Fort Worth Probate Court Records
Fort Worth probate court records are managed by Tarrant County since Fort Worth is the county seat. The city does not have its own probate court. Tarrant County runs two statutory probate courts that handle all estate matters for Fort Worth and the rest of the county. You can search for Fort Worth probate cases through the Tarrant County Odyssey Portal online, or go to the courthouse in person to see full case files. The Probate Clerks office in Room 233 of the county courthouse handles all filings, copies, and questions about existing cases.
Fort Worth Overview
Fort Worth Probate Filing Location
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County. All probate matters for Fort Worth residents go through the Tarrant County Probate Courts. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate is filed where the person who died last lived.
Tarrant County has two statutory probate courts. Probate Court 1 is in Room 260A and can be reached at (817) 884-1200. Probate Court 2 is in Room 150 at (817) 884-1415. The Probate Clerks sit in Room 233. For filing questions, call (817) 884-1770. For copy information, call (817) 884-1069.
| Office | Tarrant County Probate Clerks |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 West Weatherford Street, Room 233 Fort Worth, TX 76196 |
| Filing Info | (817) 884-1770 |
| Copy Info | (817) 884-1069 |
| Website | Tarrant County Probate Courts |
Wills can be filed for safekeeping at the Tarrant County Clerk's office. Mental health filings are also done through the probate office. The county has been working on a document imaging system to make more records available digitally. The Citation by Publication process was recently updated, so check with the clerk for current procedures.
Search Fort Worth Probate Records
The main way to search Fort Worth probate court records online is through the Tarrant County Online Searches page. The Odyssey Portal lets you look up cases by party name or case number. There is also a Probate Court Public Browse option for general searching.
Attorneys can sign up for Secure Attorney Access, which gives deeper access to case files through a subscription service. For everyone else, the free public portal covers the basics. The statewide re:SearchTX system is another way to find Tarrant County probate records.
In person, you can visit the Probate Clerks in Room 233 at the Tarrant County Courthouse. They can pull case files, make copies, and answer questions about filing. An online payment portal is also available for paying probate fees remotely.
Note: The Tarrant County probate records guide has more details on what types of cases you can search.
Probate Case Types in Fort Worth
Fort Worth probate court records cover wills, estate administration, guardianships, heirship cases, and small estate affidavits. The most common path is independent administration under Texas Estates Code Chapter 257. This lets the executor manage the estate without heavy court oversight.
If the estate has no unpaid debts (besides a mortgage), a will can be probated just as a muniment of title under Chapter 256. That is a quicker process. For people who die without a will, heirship proceedings under Chapter 304 determine who the legal heirs are. Small estates under $75,000 may be able to skip probate court altogether with an affidavit under Section 205.
The filing deadline matters. A will must be offered for probate within four years of the death. After that window, the court may still admit the will, but you need to show good cause for the delay.
Fort Worth Probate Resources
The Texas Courts rules and forms page has all official probate court forms for use in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
These forms work for wills, administration applications, guardianships, and small estate affidavits. Self-represented parties can file in person at the Tarrant County Clerk's office.
Attorneys must e-file through eFileTexas.gov. The state fee is $30 for new cases. Original wills must still be delivered by hand or mail. The Texas State Law Library offers free research guides on probate. TexasLawHelp has guides for people doing probate without a lawyer. The State Bar referral service at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a Fort Worth probate attorney.
Fort Worth Probate Fees
Tarrant County probate filing fees are around $360. Certified copies, search fees, and other costs are similar to other Texas counties. Call (817) 884-1069 for the current fee schedule. An online payment portal lets you pay fees without coming to the courthouse.
If you cannot afford fees, file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The form is at txcourts.gov. People on government benefits or earning below 125% of the federal poverty line usually qualify for a waiver.
Nearby Cities
Cities near Fort Worth with probate court records pages:
Arlington • Grand Prairie • Mansfield • Dallas • Irving
Tarrant County Probate Court Records
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County. All probate filings go through the county courts here. See the county page for the full breakdown of courts, fees, and how to access records.