Civil

Honorable Tyra McCollum, Judge

The Court does not accept filings.

All instruments must be filed through the County Clerk’s Office, all civil matters must be mediated prior to a trial request being made. All trial requests must be in writing to the Court by email Amarantha.RichardsCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov and must state the date the case was mediated. It is the responsibility of the party filing a motion to request a hearing date by email Amarantha.RichardsCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov. Judge McCollum requires an oral hearing on all motions for default judgments and motion for summary judgments.

  • Civil motions are heard on designated Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:30 PM
Probate

Please note that Court staff can inform you about the services of the Court and answer questions about Court policy; however, Court staff cannot provide legal advice or answer legal questions. If you need legal research or legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Setting Probate Hearings:

Uncontested probate matters are heard on designated Monday afternoons at 1:30 PM in-person. Email Ms. Norma Limon Norma.LimonCCl2@fortbendcountytx.gov to request hearing dates. Contested matters will also be set by email request.

Important Probate Information:

Court’s policy regarding Pro Se Applicants [PDF]

Personal Representative General Information Sheet

A Personal Representative General Information Sheet needs to be completed for all persons that are appointed in a fiduciary role (Executor, Administrator, Guardian). If multiple persons are appointed in a case, a form needs to be completed for each individual.

Please return all completed Personal Representative General Information Sheets [PDF] directly to the Court, by emailing the Probate Auditor at Norma.LimonCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov

Docket Settings

Proposed Orders and/or Judgments

It is the Court’s policy to review – prior to the hearing date – all documents. Proposed Orders and Judgments must be received no later than 10:00 A.M. on the Monday the week before the scheduled hearing. By reviewing the documents before the hearing, the Court can ensure that hearings run smoothly and efficiently for participants.

  • PLEASE E-FILE ALL DOCUMENTS WITH THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO YOUR HEARING DATE. DO NOT EMAIL PROPOSED ORDERS AND/OR JUDGMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE COURT, UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO.
  • Testimony via Deposition on Written Questions/Posted Notice Requirement: Applicants wishing to submit testimony via Deposition on Written Questions must meet TEC 51.203 requirements, including first posting citation. Deposition response(s) must be filed at least one week prior to the docket.

Small Estate Affidavits

Requirements for Court consideration of Small Estate Affidavits:

Muniment Of Title Proceedings

  1. Medicaid Estate Recovery Program: See the Court’s policy on Muniments of Title and Medicaid Benefits [PDF]
  2. Probating a Will more than Four Years after the Death of the Testator requirements:

Independent Administrations – Wills

Important Information

  • Exact names and aliases: The Court requires all pleadings to reference the names of all persons including the Decedent and the Executor(s), as they appear in the Will, even if the person is now known by another name. The referenced name can be followed by the “now known as” name – or any other a/k/a or f/k/a name.
  • Alternate Executor: If anyone other than the first-named Executor in the Will is being appointed, include the name of the first-named Executor and the reason why he or she cannot serve. This information needs to be included in the Application and in the proposed Order.
  • Probating Codicils: Reference “Codicil” in the title of all document(s) as well as throughout the document(s).
  • Probating a Will that is not Self-Proved and/or a Holographic Will:
    • All necessary witnesses are required to be present in Court to provide testimony.
    • All witness testimony shall be reduced to writing, and may be provided via affidavit prior to or post-hearing.
  • Probating a Copy of a Will or Codicil, or a Lost Will or Codicil:

Dependent Administrations

The Court will require a Dependent Administration if a Decedent dies intestate and any heirs are minors, unless extraordinary circumstances are brought to the Court’s attention.

Heirship Proceedings

  • Proposed Judgments for heirship proceedings must comply with the intestate distribution laws. Even if the Applicant indicates the estate consists of only community property, the Judgment must address distribution of separate property. The court will not make a finding as to the character of the property.
  • Two disinterested witnesses are required to prove up heirship.
  • An Affidavit of Service of Citation pursuant to TEC 202.057 must be e-filed at least one week prior to the scheduled hearing date.
  • See Texas Descent and Distribution Chart [PDF]

Guardianship Proceedings

  • Under TEC 1054.201, all attorneys wishing to serve as an attorney ad litem and all attorneys filing a guardianship application must (i) complete the four-hour certification course, or (ii) complete the one-hour addendum course to supplement the previously required three-hour certification course.
  • All applicant attorneys filing a guardianship proceeding must e-file a copy of this certification along with the application.

Guardianship Forms

Guardian's Report On The Condition And Well-Being Of A Ward [PDF]

Health Care Providers Certificate of Medical Examination [PDF]

Representative Payee Report [PDF]

 

Court Information
Veteran's Court Program

Veteran's Court Program

Men and women who serve in our military branches pay a cost to protect our freedoms that often continues long after their service ends. The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program (FBCVCP) provides these service personnel the opportunity to successfully reintegrate into their Fort Bend community after facing legal entanglements in the criminal justice system.

