.

§ 26.13

In the first paragraph under “Accelerated Appeal,” the last sentence was added.

§ 26.15

The text under “Caution” was revised.

§ 26.15:1Deadline for Filing Accelerated Appeal

The text of item 1 in the second paragraph was revised.

§ 26.22

The text was revised.

§ 26.23

At the end of the seventh paragraph, citations to several cases were added.

Chapter 27Mandamus

§ 27.1Mandamus—General Considerations

The second paragraph was added.

§ 27.14

This section was added, and all subsequent sections were renumbered.

§ 27.16

In the second paragraph under “Nonlegislative Continuance,” the citation to In re Rodriguez was added.

§ 27.18

The fourth paragraph under “Pretrial Discovery” (citing In re Living Centers and In re Christus Santa Rosa Health System) was added.

27.19Grandparent and Other Third-Party Possession and Access

The text citing In re C.J.C. was added.

27.23Jurisdiction

Under “Jurisdictional Conflict,” the text citing In re J.B. Hunt Transport was added.

Under “Standing,” the text citing In re Cisneros was added.

27.27Protection of Constitutional Rights

Under “Due-Process Right to Notice,” the text was revised and the citation to In re Office of Attorney General was added.

“Right to Trial by Jury” and “Right to Defend Oneself” were added.

27.29Refusal to Rule

The citation to In re Espinoza was added, and the text citing it was revised.

27.30Temporary Orders

The final paragraph was added.

Chapter 31Enforcement—Property

§ 31.10

In the fourth paragraph, the text citing Paradez was added.

§ 31.21

In the first paragraph, the text citing Wagner and Code § 9.007 was added.

§ 31.23

In the second paragraph, the text citing In re Denson was added.

Chapter 33Enforcement—Child Support

§ 33.1Filing Motion to Enforce

The third paragraph was added.

§ 33.10

The fifth paragraph and the comment following it were added.

§ 33.19

In the first paragraph under “Inability to Pay Child Support,” the citations to In re V.I.P.M., In re Garcia, and In re Washington were added.

§ 33.53

The second paragraph was added.

§ 33.63

In the first paragraph, the citation to Khaligh was added.

§ 33.86

The second paragraph was added.

Chapter 35Contempt

§ 35.18

The second paragraph was added.

§ 35.22

In the fifth paragraph, the citation to In re L.C.R. was added.

Chapter 40Original Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

§ 40.3Who May Bring Suit

The second paragraph was revised, and the third, fourth, and fifth paragraphs were added.

The final paragraph under “Standing for Other Nonparents” was added.

§ 40.4Citation

In the first paragraph under “Strict Compliance Required,” the text citing In re A.R.A.-G. and the text citing Marrot Communications was added.

§ 40.5Contents of Petition

The seventh paragraph was revised.

§ 40.8Venue

The third paragraph was added.

§ 40.9Trial before Associate Judge

The first sentence of the first paragraph was added.

§ 40.11

The text under “Parental Presumption” was revised.

The fifth paragraph under “Rights and Duties” was added.

§ 40.21

The text citing In re S.D.A. and the text citing Chacon was added.

Chapter 41Modification of Texas Orders

§ 41.2Standing

The fifth and sixth paragraphs were added.

§ 41.9:2Modification of Exclusive Right to Designate Primary Residence of Child within One Year

The first sentence of the first paragraph under “Temporary Orders” was revised to correct an error.

§ 41.9:4Presumptions in Modification Suits

The first four paragraphs were revised.

§ 41.9:5Material Change of Circumstances

The first comment under “Conviction for Family Violence” was revised.

§ 41.11

The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth paragraphs were revised.

§ 41.31

In the fourth paragraph, the text citing Bolda was added.

Chapter 42Transfer

§ 42.6Motion to Transfer—Filing and Hearing

Under “Response,” the text citing In re L.C.R. was added.

Chapter 43Interstate Proceedings

§ 43.1UCCJEA — Generally

The third paragraph was revised, and the fourth paragraph was added.

§ 43.9Modification of Custody Decree of Another State

The first paragraph was revised.

§ 43.10

The first sentence of the first paragraph, citing In re C.H., was added.

