Serves Jackson County and southwestern Oklahoma from Altus, with a Lawton office by appointment. Probate work covers identifying estate assets, paying debts and creditors, tax obligations, selling real estate during probate, and transferring assets to heirs; the firm also drafts wills and trusts. Rick K. Vernon has practiced in the region since 2001, and consultations are free.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Comanche County, Oklahoma
How probate works in Comanche County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Comanche County District Court
Comanche County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
315 Southwest 5th Street, Suite 504, Lawton, OK 73501
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
E-filing
OptionalAttorneys may open a probate case, file a will or file in an existing probate case through the OSCN E-Filing portal. E-filing is optional, and paper filing at the court clerk's office remains available. On paper: Self-represented filers file on paper: e-filing registration is open only to licensed Oklahoma attorneys, state agency representatives and licensed process servers.
Fax
1-580-248-5068
Departments
- Probate (Civil Division)1-580-581-4565 · Room 207The Civil Division (Room 207) handles probate, guardianship, divorce, custody, and paternity matters.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Comanche County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Comanche County, probate runs through the District Court at 315 Southwest 5th Street, Suite 504, Lawton. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. Electronic probate filing sets Comanche County apart — only 13 Oklahoma counties accept it, with the rest filing on paper.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Oklahoma intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Oklahoma estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 2 monthsOkla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 331, 333, 591Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Comanche County
What probate costs in Comanche County, Oklahoma comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 315 Southwest 5th Street, Suite 504, Lawton. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Court costs and fees under the statewide fee schedule are collected in full, without informal waivers.
The District Court charges $19828 O.S. § 152; 12 O.S. § 1809; 28 O.S. § 86(D)(2); 19 O.S. § 220(C)–(D); Laws 2025, c. 87 (SB 600)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Oklahoma are negotiated, typically 1.7%Modeled estimate under 58 O.S. § 525 (all necessary expenses of administration allowed; no statutory attorney fee schedule — court-determined reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.6%Modeled estimate under 58 O.S. § 525 (all necessary expenses of administration allowed; no statutory attorney fee schedule — court-determined reasonableness): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Oklahoma sets executor compensation by statute — about $12,600 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.5%58 O.S. § 527 (5% first $1K, 4% next $5K, 2.5% remainder)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Oklahoma requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 58 O.S. § 171Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Oklahoma typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the District Court
Probate documents in Comanche County can be filed in person at the District Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. The same 5th Judicial District also serves Cotton, Jefferson and Stephens.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Probate (Civil Division).
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Oklahoma has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Comanche County Self-Filing Assessment.
Comanche County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Probate and guardianship filings are handled by the Civil Division in Room 207. Small claims, adoptions, and protective orders are handled separately in Room 205.
SourceDocument Requirements
After a ruling on a motion, the prevailing side prepares the journal entry within ten days and circulates it for approval before it goes to the judge.
SourceCourt Appearances
The court clerk sets a motion on the assigned judge's motion docket no sooner than 23 days after it is presented and mails the docket to the parties. Motions are not mailed to the clerk to obtain a hearing date or a judge's signature.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the District Court: Original will and any codicils (custodian must deliver the will to the district court) (Okla. Stat. tit. 58, § 21); Verified petition for probate / for letters, stating the requisites of Okla. Stat. tit. 58, § 23 (jurisdictional facts, executor consent/renunciation, heirs/legatees/devisees, value of estate, person for whom letters are prayed); Certified copy of the death certificate (standard district court filing requirement); Notice of hearing on the petition, mailed/published per Okla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 25-26, 32-34Okla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 1, 23, 101-125, 171-178 (probate jurisdiction, petition requisites, letters, bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Comanche County
In Comanche County certified copies of the death certificate come from Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service.
Vital Records Office Record
Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service
Comanche County · State vital records office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday noon-4:45 PM (will-call pickup only, no walk-in applications)
Website
Certified copies
From Oklahoma State Department of Health - Vital Records Service
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
P.O. Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
State Medical Examiner
Comanche County · Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
921 Northeast 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Website
Serves this county
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Mail and offices
Fax
1-405-239-2430
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Comanche County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Comanche County are recorded with the County Clerk at 315 Southwest 5th Street, Room 304, Lawton, OK 73501. Phone: 1-580-355-5214.
The County Clerk charges $18 for the first page plus $2 for each additional page.
Comanche County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile and CSC.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Comanche County
Phone
Office
315 Southwest 5th Street, Room 304, Lawton, OK 73501
Website
E-recording
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $18 |
| Each additional page | $2 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
28 O.S. § 32
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form · Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Comanche County
Oklahoma uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Comanche County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Oklahoma are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Comanche County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
George Miller serves Lawton and Comanche County with estate planning and probate, including wills, guardianships, and powers of attorney.
Founded in 1945, this Comanche County firm provides comprehensive southwestern Oklahoma legal services including estate planning and administration, business transactions, real estate, tax planning, and family law.
Ana Basora Walker has served southwestern Oklahoma from Lawton since 2000, providing probate and estate planning services. The office also provides bilingual services in Spanish.
Behrnes Law serves Duncan and Stephens County with estate planning, probate, and trust administration. The firm helps clients select appropriate estate planning techniques and guides families through legal processes following a death.
Serving western Oklahoma for more than 80 years from Anadarko, the firm handles probate, estate planning, and real estate for Caddo County and surrounding communities, with a second office in Carnegie.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(8)·
- 28 O.S. § 152; 12 O.S. § 1809; 28 O.S. § 86(D)(2); 19 O.S. § 220(C)–(D); Laws 2025, c. 87 (SB 600)
- 58 O.S. § 527 (5% first $1K, 4% next $5K, 2.5% remainder)
- Okla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 1, 23, 101-125, 171-178 (probate jurisdiction, petition requisites, letters, bond)
- Okla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 331, 333, 591
- 28 O.S. § 32
- Comanche County District Court, official page
- Comanche County Clerk, official page
- Comanche County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Oklahoma statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Oklahoma
Free tools for settling an estate in Oklahoma: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Oklahoma.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Oklahoma: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 days58 O.S. §§ 281, 289Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsOkla. Stat. tit. 58, §§ 331, 333, 591Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Oklahoma happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust Code60 O.S. § 1601.1 et seq. (Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, HB 1850, eff. Nov 1, 2025); 60 O.S. § 175.1 et seq. (Oklahoma Trust Act, residual)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 days60 O.S. § 1601.1 et seq. (Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, Laws 2025, c. 254, eff. Nov. 1, 2025)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Oklahoma has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Get the Answer
Hire an Oklahoma Probate Attorney
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