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Rule 144.Judgment on Cost Bond

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 144 makes every cost bond authorize judgment against all its obligors for the costs, to be entered in the final judgment.

Full Text of Rule 144

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All bonds given as security for costs shall authorize judgment against all the obligors in such bond for the said costs, to be entered in the final judgment of the cause.
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Plain-English Summary

Rule 144 makes a cost bond enforceable in the case itself. Every bond given as security for costs authorizes a judgment against all the obligors on the bond for those costs, entered as part of the final judgment in the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cost bond be enforced in the same Texas case?

Yes. Under Rule 144, a cost bond authorizes judgment against all its obligors for the costs, entered in the final judgment.

Who can be held liable under a cost bond in Texas?

All the obligors on the bond. Rule 144 authorizes judgment against every one of them for the costs.

Does enforcing a cost bond require a separate lawsuit?

No. Rule 144 lets the judgment against the bond's obligors be entered as part of the final judgment in the same case.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 144), 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: judgment on cost bondcost bondobligorsTRCP 144