Kim Cooks

On January 20, 2021, the Sixth Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling from Kim Cooks's court denying Remcey Chaney's claim for unpaid child support against Steven Chaney, who had received compensation for wrongful imprisonment. The trial evidence showed that the arrears had been paid. The appeals court also upheld a $5,000 attorney-fee award because the appeal did not meaningfully challenge the ruling. Further review was denied on June 4, 2021.

January 20, 2021

Source: cases.justia.com

On October 24, 2019, Judge Kim Cooks kept both parents sharing legal authority in the Younger custody case. Her signed ruling required agreement on medical and psychological treatment, with a parenting coordinator deciding unresolved disputes. It restricted both parents’ public discussions of the children’s gender issues to protect the children. No request for surgery or chemical treatment was before the court.

October 24, 2019

Source: lifesitenews.com

Kim Cooks won reelection to Dallas County's 255th District Court in the November 6, 2018 general election without an opponent. The county's final summary, headed unofficial results, lists 472,136 votes for her. The judicial conduct commission also recorded that she was reelected that November.

November 6, 2018

Source: assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com

Kim Cooks won the November 4, 2014 general election for Dallas County's 255th District Court without an opponent. The county's final summary, headed unofficial results, lists 218,860 votes for her. This election began her first term as a district judge.

November 4, 2014

Source: assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com

On July 23, 2025, Kim Cooks held the Rogers divorce trial and signed the resulting decree in Collin County’s 494th District Court. The parents agreed to the decree, which divided the children’s primary care and required $300 monthly child support. The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed on June 24, 2026, relying on consent, waived objections and lack of demonstrated harm. The recusal request concerned Judge Kathryn Pruitt, not Cooks.

July 23, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence

Source: cases.justia.com

On November 29, 2023, the Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed the December 15, 2020 divorce decree from Kim Cooks's court in Munoz v. Ovalle. It upheld findings of an informal marriage and community ownership of two properties, including a decision voiding a deed to an adult daughter. It found no reversible harm from the failure to file requested written findings. The Texas Supreme Court denied further review on May 30, 2025.

November 29, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence

Source: search.txcourts.gov

On July 27, 2018, the Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed the property division from Kim Cooks's 255th District Court in the Lomack and McClought divorce. It found that personal-injury settlement money had been wrongly treated as separate property. It still affirmed because the appealing spouse had not shown harm to the overall division. The Texas Supreme Court denied further review on January 11, 2019.

July 27, 2018Unfavorable on Legal Competence

Source: cases.justia.com

On February 20, 2018, the Fifth Court of Appeals directed Judge Kim Cooks to undo orders reopening a parental-rights and adoption case, In re T.D.B. It found that the biological father had not proved the grounds for reopening. Cooks also ruled without serving a necessary party or giving proper trial notice. The court directed restoration of the earlier orders and return of the child to the adoptive parents. Relief was conditional on her compliance; later compliance was not verified.

February 20, 2018Unfavorable on Legal Competence

Source: cases.justia.com

On November 9, 2016, Judge Kim Cooks annulled the Younger and Georgulas marriage and awarded Georgulas $45,045.11 for a truck that Younger had sold. The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed on July 16, 2018, finding sufficient evidence for the annulment and damages. The opinion expressly separated those issues from the child-custody dispute. The final mandate issued on September 26, 2018.

November 9, 2016Favorable on Legal Competence

Source: search.txcourts.gov

Received a public warning and an order for two extra hours of mentoring on December 20, 2018. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct found that Cooks willfully broke judicial rules by campaigning as a team with Judge Andrea Martin. Their joint mailer, videos and fundraiser used judicial office to advance Martin’s campaign and publicly endorsed her.

December 20, 2018

Source: scjc.texas.gov