<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
This module explains the research you should do in every potential new case between the time of the PNC intake telephone call and the first meeting with an attorney in your office. Other modules will explain specific additional research that should be done in specific types of cases.

Pre-consultation research

People like to hire professionals who care about their cases and who are obviously prepared. Prior to the initial consultation, you will want to learn as much as you quickly can. You do not want to spend hours researching a case you may never get. At the same time, you have to invest more than zero prior to the consultation. The good news is that most of these questions can be answered through the District Clerk's web site in most populous counties.

Court posture mindmap

Mindmap outline of pre-consultation research topics.
Mindmap illustration of topics to research prior to consultation meeting.

The filing

You will want to know as much as you can about the status of any pleadings that have been filed.

  • Get a copy of the pleadings and note what is being claimed and start thinking through possible defenses.
  • Pay close attention to the status of service. Just because someone is in possession of pleadings does not mean that he or she has been properly served in compliance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. If the respondent has been served, has he or she filed an answer? What is the answer date See , Rules 15 and 99 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure ?
  • You will also want to know if any intervenors or necessary parties have been brought into the litigation and served. For example, if the OAG has been involved in modifying or enforcing child support at any time in this case, then the OAG is a necessary party to any future proceedings involving child support and therefore must be served. In some districts, e.g. Dallas County, there is a Domestic Relations Office ( DRO    ) that stands in the place of the the OAG in enforcement matters.
  • You will also want to know who filed the lawsuit, if it has already been filed, and whether the filing fees have been paid.

Again, the District Clerk's registry of actions can answer most of these questions. If the District Clerk's office does not have an on-line registry of actions, then you will need to narrow your issues and call the District Clerk's office and ask one of the deputy clerks for information about the case.

Pending hearings

It is critical that you know about any pending hearings. This is one question that you should answer before the consultation meeting. If you cannot find out whether there are any pending hearings from the District Clerk's web site, you must call the District Clerk to find out.

  • Has proper notice of the hearing been given? In general you are entitled to 60 days' notice prior to a DWOP    setting Dismissal for want of prosecution is authorized by rule 165a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. [***CITE FOR NOTICE***] , 45 days' notice prior to the initial trial setting Rule 245 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure , 21 days' notice prior to a hearing or ruling on a motion for summary judgment Rule 166a(c) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure , 10 days' notice prior to a hearing on a motion to enforce child support Section 157.062(c) of the Texas Family Code , and 3 days' notice prior to most other hearings Rule 21(b) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. .
  • If there are pending hearings, you need to determine whether you have enough time to prepare and whether your calendar will permit you to attend the hearing.
  • Finally, if you can easily make the determination, try to see whether all other parties have been noticed on any pending hearing.

Questions & Answers

what is phylogeny
Odigie Reply
evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group of organisms
AI-Robot
ok
Deng
what is biology
Hajah Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
AI-Robot
what is biology
Victoria Reply
HOW CAN MAN ORGAN FUNCTION
Alfred Reply
the diagram of the digestive system
Assiatu Reply
allimentary cannel
Ogenrwot
How does twins formed
William Reply
They formed in two ways first when one sperm and one egg are splited by mitosis or two sperm and two eggs join together
Oluwatobi
what is genetics
Josephine Reply
Genetics is the study of heredity
Misack
how does twins formed?
Misack
What is manual
Hassan Reply
discuss biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles
Joseph Reply
what is biology
Yousuf Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environment.
Wine
discuss the biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles in an essay form
Joseph Reply
what is the blood cells
Shaker Reply
list any five characteristics of the blood cells
Shaker
lack electricity and its more savely than electronic microscope because its naturally by using of light
Abdullahi Reply
advantage of electronic microscope is easily and clearly while disadvantage is dangerous because its electronic. advantage of light microscope is savely and naturally by sun while disadvantage is not easily,means its not sharp and not clear
Abdullahi
cell theory state that every organisms composed of one or more cell,cell is the basic unit of life
Abdullahi
is like gone fail us
DENG
cells is the basic structure and functions of all living things
Ramadan
What is classification
ISCONT Reply
is organisms that are similar into groups called tara
Yamosa
in what situation (s) would be the use of a scanning electron microscope be ideal and why?
Kenna Reply
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is ideal for situations requiring high-resolution imaging of surfaces. It is commonly used in materials science, biology, and geology to examine the topography and composition of samples at a nanoscale level. SEM is particularly useful for studying fine details,
Hilary
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Handling texas child support enforcement cases. OpenStax CNX. Jul 20, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11847/1.2
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Handling texas child support enforcement cases' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask