Collin County

Dallas County

Denton County

Tarrant County

Preparing for the Hearing

Requirement for Attorney

Collin County Probate Court Information

Collin County Probate Court
Judge Weldon Copeland
2100 Bloomdale Road
Suite 12360
McKinney, Texas 75071
972.548.6463

Map to Collin County 
Probate Courts

View Larger Map

Dallas County Probate Court Information

Dallas County Probate Court
Judge Brenda Hull Thompson
Old Criminal Courts Building, 2nd Floor
501 Main Street, Room 201
Dallas, Texas 75202
214.653.7236

Dallas County Probate Court No. 2
Judge Christopher Wilmoth
Records Building, 2nd Floor
500 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
214.653.7138

Dallas County Probate Court No. 3
Judge Michael E. Miller
Records Building, 2nd Floor
500 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
214.653.6166

View Larger Map

Denton County Probate Court Information

Denton County Probate Court
Judge Bonnie Robison
Denton County Courts Bldg.
1450 E. McKinney St.
Denton, Texas  76209
940.349.2140

Map to Denton County 
Probate Courts

View Larger Map

Tarrant County Probate Court Information

Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1
Judge Steve M. King
Tarrant County Courthouse
100 W. Weatherford, Room 260A
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
817-212-7238

Tarrant County Probate Court No. 2
Judge Pat Ferchill
Tarrant County Courthouse
100 W. Weatherford, Room 220A
Fort Worth, Texas 76196 
817-884-1415

Map to Tarrant County 
Probate Courts

View Larger Map

Preparing for the Hearing

Decorum

          When attending a hearing before any of the Probate Courts, Clients should remember that they will be appearing before a judge in court of law. Although the judges are bound to follow the law, it never hurts our case to address the judge in a courteous and respectful manner, i.e. "Your Honor," or "Judge".

          Also, please know that the acoustics inside the courtrooms are terrible.  Any extraneous noise makes it difficult for the judge to hear what the lawyers are saying. Therefore, please do not talk or whisper in the courtroom while the judge is on the bench.

Attire

          Business attire is recommended when attending any hearing in the Probate Courts.  Shorts, mini-skirts, cut-offs, flip-flops, etc. are absolutely not allowed. 

Cell Phones and Pagers

          Turn off all cell phones and pages BEFORE entering the courtroom.  Any cell phone or pager that goes off while court is in session will be confiscated by the bailiff.

Questions for the Hearing

Questions for Hearing for Application for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary

Questions for Hearing for Application for Probate of Will as a Muniment of Title Only

Questions for Hearing for Application for Guardianship of the Person Only

These documents are reserved for clients of the Firm and require a password to open.  Please refer to your letter with your court setting for the password.

Requirement for an Attorney

Consistent with requirements of statutes prohibiting the unauthorized practice of law, many courts will not permit "Pro Se" litigants to represent estates in probate and guardianship cases.  Persons applying to be executors, administrators, or guardians must be represented by legal counsel.  What is the reason for this requirement? 

In Texas, only a licensed attorney may represent a third party in a judicial proceeding.  In most probate or guardianship cases, an individual applicant is not representing only himself.  Instead, he or she is attempting to represent another person or group of persons such as beneficiaries of an estate.

Many Courts have exceptions to this rule.  For example, the following parties may proceed without an attorney:

- the sole beneficiary offering a will for probate as a Muniment of Title;

- a non-corporate creditor of a probate or guardianship estate; or

- a non-corporate party in an ancillary civil action.  

If you have any questions, you are invited to call the Court Clerk or you can consult the following written policies:

Dallas County Policy on "Pro Se" Representation in Court

Denton County Policy on "Pro Se" Representation in Court