Which Court Hears Probate in Tarrant County
This is the first thing to get right in Texas, because the answer varies by county — and filing in the wrong court causes delays.
100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Tarrant County is one of the small number of Texas counties with a dedicated statutory probate court — a specialized court that hears probate, guardianship, and related matters exclusively. That generally means faster, more predictable handling than in counties where probate shares a docket with other cases. Tarrant County has two statutory probate courts.
You generally file in the Texas county where the deceased person lived at the time of death. If they owned real estate in another state, a separate ancillary proceeding may be needed there. Texas is a community property state, so a surviving spouse already owns half of the community property — only the decedent's share passes through probate.
Tarrant County Probate Filing Fees
Unlike some states, Texas sets probate fees at the county level, so they vary. Here's what to expect in Tarrant County:
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application to probate a will | $360 | Paid to the county clerk at filing; varies by county. |
| Determination of heirship (no will) | Higher | Adds citation, publication, and often an attorney ad litem for unknown heirs. |
| Newspaper publication | ~$100–$400 | Notice to creditors, paid to the newspaper (not the court). |
| Certified copies / Letters | ~$5+ each | Letters testamentary; order several — institutions require recent certified copies. |
| Will deposit (optional, pre-death) | ~$5 | Texas lets you deposit a will with the county clerk for safekeeping. |
How Texas Probate Works — Your Options
Texas has more shortcuts than most states. The right path depends on whether there's a will and what the estate owns.
Independent administration
The Texas default and the reason probate here is relatively cheap: once appointed, the executor administers the estate with minimal court supervision. Most wills request it.
Muniment of title
A uniquely Texas shortcut: if there's a valid will and no unpaid debts (except a mortgage), the court can admit the will to transfer title with no administration at all — often 30–60 days.
Small estate affidavit
No will and the estate (excluding the homestead and exempt property) is $75,000 or less? A small estate affidavit can avoid full probate entirely.
Determination of heirship
No will and the shortcuts don't fit? The court identifies the legal heirs under Texas intestacy law, usually alongside an administration.
Filing, E-Filing & Forms
A few Texas-specific mechanics that trip people up:
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys through the statewide portal eFileTexas.gov (you pick an approved e-filing service provider). Self-represented filers may e-file too. Critically, even after e-filing the application, the original paper will must be delivered to the Tarrant County Clerk — often within three business days — and the court won't set a hearing until it has the original.
Texas has no statewide probate forms. Unlike states with fill-in-the-blank court forms, Texas probate is document-driven and county clerks generally don't provide forms or legal advice. Attorneys draft the application, order, and letters. For the do-it-yourself paths, TexasLawHelp.org publishes small estate affidavit and related forms. See our documents checklist for what a filing typically includes.
Notice. After the case opens, the representative publishes a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Tarrant County (the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is commonly used), and the clerk posts notice at the courthouse. Publication typically runs $100–$400.
Tarrant County Probate FAQ
Texas usually requires an attorney for probate — here's why that's often good news
Because representing an estate is considered practicing law, Tarrant County generally requires a licensed attorney for a full administration. The upside: Texas's independent administration keeps costs down, and a local probate attorney who knows this court files it right the first time. Fees typically come from the estate, not your pocket.
Inherited a house in Tarrant County?
If the estate includes a property you'd rather not maintain, insure, or wait out probate to sell, you can get a no-obligation cash offer — even mid-probate, and as-is. No repairs, no agent commissions, no cleanup.