Harris County Probate Court Records

Harris County probate court records are kept by the County Clerk and managed through five statutory probate courts in Houston. The county is the most populous in Texas with roughly 4.7 million people, so the probate system here is one of the busiest in the state. If you need to look up a will, an estate case, or a guardianship filing, the Harris County probate courts and the County Clerk's office are your main sources. You can search probate records online through the county's portal or visit the courthouse in person. Each of the five probate courts handles its own docket, but all case files go through the same clerk's office for record keeping and public access.

Harris County Probate Courts

Harris County has five statutory probate courts. That is more than most Texas counties. Each court has its own judge and handles a share of the probate caseload. The courts deal with estates of people who have died, guardianships for those who cannot care for themselves, mental health commitments, and trust matters. All five courts sit at the Harris County Civil Courthouse in downtown Houston, though Probate Court No. 5 is at a separate location on Congress Street.

The judges who run these courts are Judge Jerry Simoneaux (Court No. 1), Judge Pamela Medina (Court No. 2), Judge Jason Cox (Court No. 3), Judge James Horwitz (Court No. 4), and Judge Fransheneka "Fran" Watson (Court No. 5). Harris County also has a Public Probate Administrator, Brandon Cofield, who can be reached at 832-927-1422. The administrator's office is at 201 Caroline Street, Suite 607. If you are not sure which court has your case, the clerk's office can help you find it.

Probate Court No. 1 holds will hearings on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. Heirship and administration hearings are on Wednesdays. Guardianship hearings also take place on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. Live broadcasts of hearings are available for some courts. If you need to set a hearing, call the court directly. For Court No. 1, that number is 832-927-1401.

Searching Harris County Probate Records

The Harris County Probate Courts run their own web portal where you can look up cases and docket information. You can visit the Harris County Probate Portal to start your search. The system lets you search by case number, party name, or hearing date.

The portal shows which court a case is in, the parties involved, and upcoming hearing dates. It covers all five probate courts. You do not need an account to use the basic search.

You can also search for Harris County probate records through the statewide re:SearchTX system. This tool pulls case data from courts all over Texas, including Harris County. For older records or those not yet online, contact the County Clerk's office at 713-274-8600. Case data and document images are available through the clerk's Document Portal as well.

The Probate Court No. 1 page shows hearing schedules and has links for online scheduling. Each court has its own page with contact info and docket details.

This page for Court No. 1 shows hearing times and includes a checklist for simple probate matters. Similar pages exist for the other four courts.

Harris County Probate Filing Fees

Filing a probate case in Harris County costs $360. That covers the application to probate a will, an administration, a small estate affidavit, or a guardianship case. The fee is the same no matter which of the five probate courts gets your case.

There are other costs you may need to pay. A search by the clerk runs $5. Certified copies cost $5 per document plus $1 per page. Plain copies are $1 per page. Letters testamentary or letters of administration cost $2 each. A citation costs $8. If you deposit a will for safekeeping, that fee is $5. Filing a bond is $5, and an annual account costs $25 to file. Claims against an estate run $10 each. Documents over 25 pages filed after the 120th day cost $25.

E-filing adds more fees on top of the base amount. The state charges a $30 electronic filing fee for each new case filed through eFileTexas.gov. The county tacks on $2 for each envelope filed electronically. Attorneys must e-file under Texas rules. Pro se filers do not have to use the e-filing system. Original wills cannot be e-filed and must be brought to the clerk's office in person within three business days of filing an application electronically.

Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145. Forms for this are on the Texas Courts website.

Types of Harris County Probate Records

Probate court records in Harris County cover a wide range of filings. The most common are applications to probate a will, letters testamentary, and inventories of estate assets. You will also find heirship determinations, guardianship applications, and mental health commitment filings. Each case type creates its own set of documents that become part of the court file.

Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 256, a will can be probated as a muniment of title when no formal administration is needed. This is a simpler process used often in Harris County. Chapter 257 covers independent administration, which is the most common type of probate in Texas. The independent executor handles the estate without ongoing court oversight. Dependent administration under Chapters 301 through 309 involves more court supervision and generates more records.

Harris County probate records are public under Texas law. Anyone can go to the courthouse and ask to view or copy a probate file. You do not need to be a party to the case. Some items are restricted though. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from public documents. Medical records and details about minor children in guardianship cases may be sealed. The application to probate a will must be filed within four years of the person's death under Texas Estates Code Section 256.003. Letters testamentary expire one year plus 120 days after their anniversary date.

Small Estate Filings in Harris County

If someone dies without a will and their assets total $75,000 or less (not counting the homestead), you may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit instead of full probate. This is governed by Texas Estates Code Section 205. The filing fee in Harris County is the same $360, but the process is faster and simpler than regular probate.

All heirs must sign the affidavit. If even one heir refuses, you cannot use this method. You will need a death certificate, a list of all assets and debts, and contact information for every heir. Once the court approves the affidavit, you can take it to banks and other institutions to collect the assets. The Harris County Law Library at 1019 Congress in Houston is a good place to research forms if you are handling a small estate on your own.

Legal Help for Probate in Harris County

Probate is the number three request for legal aid in Texas. Many people cannot afford an attorney for estate matters. Several groups in Harris County can help.

Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Houston area and takes family law and probate cases for low-income residents. Their number is (800) 733-8394. You can learn more at lonestarlegal.org. Houston Volunteer Lawyers runs free legal clinics. Call (713) 228-0732 for details. The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral line at (800) 252-9690, and you can search for attorneys at texasbar.com.

TexasLawHelp.org has self-help guides for probate matters. The Texas State Law Library in Austin provides free research access and has guides on estates and probate. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical probate records from many counties, including older Harris County files dating back decades. For more on public access rules, the Texas Probate Records Public Access Guide explains what you can and cannot get.

Cities in Harris County

Harris County includes Houston and many surrounding communities. All probate cases for residents in Harris County go through the Harris County Probate Courts in Houston.

Other communities in Harris County include Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, and many more. All probate matters file through the Harris County court system regardless of which city you live in.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Harris County. If you are not sure which county handles a probate case, check where the person lived at the time of death. Under Texas Estates Code Chapter 51, probate venue is generally in the county where the person resided.