Harris County Probate Court and Filing Guide

Harris County has five statutory probate courts. The county publishes separate court pages, settings, policies, and resource links, so the assigned court controls the hearing path after filing.1

The Harris County Clerk Probate Department receives filings, maintains the record, issues citations and notices, and provides Letters and copies after the required court action. The clerk accepts and maintains the court record, while the judge decides petitions, appointments, contested issues, and requests that require a court order.1

Do not rely on a courthouse name alone. Confirm the county, the filing office, the court assignment, and the current hearing instructions before you travel or submit a document.

Attorneys use eFileTexas. File a copy of the will with the application, then deliver the original will to the clerk within three business days. The clerk reports a $30 state fee for each new e-filed case and a $2 county fee for each envelope, in addition to court and service charges.13

The correct venue generally depends on your loved one's domicile and the Texas Estates Code, not simply where a family member lives or where one asset is located. A local court can reject or transfer a filing when the venue or case type is wrong.

Before filing, confirm whether you have the original will, who is asking to serve, whether an administration is needed, and whether another proceeding is already open.

• Confirm venue and case type
• Use the current filing code and fee schedule
• Deliver the original will as required after an electronic filing
• Keep the filing confirmation, cause number, and accepted documents together

The clerk opens the case after accepting the application and payment. Citation, posting, service, or publication may follow, depending on the request and the people who must receive notice.

The assigned court reviews the application and supporting documents. If the court grants the request, the proposed executor or administrator may still need to complete an oath, bond, or other qualification before the clerk issues Letters.

Letters show banks and other institutions that the appointed representative has authority. They do not replace the remaining work: collecting assets, handling claims, maintaining property, addressing taxes, keeping records, reporting when required, and completing distribution.

1. File the correct applicationMatch the pleading, filing code, attachments, original-will handling, and local requirements.
2. Complete notice and hearing workTrack citation, posting, service, publication, settings, and any court-specific documents.
3. Qualify and obtain LettersComplete the oath, bond, and other conditions stated in the order.
4. Administer and close the estateConnect the court file to the accounts, property, creditors, taxes, beneficiaries, and final records.

Use the clerk's named forms and the checklist published by the assigned probate court. The form set changes for a will, heirship, administration, muniment of title, or Chapter 205 small-estate affidavit.12

Use the Harris County Clerk probate search for the docket and accepted documents. Request certified copies or current Letters through the clerk after the required court action.12

Use the official form or instruction page for this county rather than a saved packet from another county. Texas law is statewide, but each court publishes its own checklists, proposed orders, hearing instructions, and fee information.

Alix manages Harris County estate settlement from start to finish, with legal support included. Your Estate Settlement Specialist owns the broader plan across accounts, property, bills, taxes, records, and beneficiary updates.

A licensed attorney handles the legal work required for Harris County probate, including advice, filings, hearings, and court responses. The court work and the operational work stay on one plan, so an accepted filing does not leave you to manage the rest of the estate alone.

You stay involved in the decisions only you can make. Alix handles the institution follow-up, property work, creditor records, tax documents, beneficiary communication, and closing work needed after the court grants authority.

Alix keeps the Harris County court file connected to the real settlement work, including property, bank accounts, creditor notices, tax records, beneficiary communication, and final distribution.