257th Judicial District Court of Harris County Texas is located at 201 Caroline, 16th Floor Houston, Texas 77002 as of June 2, 2014. Judge Sandra Peake is the Presiding Judge and Judge Angelina Gooden is her associate. You can find information about your case from the district clerk here. You can find contact information and rules of practice for the court on the court’s website here. This court hears divorce cases and other family law matters to include child protective services cases (CPS cases), contempt actions, suit affecting the parenting child relationship, and adoptions in Houston, Texas. Judge Peake was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Judge Angelina Gooden was the former elected Judge for the 280th Family Violence Court prior to becoming the associate Judge to the 257th I knew Judge Peake in private practice as both a family law and bankruptcy attorney. Judge Peake’s husband is one of the local chapter 13 trustees for the Southern District of Texas, Bankruptcy Courts for which I practiced. Judge Peake likes to hear her dockets via zoom. On an occasion you may try the case in person, but if everyone consents, you can zoom your trial.
Appearing before the Court
Uncontested divorces can be proved up via sworn affidavit or on the express docket via zoom from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Docket call is at 9 a.m. with order entries on Fridays. Mediation is required before final trial and also before a temporary orders hearing regarding child custody. The logistics of the court in the management of its docket are efficient. Cases are brought to trial in 8 months if a bench trial. Trials before a jury take longer. Fridays are order entry days in the 257th Judicial District. The Court Coordinator for this court worked for the 247th Family Law District Court for several years
I would suggest to contact the Coordinator for a preferential settings where your hearing will take more than 30 minutes. The Court is rather flexible and, if requested in a timely manner, Temporary order hearings and final trials can be set according to preferences. If there is the need of motions for continuance, these should be placed 10 days prior to the final trial. If one shows at the Court on the day of the final trial and expresses the wish of having a motion for continuance, this might be rejected.
About the Author
Michael Busby Jr. is a divorce attorney in Houston, Texas who appears in court at least 3 times a week. He has 20 years experience in the Houston, Texas family law courts. Call me for your questions on the 257th Judicial Court Of Harris County Texas Divorce Court. 257th Judicial District Court of Harris County Texas is written by Michael Busby Jr. Houston divorce attorney.
Michael Busby Jr.
6100 Corporate Dr. # 190
Houston, Texas 77036
(713) 974-1151
281-DIVORCE
Vist me on the web at www.busby-lee.com
