(a) Unless a party files a written request for a de novo hearing before the referring court, the referring court may:
(1) adopt, modify, or reject the associate judge's proposed order or judgment;
(2) hear further evidence; or
(3) recommit the matter to the associate judge for further proceedings.
(b) The judge of the referring court shall sign a proposed order or judgment the court adopts as provided by Subsection (a)(1) not later than the 30th day after the date the associate judge signed the order or judgment.