Overview

The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program provides judicially supervised treatment options for veterans currently facing prosecution for one or more criminal offenses. The program focuses on transferring veterans from the traditional criminal justice process and providing them with rehabilitative and reformative options. To enter the program, the veteran must been screened, assessed, and approved. Once that process is complete, the veteran will begin the treatment program tailored to his/her needs.

Mission

The mission of the Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program is to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and provide them with the tools they need to lead a productive and law-abiding lifestyle while improving mental health recovery and successful re-entry into the community.

Goals

The program's goals are to identify eligible veterans, assess their needs, offer assistance, manage their care, and provide them with successful treatment options which support community reintegration and resolution of their criminal case(s).

Eligibility Criteria

  • Veteran or current member of the United States Armed Forces, including a member of the Reserves, National Guard, or State Guard
  • Honorable or General Discharge, active duty or reserves
  • Have pending eligible offense
  • Be a legal resident of/or citizen of the United States
  • Be a resident of Fort Bend County or surrounding counties
  • Suffers from a brain injury, mental illness, or mental health disorder, or was a victim of military sexual trauma that:
    • Occurred during or resulted from military service; and
    • Affected the criminal conduct at issue
  • Be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) services
  • If participation, considering the circumstances, personal and social background, and criminal history is likely to achieve the Veteran’s rehabilitation and ensures public safety
  • State (District Attorney’s Office) consents to participation in the program

Exclusions

  • A pending case for sexual assault, drug delivery or Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42.12 Sec.3(g) offense, except for aggravated assault
  • A prior conviction or deferred adjudication for sexual assault or a Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42.12 Sec.3(g) offense, except for aggravated assault
  • The person is seriously and persistently mentally ill and cannot participate
  • Previous termination or graduation from a Veterans Court Program
  • Dishonorable Discharge from the United States Armed Forces

Referrals

The Honorable Judge Tyra Jones McCollum presides over the Veterans Court for both felony and misdemeanor offenses. Referrals to FBCVCP may be accepted from a variety of sources, including law enforcement, jail staff, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, mental health professionals, and family or friends.


Those admitted to the court will receive pre-trial intervention, deferred adjudication, or community supervision disposition of their case. Veterans Court is a three-phase program. Each phase requires successful completion. The length of the program may be up to 24 months. The Fort Bend County Veterans Court Program will consist of a court docket that meets monthly.
The Veterans Court team is comprised of the judge, prosecutor(s), defense attorneys, a community supervision officer, case managers, and representatives from the Veterans Administration Medical Center. A unique feature of the Veterans Court team is the MEDVAMC Jail Diversion Team that includes a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Coordinator/Court Liaison and a Forensic Psychiatrist.


The Jail Diversion Team will provide thorough evaluations which assess psychiatric, psychosocial, and substance abuse service needs. The FBCVC team links Veterans to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation services. The VJO Coordinator will coordinate and monitor treatment adherence while the psychiatrist will address psychiatric treatment needs. Together this treatment team will provide progress reports for the Veterans Court Team.

Program Cost

There is no fee to participate in the FBCVCP. However, the Veteran may be responsible for some costs of treatment services including, but not limited to drug urinalysis, substance use monitoring services, inpatient/outpatient treatment, counseling, etc. As many costs as possible are reduced or subsidized.

Protocol

The Fort Bend County Veterans Court consists of three (3) phases totaling between six (6) and twenty-four (24) months. In addition to the phase requirements, the Presiding Judge reserves the right to set specific individual goals that must be accomplished between court appearances. The Veterans Court Community Supervision Officer will review all goals prior to all court appearances and make recommendations based on completion and success. The Veteran’s movement from phase to phase individually depends on time, successful completion of each phase's requirements, and team recommendations.

Phases

Phase One - up to 6 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer for 3 face-to-face contacts per month, with 1 of the 3 contacts being in the field at the veteran's home or other location
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Phase Two - up to 6 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer up to two (2) face-to-face contacts per month, with field visits as needed
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Phase Three - up to 12 months

  • Meet with the community supervision officer once per month
  • Progress review before the judge once per month
  • Report to counselors and treatment providers per the individualized treatment plan

Sanctions and Incentives

Failure to comply with treatment recommendations, Veterans Court program regulations, or the commission of a new offense may result in sanctions. Program infractions and sanctions can include, but are not limited to:

Infractions

  • Missed treatment appointments
  • Missed probation appointments
  • Missed court appearances
  • Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Refusal to provide urine screens
  • Positive urine screens
  • Failure or refusal to take prescribed medications
  • Violation of rules of the treatment program
  • Violation of rules of housing provider, including curfew
  • Threatening behavior, including verbal threat of violence
  • Other non-compliance with treatment recommendations
  • Violation of probation terms and conditions

Sanctions

  • Assign to write an essay
  • Verbal warning/admonishment
  • Increased frequency of drug testing
  • Increased frequency of court appearances
  • Increased frequency of probation and/or Pre-trial reporting
  • Increased support group meetings
  • Loss of privileges at residential treatment facilities
  • Serving time in jail
  • Imposition of a curfew
  • Community service increase
  • More restrictive Pre-Trial services program
  • Restart of the current phase
  • Removal from the program

