Fees for probating a will in Ellis County

Fixed Fees*
Probate of Will as a Muniment of Title
- Attorney's Fee - Filing Fee - TOTAL	$2,500.00 $471.24 $2,971.24
Probate of Will with Letters Testamentary
- Attorney's Fee - Filing Fee - Oath, Order & Letters Testamentary (x5) - Order Approving Inventory - Notice to Creditors (estimated) - TOTAL	$3,000.00 $471.24 $14.00 $3.00 $50.00 $3,538.24
Probate of Will with Court Created Independent Administration
- Attorney's Fee - Filing Fee - Letters Testamentary (x5) - Order Approving Inventory - Notice to Creditors (estimated) - TOTAL	$3,500.00 $471.24 $14.00 $3.00 $50.00 $4,038.24
Contested Matters, Dependent Administrations or wills that do not meet the Duran Firm requirements for a fixed fee.
- Attorney's Fees (per hour) - Paralegal's Fees (per hour)	$600/hr $150/hr

* In order to be considered for a fixed fee when probating a will, the following conditions must be met:

1. The Decedent must have been a resident of the DFW area;
2. The Decedent must have died within the last four years;
3. The matter must remain completely uncontested;
4. The executor must have the original will (not a copy);
5. The Will must appoint an “Independent Executor” or provide for “Independent Administration” or the probate must be a muniment of title proceeding; and
6. The Will must be "self-proved." Click here for a full discussion of this requirement (Texas Estates Code Section 251).

About Fixed-Fee Probate in Ellis County, Texas.

What are the court costs to probate a will in Ellis County, Texas?

You can see a full list of Ellis County Probate Court Costs at the Ellis County Clerk's Website.

Court and Judge.

Probate hearings in Ellis County, Texas are handled by Ellis County Court at Law No. One, the Honorable Jim Chapman presiding. You can view the Court's website here: Ellis County Court at Law No. One.

Court Policy on Remote Hearings.

Judge Chapman requires all probate hearings to be held in-person with the applicant, any witnesses, and the attorney in attendance at the actual courtroom. There are exceptions to the rule, including if there is a non-party witness who resides more than 150 miles from Ellis County, Texas, or if a person produces a letter from a doctor stating that a medical issue necessitates their remote appearance. Persons attempting to probate a will are considered partys so the exceptions are pretty limited. You can view Judge Chapman's current policies on in person vs. WebEx hearings here: Judge Chapman's Policy on WebEx HEarings..

Courthouse location.

The Ellis County Court at Law No. One is located in the "new" Ellis County District Courthouse located at 100 S Jackson St, Waxahachie, Texas, 75165. There is a parking garage to the south of the Courthouse with ample free parking.