Harris County Probate Courts

Harris County Civil Courthouse • Probate Courts 1 to 5 • Downtown Houston

Harris County Probate Courts

Harris County is one of only 12 Texas counties with dedicated statutory probate courts, and with five probate courts, it has more than any other county in the state. Texas has just 24 statutory probate courts statewide, reflecting the specialized nature of probate law. Cases are assigned randomly at the time of filing, and all five courts are located at or near the Harris County Civil Courthouse in downtown Houston.

Visit the Harris County Probate Courts website for official court information, or search probate case records online through the County Clerk's office.

All five courts handle the full range of probate matters, wills, heirships, administrations, guardianships, trusts, and related civil litigation. Office hours are generally 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Each court maintains its own docket schedule and Zoom hearing procedures; check the individual court pages linked above for current policies.

Harris County Public Probate Administrator

When no qualified person is available to serve as executor or administrator of an estate, the Harris County Public Probate Administrator may step in. The office is held by Brandon Cofield, at 201 Caroline Street, Suite 607, Houston, TX 77002, 832-927-1422.

Under Texas law, the Administrator can only become involved when no other suitable person has been appointed, no family member or close associate is available, and estate assets are at risk of being lost, damaged, or misappropriated. If a qualified person later comes forward, the Administrator will step aside. If you are a family member and you would rather the estate not end up here, the answer is to move early.

How Harris County Probate Judges Are Selected

All five judges are elected in partisan countywide elections and serve four-year terms. To sit as a statutory probate judge in Texas, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, have lived in the county for at least two years, and have at least four years of experience as a practicing lawyer or judge.

Each court also has an associate judge, and this matters more to your case than most people expect. Routine uncontested prove-ups are frequently heard by the associate judge rather than the elected judge. The associate judge for each court is listed on that court's page below.

Note: judge names, associate judges, and court details on this page were verified against the Harris County Probate Courts website on August 2, 2026. Assignments can change, so confirm at the Harris County Probate Courts website.

Overview of Texas Probate Law

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate, validating their will (if one exists), identifying and appraising assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries.

Texas probate law is governed by the Texas Estates Code, which provides several pathways through probate depending on the estate's size, complexity, and whether the deceased left a valid will. Compared to many states, Texas offers relatively streamlined probate options, particularly independent administration, which allows executors to manage estates with minimal court oversight.

Harris County, as Texas's most populous county, processes thousands of probate cases annually through its five dedicated probate courts. Understanding which type of probate applies to your situation is the first step toward an efficient resolution.

Types of Probate in Texas

Texas offers multiple probate pathways. The right choice depends on whether there's a will, the estate's size, and the level of complexity involved.

Getting to the Courthouse

While most uncontested probate hearings can be attended via Zoom, some matters, particularly contested cases like will contests or complex evidentiary hearings, may require an in-person appearance. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Harris County Probate Courts.

Driving Directions by Freeway

Parking

Tip: Most uncontested probate hearings last 10 to 15 minutes. Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to clear security and find the courtroom. Kyle Robbins will provide specific courtroom information and entry instructions before your hearing.

Filing Requirements & Procedures

Probate matters in Harris County are filed with the Harris County Clerk's Office, not the District Clerk. The Probate Department is at 201 Caroline Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77002, and its phone number is 713-274-8585. The general process involves:

1. Prepare the application. The specific application depends on the type of probate (e.g., Application to Probate Will as Muniment of Title, Application for Independent Administration, Application for Heirship Determination).
2. Attach required documents. Original will (if applicable), certified death certificate, and any supporting affidavits.
3. Pay the filing fee. $360 for all new estate matters in Harris County, including will probates, administrations, heirships, and small estates.
4. Post citation. The court posts public notice for at least 10 days before the hearing (required for most proceedings).
5. Attend the hearing. Brief testimony before the assigned probate judge. Most uncontested hearings take 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Receive court orders. Letters Testamentary (with will) or Letters of Administration (without will) grant legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.

E-Filing and the Original Will

Attorneys file electronically in Harris County, and your attorney handles that process entirely. There is one important exception that catches people out.

Original wills cannot be e-filed. A copy of the will is attached to the application when it is filed electronically, and the original will must then be physically delivered to the County Clerk within three business days of the electronic submission. A probate application can stall if that original never arrives, so it is worth knowing where the original is before anything is filed. If you cannot locate the original will at all, that is a different and more difficult proceeding, and it is worth a conversation early.

Separately, a living person can deposit their own original will with the County Clerk for safekeeping for a $5 fee under Texas Estates Code Chapter 252. If you suspect a will was deposited this way, the Clerk is the place to ask.

Copies and Certified Documents

Once your case is open, you will need certified copies to move assets. Harris County Clerk charges:

• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration: $2.00 each. Order more than you think you need, banks and title companies rarely give them back.
• Non-certified paper copies: $1.00 per page
• Certified paper copies: $5.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page
• Electronic copies: $1.00 for up to 10 pages, then $0.10 per page, plus the $5.00 certification fee if certified

Remote Hearings & Zoom Appearances

One of the most significant developments in Harris County probate is the widespread availability of remote hearings via Zoom. All five probate courts accommodate video appearances for most uncontested matters, including:

• Muniment of title hearings
• Independent administration appointments
• Heirship determinations
• Inventory approvals
• Routine motions and status conferences

This means families across Houston, across Texas, or even out of state can navigate Harris County probate without ever visiting the courthouse. Kyle Robbins handles all electronic filings and coordinates remote appearances, making the process as convenient as possible regardless of where you're located.

Contested matters (such as will contests) may eventually require in-person appearances, particularly for trials or complex evidentiary hearings.

Timeline Expectations

How long probate takes in Harris County depends primarily on the type of proceeding and whether the case is contested:

These timelines assume uncontested proceedings. Any dispute, missing document, or complication can extend the process. Working with an experienced Harris County probate attorney helps avoid common delays.

Cost Overview

Probate costs in Harris County include attorney fees, court filing fees, and potential additional expenses:

• Court filing fee: $360 for all new estate matters
• Attorney fees: Flat fee for most uncontested proceedings, starting at the prices shown above. Contested matters are billed hourly.
• Surety bond: Required in some cases, typically 0.5 to 1% of estate value annually
• Appraisals: May be needed for real property, business interests, or valuable personal property
• Attorney ad litem: Court-appointed attorney for unknown heirs in intestate cases, fees paid by the estate
• Guardian ad litem: May be required when minor heirs are involved
• Certified copies: a $5 certification fee plus $1 per page for court documents needed for asset transfers (Letters Testamentary are $2 each)

Kyle Robbins provides transparent fee quotes before you commit, so there are no surprises. Request a free consultation to get a specific estimate for your situation.

All attorney fees shown are flat-fee starting prices and depend on the facts of your case and the county of administration. Your exact quote is confirmed in a free consultation before any work begins. Pricing is current as of 2026 and subject to change.

Harris County Probate at a Glance

A visual overview of the entire Harris County probate process, from types of proceedings to filing steps and costs.