Why Bexar County’s Presiding Court System Matters in Your Family Law Case

If you’re going through a divorce, custody battle, or any family law matter in Bexar County, it’s important to understand how the local court system works. Bexar County doesn’t handle family law cases the way many other Texas counties do—and knowing how the system operates can affect how quickly your case moves forward and how it’s handled in court.

Let’s break it down in plain terms.

What Makes Bexar County’s Family Courts Different?

In many counties, your case is assigned to one judge who stays with it from start to finish. In Bexar County, however, family law cases are managed through something called the Presiding Court system. This means you won’t have a “permanent” judge. Instead, the presiding judges rotate in and out each month, and your hearings can be assigned to any available judge.

This setup is meant to help reduce delays and move cases more efficiently—but it can also be confusing if you or your attorney aren’t familiar with the process.

What Is Presiding Court?

Presiding Court is where most family law hearings begin. Each day, a rotating Presiding Judge reviews the docket and either:

• Hears simple matters themselves (like uncontested cases), or

• Assigns your case to a judge who is available that day

So, if you’re going in for a temporary orders hearing, a motion to enforce, or a status conference, it will usually start in Presiding Court. You’ll likely find out which judge will hear your case that same morning—not weeks in advance.

That’s why it’s important to work with attorneys who are flexible, prepared, and familiar with all 14 civil district courts.

What Is Monitoring Court?

For family law jury cases and certain motions, you’ll need to go through Monitoring Court, which is another unique feature of Bexar County. It’s where judges manage pre-trial motions and case progress to help move cases toward resolution.

For example:

• If you need to compel the other side to attend mediation, that motion must be heard in Monitoring Court, not in Presiding Court.

• Requests for a jury trial setting or changes to trial dates also go through Monitoring.

Monitoring Court also rotates judges, so the judge assigned can change each time. If your lawyer isn’t familiar with these rules, it could delay your case or get your motion reset.

Why This Matters for Your Family Case

Whether you’re fighting for custody, dividing property, or trying to reach a peaceful divorce agreement, how and where your case is heard can impact the outcome.

At Sims & Purzer, we don’t just know family law—we know how it’s practiced in Bexar County.

That means:

• We know the judges and their preferences.

• We know how to set your hearings in the right court.

• We monitor deadlines closely so nothing gets missed.

• We show up early and fully prepared—every time.

If your attorney isn’t used to working in Bexar County, you may find yourself rescheduled or delayed simply because the proper procedures weren’t followed. That’s the last thing you need when your family’s future is on the line.

Get Help From a Legal Team That Knows the Local System

Family law cases are hard enough without the added stress of navigating a confusing court process. That’s why it’s so important to work with a team that not only knows the law—but knows how to move your case forward in this specific system.

At Sims & Purzer Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we’ve handled hundreds of family law cases in Bexar County. From mediation to trial, we guide our clients through every step, making sure no detail gets lost and no deadline gets missed.

Ready to move forward with confidence? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help with your divorce, custody, or other family law matter.