§ 43.11

In the first paragraph, the text citing In re C.H. was added.

§ 43.18

“Communications between Courts” was added.

Chapter 44Grandparents and Other Nonparents

§ 44.1General Standing to File Original Suit

In the sixth paragraph, the citation to In re Cisneros was added.

The eighth paragraph was added.

§ 44.3Managing Conservatorship

In the fifth paragraph, the text citing In re J.F. and In re G.E.T. was added.

In the sixth paragraph, the text citing In re S.D.A. was added.

§ 44.6Possession of or Access to Grandchild

In the fourth paragraph, the citation to In re C.J. was added.

The seventh paragraph was revised, including the addition of citations to In re A.E.M. and In re Turan.

§ 44.8Intervention in Suit Affecting Parent-Child Relationship

The fourth paragraph was added.

§ 44.9Suit for Modification

In the first paragraph, the citation to In re D.D.A. was added.

The second paragraph was added.

The third and fourth paragraphs were revised.

§ 44.12

The second paragraph was added.

§ 44.14

The paragraph was revised.

Chapter 50Termination

§ 50.3Indian Child Welfare Act

In the first paragraph, the link to the regulations was updated.

The fourth paragraph was revised, including the addition of the text citing In re S.J.H. and In re A.W.

The seventh paragraph was revised, including the addition of the text citing Holyfield and In re Navajo Nation.

§ 50.6Establishment of the Parent-Child Relationship

The second paragraph was added.

§ 50.7Paternity Registry

In the fourth paragraph, the text citing In re P. RJ.E., In re J.M., and In re E.R. was added.

§ 50.8Affidavit of Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights

In the fifth paragraph, the text citing In re A.R.M.K. was added.

In the sixth paragraph, the text citing Martin and Terrell was added.

§ 50.36

The discussion of broad-form submission in the third paragraph was revised to reflect the 2020 amendment of rule 277.

§ 50.42

In the second paragraph, the text citing In re D.S. was added.

The third paragraph was revised.

Chapter 51Adoption of Child

§ 51.3Interstate Jurisdiction Issues

In the third paragraph, the text citing In re C.H. was added.

§ 51.21

The first sentence was revised to include the burden of proof.

§ 51.25

The third paragraph was added.

Chapter 54Parentage

§ 54.3Presumption of Parentage

The fourth paragraph was added.

§ 54.15

In the first paragraph, the citation to In re K.B.D. was added.

In the fourth paragraph, the text citing In re E.Y.H. was added.

§ 54.16

In the first paragraph, the citation to Ugwu was added.

§ 54.20

In the third paragraph, the citation to In re L.A.V. was added.

§ 54.29

Under “Order Relating to Child,” the citation to In re A.L.J. was added.

Chapter 55International SAPCR Issues

§ 55.3Abduction Risk Factors

In the third paragraph, the citation to Gerges was added.

Chapter 61Miscellaneous Litigation

§ 61.1Bill of Review

The topic “Accident or Mistake” was added.

§ 61.4Change of Name of Child

In the fourth paragraph, the citation to In re A.L.J. was added.

§ 61.10

In the third paragraph, the text citing Wright was added.

§ 61.11

The text citing Lipper and the citation to Rossa were added.

Chapter 62Annulment and Suit to Declare Marriage Void

§ 62.15

Under “Underage,” the citation to Broussard was added.

Under “Mental Incompetency,” the citation to In re Marriage of Thrash was added.

Chapter 63Property Agreements

§ 63.11

Under “Partition or Exchange Agreements,” the citation to the Family Code and the text citing McBride were added.

§ 63.15

The second paragraph under “No Consideration” was revised.

Changes to Forms—April 2021

Chapter 3Divorce Pleadings

Form 3-1Original Petition for Divorce

In ¶ 1., the estate value in the bracketed sentence was changed to $250,000.

¶¶ 7.A., 7.B., and 7.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 5Discovery

Form 5-18[Petitioner/Respondent]’s Required Initial Disclosures

This form was added.

Form 5-19[Petitioner/Respondent]’s Required Testifying Expert Disclosures

This form was added.

Form 5-20[Petitioner/Respondent]’s Required Pretrial Disclosures

This form was added.

