Texas Statutory Probate Courts
According to the Texas Constitution, the Legislature can determine which court will have authority over probate matters. In many of the counties with large metropolises, the government has set up a separate court to have jurisdiction over probate matters, called the Statutory Probate Courts. The counties that use these courts and their information are as follows:
Bexar County houses two probate courts: Probate Court #1 is overseen by Judge Polly Jackson Spencer and Associate Judge Oscar Kazen. Every Monday at 10:00 am, the court has an uncontested docket for probate of wills. At 11:00am, it has an uncontested docket for dependent administrations. Probate Court #1 is located at 100 Dolorosa, Rm. 123 in San Antonio, TX 78205. They can be reached at (210) 335-2678.
Probate Court #2 has only one arbitrator, Judge Tom Rickhoff. Those who want to have their uncontested probate case heard can come at 2:00pm on Mondays, except on holidays, during which they will be held on Tuesdays at the same time. The court provides a sign-in sheet at 1:00pm, which will determine the order of the cases called. Uncontested administrations are held at 3:00pm on the same day.
For all other matters, an appointment is needed. Probate Court 2 is located at 100 Dolorosa, Rm. 117, San Antonio, TX 78205. Their phone number is (210) 335-2546 for those who want to schedule an appointment. For a list of fees associated with probate matters, click here.
Collin County has one probate court, with Judge Weldon Copeland presiding over its cases. You can reach Judge Copeland at 972-424-1460 ext. 3810 if you have questions about your probate matters. You could also visit their Probate FAQ page, which answers commonly asked questions. The Collin County probate court is located at 1800 N Graves St, McKinney, TX 75069. For a list of filing fees,
visit their website.
Dallas County has three probate courts, located at 501 Main St # 200, Dallas, TX 75202. Judge Brenda Hull Thompson, a law graduate of Georgetown University, presides over Probate Court 1. The court can be reached at (214) 653-7236. Judge Chris Wilmoth presides over Probate Court 2; he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University. Probate Court 2 can be reached at (214) 653-7138. Lastly, Judge Michael E. Miller presides over Probate Court 3. He is an alumnus of the University of Texas. Its telephone number is (214) 653-6166
The courts have disability access and parking available to those who need it. For more information, read the Directions and Parking page on their website. If you have any further questions about probate matters in general, check out the courts'FAQ page. To view the fees associated with Dallas County Probate Court, view
Probate Filing Fees on their website.
Denton County Probate Court is headed up by Judge Bonnie Robinson and Associate Judge David W. Jahn. It is located at 1450 E McKinney St #2412, Denton, TX 76209. Cases can be heard from 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. They can be reached (940) 349-2036. To see the fees that are related to Denton County Probate Court, read their Probate Fee List.
El Paso County has two probate courts that handle matters like a decedent's will and estate administration. They are located at 500 E San Antonio Ave #803, El Paso, TX 79901. Judge Patricia B. Chew oversees El Paso County Statutory Court 1. This court can be contacted by calling (915) 546-2161 or emailing probatecourt@epcounty.com.
Judge Eduardo Gamboa presides over case in Statutory Probate Court 2. This court can be reached at (915)546-8183 or by emailing bcastillo@epcounty.com. For answers to common questions, El Paso County Statutory Probate Court's
FAQ page on their website. Find out probate-related fees by reading over the
Schedule of Filing Fees.
Galveston County Probate Court is located at 600 59th St Ste 2305, Galveston, TX 77551. They can be contacted by calling (409) 766-2251. Judge Kim Sullivan oversees this court. To view payments associated with probate court, take a look at the court's fee schedule. Those who want to file electronically may do so following the rules of the court. To read more about electronic filing,
visit their website.
Harris County houses four probate courts, which are all located at 201 Caroline
Houston, Texas 77002. Judge Loyd Wright oversees Probate Court No. 1, which is reachable at 713-368-6700. Probate Court No. 2 is headed up by Judge Mike Wood, and can be contacted by calling 713-368-6710. Both Probate Court No. 1 and 2 are located on the 6th floor of the courthouse.
Judge Rory R. Olsen presides over probate cases in Probate Court No. 3, which can be contacted by calling 713-368-6730. To call Probate Court No. 4, dial 713-368-6767. Judge Christine Butts oversees this court, which is located on the 7th floor, along with Probate Court No. 3. The probate court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm
Find answers to probate questions by reading the "Helpful Guidelines" page. You may also want to check out the "Standards for Attorney Fees" and "Fee Schedule" pages, to read about payments associated with your probate matter.
Hidalgo County has one sole probate court, overseen by Judge Homero Garza. It is located at 100 N. Closner, Third Floor, Edinburg, TX. The court is open from 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. For more information, their staff can be reached by calling (956) 318-2385. To find out the charges associated with your probate matter, take a look at the Fee Schedule.
The two probate courts of Tarrant County are located at 100 Weatherford, Fort Worth, Texas 76196. Probate Court #1 is open from 7:30am-4:30pm and can be contacted by calling 817-212-7238. Judge Steve M. King was appointed to hear the cases at this court. Probate Court #2 is open at the same hours, reachable at 817-884-1415. Judge Pat Ferchill oversees Probate Court #2.
To find out more about the court's policies, read the Court Policy page on their website, where you can also find relevant forms and guidelines.
Judge Guy Herman oversees the Travis County Probate Court, which is located at 1000 Guadalupe Room 217, Austin, Texas 78767. For directions to the court house, click here. The court is open from 8:00am-5:00pm, with an hour break for lunch at 12:00pm. They can be reached by telephone at (512) 854-9258. For further information about court costs, take a look at the
Fee Information. The Travis County Probate Court also offers answers to
frequently asked questions for those that want to know more about probate-related matters.
Still have questions?
If you are still unsure of your next action to take with your probate matter, then visit the Texas Court information page about Statutory Probate Courts. You could also find a probate attorney near you. A legal professional in your area will be able to give you correct information about the proper procedure and will be very familiar with the probate courts.