Rule 621a.Discovery and Enforcement of Judgment
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 621a lets a judgment creditor conduct post-judgment discovery to aid enforcement of a judgment, at any time after rendition, so long as the judgment has not been superseded or become dormant.
Full Text of Rule 621a
At any time after rendition of judgment, and so long as said judgment has not been suspended by a supersedeas bond or by order of a proper court and has not become dormant as provided by Section 34.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the successful party may, for the purpose of obtaining information to aid in the enforcement of such judgment, initiate and maintain in the trial court in the same suit in which said judgment was rendered any discovery proceeding authorized by these rules for pre-trial matters. Also, at any time after rendition of judgment, either party may, for the purpose of obtaining information relevant to motions allowed by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 24 initiate and maintain in the trial court in the same suit in which said judgment was rendered any discovery proceeding authorized by these rules for pre-trial matters. The rules governing and related to such pre-trial discovery proceedings shall apply in like manner to discovery proceedings after judgment. The rights herein granted to the parties shall inure to their successors or assignees, in whole or in part. Judicial supervision of such discovery proceedings after judgment shall be the same as that provided by law or these rules for pre-trial discovery and proceedings insofar as applicable.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 621a opens discovery in aid of collection. At any time after a judgment is rendered, and so long as the judgment has not been suspended by a supersedeas bond or by court order and has not become dormant, the judgment creditor may use the discovery tools to aid in enforcing the judgment — to locate the debtor's assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do discovery to collect a judgment in Texas?
Yes. Rule 621a allows post-judgment discovery to aid enforcement, as long as the judgment has not been superseded or become dormant.
When does post-judgment discovery under Rule 621a stop being available?
Once the judgment is superseded by a bond or court order, or once it goes dormant.
Do the pre-trial discovery rules carry over to post-judgment discovery?
Yes. Rule 621a applies the same discovery rules and judicial supervision used before trial to discovery conducted after judgment.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 621a), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: post-judgment discoverydiscovery in aid of enforcementdiscovery and enforcement of judgmentTRCP 621a