Form 5-23[Petitioner/Respondent]’s Request for Production and Inspection

In the paragraph entitled “Documents to Be Produced,” the last sentence was added.

Form 5-41[Petitioner/Respondent]’s Written Interrogatories to [Respondent/Petitioner]

In the paragraph entitled “Option to Produce Records,” the next-to-last sentence (beginning “If you have produced”) was added.

Chapter 6Information Gathering & Third-Party Notices

Form 6-36Written Authorization for Disclosure of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records under 42 C.F.R. Part 2

In the title and the second paragraph, “substance-abuse” was changed to “substance use disorder.”

Chapter 7Inventory & Appraisement

Form 7-1Inventory and Appraisement of [name of party]

In ¶ 13., the parenthetical instruction was revised.

In ¶ 26., the title was revised.

In ¶¶ 35. and 36., in the parenthetical example after “Name and title of fiduciary,” the word “trustee” was deleted.

Form 7-2Instructions for Preparation of Marital Property Inventory Worksheet

Under “Definitions,” items 1. and 3. were revised, item 4. was added, and item 5. was renumbered.

Under “Reimbursement,” the second paragraph was revised.

Form 7-3Marital Property Inventory Worksheet

Under “13. Money Owed to Me or My Spouse,” the parenthetical instruction was revised.

Chapter 8Ancillary Motions & Proceedings

Form 8-18Motion for Alternative Service [Rule 106]

This form was revised to reflect the amendments to rule 106 effective 1/1/21.

Form 8-19Statement of Attempted Personal Service

This form was revised to reflect the amendments to rule 106 effective 1/1/21.

Form 8-20Statement in Support of Method of Alternative Service [Rule 106]

This form was revised to reflect the amendments to rule 106 effective 1/1/21.

Form 8-21Order on Motion for Alternative Service [Rule 106]

This form was revised to reflect the amendments to rule 106 effective 1/1/21.

Chapter 15Collaborative Law

Form 15-12Collaborative Law Settlement Agreement

¶¶ 2. and 9. were revised.

¶ 10. was added, and subsequent paragraphs were renumbered.

The text of ¶ 14. was added.

In ¶ 18., “or performance” was added in the first paragraph, and the second paragraph was added.

¶ 19. was added.

¶ 21. was revised.

Chapter 16Parenting Plans, Parenting Coordinators, and Parenting Facilitators

Form 16-2Checklist of Other Possible Parenting Plan Provisions

Under “Special Circumstances,” in the title and the third check-box, “Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse” was changed to “Alcohol Abuse and/or Substance Abuse Disorder.”

Chapter 18Alternative Dispute Resolution & Informal Settlement

Form 18-17Mediated Settlement Agreement

In ¶ 9., in the first paragraph, the word “first” was added in the last sentence.

In ¶ 10., the first paragraph was revised and the second paragraph was added.

In ¶ 14., in the first paragraph, the last sentence was revised.

In ¶ 18., in the second paragraph, the first sentence was revised.

¶ 21. was revised.

Form 18-51Informal Settlement Agreement

In ¶ 9., in the first paragraph, the word “first” was added in the last sentence.

In ¶ 10., the first paragraph was revised and the second paragraph was added.

In ¶ 13., in the first paragraph, the last sentence was revised.

In ¶ 17., in the second paragraph, the first sentence was revised.

¶ 20. was revised.

Chapter 23Divorce—Decrees and Agreements Incident to Divorce

Form 23-1Final Decree of Divorce

In ¶ 10.G.15., in the seventh paragraph (beginning “Within thirty days”), in the first sentence, the alternative for sending by text message was added.

In ¶ 11.K.3.b.(4), the second paragraph was revised.

Form 23-6Agreement Incident to Divorce

In ¶ 2.M.3.b.(4), the second paragraph was revised.

In ¶. 2.N., the title of paragraph 2.14 was revised.

Articles 4 (spousal maintenance) and 5 (alimony) were added, and subsequent articles and paragraph titles were renumbered.

Form 23-10Affidavit to Prove Up Agreed Final Decree of Divorce

This form was added.

Form 23-11Declaration to Prove Up Agreed Final Decree of Divorce

This form was added.

