If you file for divorce or a custody case in Guadalupe County, or you're served with one, a set of rules starts applying to both parties right away. It's called the Guadalupe County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property, and Conduct of the Parties. Nobody has to ask for it: it applies in every divorce and every suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed in the county, including modification and paternity cases, except cases filed by a state agency.
Read the official order: Guadalupe County Standing Order (PDF). The summary below is our plain-English overview. The order itself controls.
How it works
- The person who files attaches the standing order to the petition, and the clerk attaches it if they forget. The respondent gets it with the papers.
- It takes effect when the case is filed. It works like a temporary restraining order for 14 days, and if nobody challenges it at a hearing, it continues as a temporary injunction until the court enters other orders or the case ends.
- If any part of it conflicts with a protective order, the protective order controls.
Rules about the children
Unless both parents agree in writing or the court orders otherwise, neither parent may:
- Remove the children from Texas
- Withdraw the children from school or daycare
- Hide the children from the other parent
- Change where the children live
- Disturb the children's peace
Rules about how the parties treat each other
The order bars obscene, vulgar or threatening communications, calls at unreasonable hours, anonymous or repeated harassing calls, and opening or diverting the other party's mail.
Rules about money and property (divorce cases)
Among other things, neither spouse may:
- Destroy, hide, sell, transfer or borrow against community property
- Run up new debt, other than reasonable legal expenses
- Withdraw money from bank accounts except for allowed purposes
- Withdraw from or borrow against retirement accounts
- Sign the other spouse's name on checks or refunds
- Cancel the other spouse's credit cards or interfere with their vehicle
- Reduce federal income tax withholding
- Cut off utilities or services at the other spouse's home
- Hide, destroy or alter financial, business or family records, including electronic data
- Borrow against life insurance, change beneficiaries, or cancel auto, home or health insurance covering the family
What you're still allowed to do
The order allows ordinary business activity, reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs, and reasonable living expenses for food, clothing, shelter, transportation and medical care. Keep receipts. If you need to do something the order prohibits, like selling a car or moving, get a written agreement or a court order first.
Other Guadalupe County rules to know
- Parenting class: under the local rules, if your divorce involves children, a certificate showing completion of a 4-hour parenting class must be filed before the court will finalize it.
- Mediation: family cases aren't set for final trial until the parties have attempted mediation or the court waives it. See mediation in a Guadalupe County divorce.
- Before temporary orders hearings: each party brings a financial information sheet, recent paystubs and tax returns when support is at issue, and a proposed parenting plan when custody is at issue.
- Home study: in contested custody cases, the local rules require a home study unless the court waives it.
Read the official local rules and standing orders. More: temporary orders · what to do if you've been served.
FAQ
Does the standing order apply to me if I didn't file?
Yes. It applies to both parties once the case is filed, and you'll receive a copy with the petition.
Can I still pay my bills and buy groceries?
Yes. Reasonable living expenses and ordinary business expenses are allowed. What's prohibited is hiding, wasting or moving assets and running up unusual debt.
What happens if my spouse violates the standing order?
A violation can be enforced through contempt, and the judge can take it into account when dividing property or deciding custody. Talk to a lawyer and keep records of what happened.
Can we agree to do something the order prohibits?
Many provisions allow exceptions by written agreement of both parties. Put it in writing and, for anything significant, have it approved by the court.
Summary based on the standing order posted on the Guadalupe County website, checked November 2026. The official order controls.