Tarrant County Probate Courts

Tarrant County Probate Courts

Tarrant County is one of the Texas counties with dedicated statutory probate courts, and it has two of them, Probate Court No. 1 and Probate Court No. 2. Both sit in the Tarrant County Courthouse at 100 West Weatherford Street in downtown Fort Worth. Because Tarrant has statutory probate courts, the constitutional county court does not hear probate; every decedent's estate, guardianship, and related trust matter goes to one of these two courts.

Visit the Tarrant County Probate Courts website for official court information, or contact the County Clerk's probate help line at 817-884-1770 to ask about a filing.

Both 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 keeps its own docket and remote-hearing procedures. Probate Court No. 1 hears its uncontested prove-ups, administrations, and heirships primarily on Mondays and Thursdays, and publishes a full library of sample orders and drafting guidance for uncontested matters.

How Tarrant County Probate Judges Are Selected

Both statutory probate judges are elected in 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 uses an associate judge, and this matters more than most people expect. Routine uncontested prove-ups are frequently heard by the associate judge rather than the elected judge. An associate judge may hear any matter before the court except a jury trial.

Note: judge names and court details on this page reflect the Tarrant County Probate Courts website as of August 2026. Assignments can change, so confirm current information at the Tarrant County Probate Courts website before you rely on it.

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 valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the 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 person left a valid will. Compared with many states, Texas offers relatively streamlined options, particularly independent administration, which lets an executor manage the estate with minimal court oversight.

In Tarrant County, those cases run through the two statutory 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 one depends on whether there is a will, the size of the estate, and how much complexity is involved.

Getting to the Courthouse

Most uncontested probate hearings can be handled by Zoom or by your attorney on your behalf, so many families never need to appear in person. When an in-person appearance is required, here is where to go.

Directions and Parking

The historic Tarrant County Courthouse sits at the north end of downtown Fort Worth, where Main Street meets Weatherford Street near the Trinity River. From the north or south, take I-35W to the downtown Fort Worth exits and follow signs toward the courthouse district. From the east (Arlington and the Mid-Cities), take I-30 West to I-35W North and exit for downtown. From the west, take I-30 East to I-35W North.

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

Filing Requirements & Procedures

Probate matters in Tarrant County are filed with the Tarrant County Clerk's Probate Division, in the courthouse at 100 West Weatherford Street. Probate documents are handled in Room 233, and new small estate affidavits are intake at Room B90. The probate help line is 817-884-1770. The general process involves:

1. Prepare the application. The specific application depends on the type of probate (for example, an Application to Probate Will as a Muniment of Title, an Application for Independent Administration, or an Application to Determine Heirship).
2. Attach required documents. The original will (if applicable), a certified death certificate, and any supporting affidavits.
3. Pay the filing fee. $360 for a base new estate matter, $392 for proceedings that include issuance and citation, and $404 for a small estate affidavit.
4. Post citation. The court posts public notice before the hearing, as required for most proceedings.
5. Attend the hearing. Brief testimony before the assigned probate judge, or a Zoom appearance where the court allows it.
6. Receive court orders. Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (without a will) grant legal authority to act for the estate.

E-Filing and the Original Will

Attorneys file electronically through eFileTexas, 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 electronic application, and the original will must then be delivered to the County Clerk so the court can admit it. A probate application can stall if the original never arrives, so it is worth knowing where the original is before anything is filed. If the original cannot be located at all, that is a different and more difficult proceeding, and it is worth a conversation early.

Copies and Certified Documents

Once your case is open, you will need certified copies to move assets. The Tarrant 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
• Estate name search: $5.00 per name

Tarrant County Probate Forms and Court Resources

The Tarrant County Probate Courts and the County Clerk publish the official forms, fee schedules, and rules that govern a probate case here. The documents families and attorneys reach for most are collected below.

These documents are published by the Tarrant County Probate Courts and County Clerk and are provided here for convenience. Confirm the current version on the county’s official website before you rely on it.

Remote Hearings & Zoom Appearances

Remote hearings are available in Tarrant County, but the policy is set court by court, so it is worth knowing which court has your case.

Probate Court No. 2 publishes a defined Zoom process. As a general rule, uncontested applications for a muniment of title, administrations, and some heirships can be heard by video. You request the setting through the court coordinator, a notary must be present to administer the oath and any proofs, and the court provides a standing Zoom link. Everyone must be able to connect with working audio and video, and the session is treated as a formal courtroom proceeding.

Probate Court No. 1 treats in-person as the default and accommodates Zoom by request, for matters where it is genuinely needed. You or your attorney email the court in advance, stating what the hearing is for, how long it will take, and whether a court reporter is needed.

Either way, Kyle Robbins handles the electronic filings and coordinates the appearance, so families across Fort Worth, across Texas, or out of state can move a Tarrant County probate forward without fighting traffic or airports. Contested matters such as will contests and complex evidentiary hearings are generally held in person.

Timeline Expectations

How long probate takes in Tarrant County depends mostly 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 Tarrant County probate attorney helps avoid the common delays.

Cost Overview

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

• Court filing fee: $360 base, $392 for proceedings with issuance and citation, $404 for a small estate affidavit
• Attorney fees: a flat fee for most uncontested proceedings, starting at the prices shown above. Contested matters are billed hourly.
• Citation by publication or posting: charged separately where a proceeding requires it
• Appraisals: may be needed for real property, business interests, or valuable personal property
• Attorney ad litem: a court-appointed attorney for unknown heirs in heirship cases, paid by the estate
• Certified copies: a $5 certification fee plus $1 per page, with Letters at $2 each

Kyle Robbins provides a transparent fee quote 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. Your exact quote is confirmed in a free consultation before any work begins. Court costs are separate. Pricing is current as of 2026 and subject to change.