Start with the county
Which court handles probate in Texas?
Texas probate jurisdiction is organized county by county. In a county with a statutory probate court, that court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate proceedings. Other counties may use the constitutional county court, a county court at law, or a district court for a contested matter under the applicable local structure.
| County structure | Where probate may begin | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| County with a statutory probate court | The county's statutory probate court. | The assigned court, clerk, local rules, and case type. |
| County without a statutory probate court | The county court exercising probate jurisdiction or another court authorized by law. | The county's current probate jurisdiction and filing office. |
| Contested probate matter | The court handling the probate case or a court receiving the contested matter under Texas law. | Transfer rules, assigned judge, hearing procedure, and current orders. |
Find the filing office
How do you find the correct Texas probate court?
- Identify the proper county.Start with where your loved one lived and confirm the Texas venue rules that apply to the estate.
- Open the official county website.Find the county clerk probate page and the court with probate jurisdiction.
- Check the Texas court directory and jurisdiction map.Use official state resources when the county court structure is unclear.
- Confirm the exact court and clerk.The filing office, courtroom, judge, records office, and hearing location may not be the same.
- Verify the current instructions.Check forms, eFiling, original-will delivery, fees, notices, hearing method, and copy requirements.
What the court controls
What does a Texas probate court do?
| Court action | What it establishes | What still needs follow-through |
|---|---|---|
| Review the application and will | Whether the requested probate route and will can be accepted. | Correct filings, evidence, notice, and hearing preparation. |
| Appoint an executor or administrator | Who has court authority to act for the estate. | Qualification, oath, bond when required, and certified proof of authority. |
| Hear disputes and requests | How contested legal questions or requested orders are resolved. | Evidence, deadlines, compliance, and work required by the ruling. |
| Review supervised estate work | Whether a dependent administration action may proceed. | Property, creditor, tax, accounting, distribution, and closing records. |
Build the filing packet
What should you confirm before filing in a Texas probate court?
- The county is the proper venue for the estate
- The application matches the will and requested probate route
- The original will and required copies are accounted for
- Names, family facts, property facts, and requested authority are consistent
- Citation, notice, signatures, proposed orders, and local attachments are complete
- The clerk, eFiling, fee, hearing, and original-document instructions are current
Keep one court file
Which Texas probate court records should you keep?
| Record | Why keep it |
|---|---|
| Filed application, will, and receipt | They show what was submitted and when the case began. |
| Citation, notice, and service proof | They document whether required notice steps were completed. |
| Orders, oath, bond, and certified letters | They define and prove the appointed person's authority. |
| Hearing notices and court communications | They preserve settings, corrections, instructions, and deadlines. |
| Inventory, claims, accountings, receipts, and closing records | They support the work completed after appointment. |
Estate settlement, done for you
How does Alix help with Texas probate court work?
Alix manages estate settlement from start to finish. One Estate Settlement Specialist keeps the accounts, property, bills, tax work, records, court work, and family updates moving together.
| Workstream | Who handles it | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Legal work | A licensed attorney from Alix's network | Legal advice, required filings, notices, hearings, representation, and other licensed work. |
| Estate operations | Your Estate Settlement Specialist | Asset discovery, account work, property, creditors, tax coordination, records, and beneficiary communication. |
| Decisions | You, with support | You approve decisions that require your authority without running every task and handoff yourself. |
After the court filing
What happens after a Texas probate case is filed?
Filing starts the court case. The estate still needs notice, a hearing or court review, appointment, qualification, proof of authority, creditor work, account and property administration, tax work, distributions, and a closing route.
Settling a loved one's estate is too important to do alone.
Fulfill your duty with the rigor and support it deserves.
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Texas probate court questions
Is there one probate court for the State of Texas?
No. Texas probate cases begin at the county level. The correct court depends on the county's court structure and the proceeding. Confirm the county clerk, the court with probate jurisdiction, and the current local instructions before filing.
Where do you file probate in Texas?
Probate is generally filed in the proper county under Texas venue rules. Start with where your loved one lived, then confirm the county clerk and court with probate jurisdiction. Different facts can change venue, so verify the rule before submitting the application.
What is a statutory probate court in Texas?
A statutory probate court is a court created and designated under Texas law to handle probate jurisdiction. In a county with a statutory probate court, that court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate proceedings, subject to the related jurisdiction rules in Texas law.
Can Texas probate documents be filed online?
The filing method depends on the county, filer, document, and current clerk rules. Confirm eFiling requirements, payment, copies, and how the clerk wants the original will delivered. Do not assume that uploading a scan completes every original-document requirement.
Does Alix handle Texas probate court work?
Yes. A licensed attorney from Alix's network handles required legal work. Your Estate Settlement Specialist manages the connected account, property, creditor, tax, recordkeeping, and beneficiary work through distribution and closing.
Official sources for this page5 current legal, court, or bar references
Court assignments, forms, fees, addresses, and procedures can change. Confirm the current official source before filing or visiting.