Incentives

Incentives may be awarded by the Presiding Judge for compliance with the established treatment plan, the rules of the Veterans Court Program, the rules of the Fort Bend CSCD, and all other conditions or requirements associated with participation in the program. Incentives can include, but are not limited to:

  • Praise, acclaim or recognition from the Judge
  • Gift cards or gift certificates
  • Decreased visits with Community Supervision Officer
  • Decreased participation in self-help meetings, such as AA or NA
  • Decreased treatment requirements
  • Forgiveness of additional community service hours
  • Reduction or suspension of unpaid fines
  • Phase advancement
  • Recognition certificate and token at a graduation ceremony
  • Graduation celebration

Veterans Court mandates following a treatment plan, which will include some or all the following components (treatment recommendations may change as individual treatment needs change).

  • Abstinence from illegal drugs and alcohol
  • Medication compliance
  • Participation in a substance abuse treatment program
  • Participation in a behavioral health treatment program
  • Participation in a self-help group or program
  • Intensive or Supportive case management services
  • Supported residential housing
  • Education services
  • Employment or vocational rehabilitation
  • Regular appointments with a VA case manager and/or VJO
  • Regular appointments with a psychiatrist or mental health provider
  • Psychosocial or recreational program

Handbook

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Staff | County Court at Law 2
CCL2 Staff

Mandy Richards, Court Coordinator

Telephone: 281-341-4446
Email: Amarantha.RichardsCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov

Mandy Richards is responsible for ensuring that the Court functions  effectively and efficiently in all administrative matters. She maintains the Court’s dockets and answers general inquiries concerning cases filed in County Court at Law No. 2. She is pleased to provide you with assistance in getting your matters timely addressed by the Court.

Norma Limon, Probate Auditor

Telephone: (281)-341-4443
Email: Norma.LimonCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov

Norma Limon is the point of contact for all Probate/Guardianship cases filed in County Court at Law No. 2. She is responsible for reviewing and auditing probate proceedings. She also sets hearings pertaining to decedents’ estates and guardianship matters. She is pleased to support you with the procedures associated with these proceedings.

Sherri Johnson, Court Reporter

Telephone: 281-341-4411
Email: Sherri.JohnsonCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov

Sherri Johnson is the Official Court Reporter for County Court at Law No. 2. She is responsible for providing a complete and accurate record of all court proceedings. Requests for transcripts should be emailed to Ms. Johnson by identifying the Syle (name) of the case and the Cause Number. She is pleased to provide you with assistance.

Candice Smith, Administrative Assistant

Telephone: 832-471-2820
Email: Candice.SmithCCL2@fortbendcountytx.gov

Candice Smith is responsible for assisting and supporting the Court Coordinator and Probate Auditor in all administrative matters.

Johnny Martinez, Bailiff

Telephone: 281-341-4448

Deputy Martinez is responsible for providing courtroom security and security to the Judge and her staff with the highest manner of professionalism. He is pleased to support the safety of all litigants and participants in the courtroom.

 

 

 

County Court at Law 2

Honorable Tyra McCollum, Judge

Judge Tyra McCollum

The Honorable Tyra Jones McCollum was elected as the Presiding Judge for Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 2 in November 2022. Judge McCollum is committed to knowledgeable and fair interpretation of the law along with balancing community safety and equitable justice for every person who appears in the Court. It is her honor and privilege to be entrusted by the community with the responsibilities of the Court and Fort Bend County.

Judge McCollum is a proud graduate of The University of Texas and University of Houston Law Center. Early in her career she was appointed as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tyler, Texas.  A native of Missouri City and Willowridge High School graduate, she moved back home to Fort Bend County in 1997. She began working at the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office where she served as the Chief of the Juvenile Division for 19 years and handled prosecution of major violent crimes. Judge McCollum currently teaches Trial Advocacy as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, and previously taught as an Adjunct Professor in the Government Department at Houston Christian University. In December 2023 Judge McCollum was jointly appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas and Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas to serve on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health for the state.

Community engagement is a priority for Judge McCollum. She serves on the Community Advisory Board for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and on the Board of Directors for the Exchange Club of Fort Bend. She is also a dedicated Associate member of the philanthropic organization Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and service organization Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and the Links, Incorporated.

Judge McCollum has been married for 28 years and enjoys parenting their three children and beagle Wrigley. Judge McCollum is honored to use her education, background, and experience to provide a courtroom environment that is authentically built on preserving the integrity of litigants and protecting the rights of citizens who appear in her court.

Office Address

Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Courtroom 2B
Richmond, TX 77469

Mailing Address

County Court at Law No. 2
301 Jackson Street
Richmond, TX 77469

Telephone

(281) 341-4446 (Criminal, Civil, Juvenile)

(281) 341-4443 (Probate, Civil Commitments)

County Courts at Law

Mission

The mission of the County Courts at Law is to administer justice for misdemeanor criminal cases, civil actions, juvenile matters, probate cases, guardianships and civil mental health cases.

Administrative Clerk II
Bailiff
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