The term probate translates from Latin literally as "proof" and has come to mean the act or process of proving a will in Texas legal procedures. Jurisdiction of probate courts in Texas includes probate matters and matters involving the guardianship of incapacitated persons and minors. Probate and Guardianship cases deal with protecting the wishes, rights, and obligations of persons regarding their property when these persons are unable to do so as result of death or incapacitating illness, either physical or mental.

 

The County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law #2 has general jurisdiction of probate court cases. The court shall probate wills, grant letters testamentary, administration and guardianship, settle accounts of personal representatives, and transact all business appertaining to estates subject to administration

 

The clerk's duties in probate cases are varied and include filing cases, issuing processes, maintaining records of proceedings, issuing certified copies and appeals.

In all contested probate proceedings, the parties are entitled to trial by jury as in other civil actions. Appellate jurisdiction for any probate case lies with the courts of appeals.

Probate Search Fee: $10.00

Probate Fees-Effective January 1, 2010

FEE REGULATION   TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP PERSONAL SERVICE ONLY PERMANENT GUARDIANSHIP POSTING  AND  PERSONAL  SERVICE PROBATE  WITH  POSTING PROBATE TRANSFER  NO  POSTING SMALL  ESTATE MENTAL  OR  CHEMICAL DEPENDENT PROBATE ADVERSE ACTION NEW APPL.  BY SAME APPLICANT  IN AN  EXISTING ESTATE CLERK LGC Sec.118.052 $44.00 $48.00 $44.00 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00   $40.00 LIBRARY LGC Sec.323.023 $35.00 $35.00 $35.00 $35.00 $35.00 $35.00     JUDGE LGC Sec.118.101 $2.00 $2.00 $2.00   $2.00 $2.00     JUDICAL EDUCATION LGC Sec.118.064 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00     RECORDS  MGMT LGC Sec.118.0645 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 SECURITY FEE LGC Sec.291.008 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 STATUTORY/  CONST. FEE HB 2837 (1997) / GC 51.702 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00 $40.00     CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR INDIGENT LGC Sec.133.153 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00   $10.00 COURT REPORTER GC Sec.51.601 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00     SHERIFFS FEE POSTING LGC Sec.118.131   $25.00 $25.00           SHERIFF'S FEE SERVICE LGC Sec.118.131 $55.00 $55.00       $55.00     CERT MAIL LGC Sec.118.131                 ADVERSE ACTION (CONTEST)               $40.00   ATTORNEY AD LITEM FEE             $50.00     STATE JUDICIARY  FEE LGC133.154 (A) $42.00 $42.00 $42.00 $42.00 $42.00 $42.00     APPELLATE FEE GC Sec.22.201 and 22.2121 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00     COURT RECORDS PRESV. FEE LGC 133.153 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00     Suppl. Guard.  Fee HB1295 LGC 118.052(2)(E) $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00   $20.00   NEW TOTALS 01/01/10  $293.00 $322.00 $263.00 $232.00 $234.00 $319.00 $70.00 $60.00 $4.00 ea citation