Chapter 26Posttrial Proceedings & Appeals

Form 26-7Motion for Temporary Orders Pending Appeal

In the paragraph numbered 3., item k. was corrected.

Chapter 31Enforcement—Property

Form 31-1Petition for Clarification of Property Division

In the paragraph numbered 5., “[its/the] order” was changed to “its order.”

Chapter 40Original Suit Affecting Parent-Child Relationship

Form 40-1Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

¶¶ 10.A., 10.B., and 10.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

In ¶ 13.A., the second sentence was added.

Chapter 41Modification of Texas Orders

Form 41-1Petition to Modify Parent-Child Relationship

¶¶ 10.A., 10.B., and 10.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 43Interstate Proceedings

Form 43-1Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship Seeking Modification of Out-of-State Order

¶¶ 10.A., 10.B., and 10.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 44Grandparents & Other Nonparents

Form 44-1Petition in Intervention in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

¶¶ 10.A., 10.B., and 10.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 44-2Original Petition for Grandparent Possession or Access

¶¶ 11.A., 11.B., and 11.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 44-5Original Petition for Sibling Access

¶¶ 11.A., 11.B., and 11.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 44-7Petition to Modify for Sibling Access

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 45Military Duty of Conservator

Form 45-1Petition to Modify Parent-Child Relationship Based on Military Duty

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 45-9Petition for Additional Periods of Possession and Access

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 50Termination

Form 50-1Original Petition to Terminate Parent-Child Relationship

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 50-2Order of Termination

¶ 7.B.7. was revised.

In ¶ 10., in both paragraphs the words “by clear and convincing evidence” were deleted.

In ¶ 11., the words “by clear and convincing evidence” were deleted.

Former ¶ 12. (“Certificate of Paternity Registry Search”) was deleted and subsequent paragraphs were renumbered.

Form 50-3Original Petition to Terminate Parent-Child Relationship [Nongenetic Father]

¶¶ 8.A., 8.B., and 8.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 51Adoption of Child

Form 51-1Original Petition for Adoption of [a] Child[ren]

¶¶ 8.A., 8.B., and 8.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 51-2Order Granting Adoption

In ¶ 14., the words “by a preponderance of the evidence” were added.

Chapter 52Combined Termination & Adoption of Stepchild

Form 52-1Original Petition for Termination and Adoption of Stepchild[ren]

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 52-2Order Terminating Parental Rights and Granting Adoption of Stepchild[ren]

¶ 7.B.7. was revised.

In ¶ 8., in both paragraphs the words “by clear and convincing evidence” were deleted.

Former ¶ 16. (“Certificate of Paternity Registry Search”) was deleted and subsequent paragraphs were renumbered.

In ¶ 18., the words “by a preponderance of the evidence” were added.

Chapter 53Ancillary Forms for Termination and Adoption

Form 53-34Mail Application for Birth Record

This form (PDF only) was added.

 Chapter 54    Parentage

Form 54-1Petition to Adjudicate Parentage

¶¶ 10.A., 10.B., and 10.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 55International SAPCR Issues

Form 55-1Original Petition in Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship Seeking Prevention of International Parental Child Abduction

¶¶ 9.A., 9.B., and 9.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 56Miscellaneous SAPCR and Other Child-Related Forms

Form 56-16Additional Provisions for Religious Holidays

In ¶¶ 1.H.1. and 1.H.2., “next day” was changed to “following day.”

In ¶¶ 5.A. and 5.B., the option of specifying a time other than 6:00 p.m. was added.

Chapter 62Annulment & Suit to Declare Marriage Void

Form 62-1Parent’s Original Petition to Annul Underage Marriage

¶¶ 6.A., 6.B., and 6.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 62-2Original Petition to Annul Marriage

¶¶ 6.A., 6.B., and 6.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Form 62-6Original Petition to Declare Marriage Void

¶¶ 6.A., 6.B., and 6.C. were revised to delete the optional reference to chapter 7A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Chapter 63Property Agreements

Form 63-9Separation Agreement

In the paragraph entitled “3.5 Health [and Dental] Insurance,” in the second paragraph, “medical” was changed to “health” in the first sentence.