What to Do When Someone Dies in Dallam County, Texas
Probate in Dallam County runs through the County Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Dallam County, settling their estate runs through the County Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
County Court
Dallam County
Address
414 Denver Ave., Suite 301Dalhart, TX 79022Mailing: P.O. Box 1352
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed
County Clerk is responsible for filing, recording, and maintaining Probate Records.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Dallam 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 Dallam County, probate runs through the County Court at 414 Denver Ave., Suite 301, Dalhart.
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 Texas intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Texas estates take 6 monthsTex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to 12 monthsTex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to move through this process. The 4 monthsTex. Est. Code § 355.060 (121-day bar triggered by optional § 308.054 notice); § 355.001 (no fixed deadline without such notice)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Dallam County
What probate costs in Dallam County, Texas 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 County Court at 414 Denver Ave., Suite 301, Dalhart.
Texas charges $360Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 133.151(a)(1), 135.102(a)(1); SB 41 (87th Leg., eff. 1/1/2022), amounts last amended by SB 1612 (88th Leg., eff. 1/1/2024). SB 1760 (89th Leg., eff. 9/1/2025) added only a $45 guardianship-transfer filing fee (Est. Code ch. 1023) and did not change the consolidated amounts. Cross-checked against OCA County-Level Court Civil Filing Fees chart (rev. 10/27/2025, txcourts.gov). Verified 2026-06-11.Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the County Court (https://efile.txcourts.gov/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Texas are negotiated, typically 2%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to 4%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%Tex. Est. Code § 352.002 (5% commission on cash receipts/disbursements under § 352.002(a); excludes funds on hand/in financial institutions at death, life insurance, and cash distributions to heirs per § 352.002(b); aggregate cap of 5% of gross FMV). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–4% (industry-typical); statutory rate is not applied directly because the cash-flow base is not collected here.Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to 4%Tex. Est. Code § 352.002 (5% commission on cash receipts/disbursements under § 352.002(a); excludes funds on hand/in financial institutions at death, life insurance, and cash distributions to heirs per § 352.002(b); aggregate cap of 5% of gross FMV). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–4% (industry-typical); statutory rate is not applied directly because the cash-flow base is not collected here.Verified Jun 11, 2026View source of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Texas requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Tex. Est. Code § 305.101Verified Jun 11, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Texas typically runs 6 monthsTex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to 12 monthsTex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006Verified Jun 11, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsTex. Est. Code § 355.060 (121-day bar triggered by optional § 308.054 notice); § 355.001 (no fixed deadline without such notice)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the County Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Dallam County, Texas, you can file at the County Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Dallam County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
- •Original wills (must be filed in person within 3 days)
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the County Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Dallam County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
To file at the County Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Dallam County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the County Clerk.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Dallam County
E-recording
Not available
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $22 |
| Per additional page | $4 |
Base recording fee of $22.00 includes first page ($5.00) plus mandatory per-instrument add-on fees: $10.00 records management and preservation (§ 118.0115), $5.00 courthouse security fund (§ 118.0216), and $2.00 county records archive fee (§ 118.011(b)(2)). Each additional page beyond the first is $4.00. Some counties may assess additional local fees.
Tex. Local Gov't Code § 118.011, § 118.0115, § 118.0216, § 118.011(b)(2)
Transfer tax
None — Texas does not impose a real estate transfer tax. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (Texas has no transfer tax. No exemption needed.). Texas is one of a minority of states with no documentary stamp, deed, or transfer tax on real property conveyances.
Verified March 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Dallam County
Texas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Dallam 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 Texas are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source to 4%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 11, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Dallam County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the County 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.
Statewide Practices
The Blum Firm, P.C.
FirmRanked Tier 1 in Trusts & Estates Law in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers. Specializes in all areas of trust and tax planning and litigation.
Location
777 Main Street, Suite 550Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone
(817) 334-0066
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningEstate LitigationWealth Transfer
Visit site
Germer PLLC
FirmStatewide Texas firm whose Beaumont office serves Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties through the Jefferson County courts. Attorneys Christopher Leavins and Gary Coker represent executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate administration, contested wills, trust litigation, guardianship, and incapacity planning. Five Texas offices let estate disputes that cross regions stay with one firm.
Location
550 Fannin, Suite 400Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone
(409) 654-6700
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbateTrust AdministrationGuardianshipTrust LitigationWill Contests
Visit site
Jackson Walker LLP
FirmJackson Walker's Trusts & Estates group handles probate, trust, and guardianship administration from its Austin office and statewide, serving high-net-worth families and family offices. Attorneys manage will filings, creditor claims, inventories, and estate and gift tax returns, and also handle fiduciary litigation, business succession, and charitable planning structures.
Location
100 Congress Avenue, Suite 1100Austin, TX 78701
Phone
(512) 236-2000
Service Area
Statewide
Trusts EstatesEstate PlanningWealth PlanningTax PlanningProbateTrust AdministrationGuardianship
Visit site
Porter Hedges LLP
FirmLarge Houston firm, founded in 1981, whose Trusts, Probate, and Estate Planning group serves families and fiduciaries across Texas. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, and will and trust drafting, and represents executors and trustees in fiduciary matters. Draws on the firm's tax and energy attorneys for estates holding closely held companies or oil-and-gas interests.
Location
1000 Main Street, 36th FloorHouston, TX 77002
Phone
(713) 226-6000
Established
1981
Service Area
Statewide
TrustsProbateEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust Administration
Visit site
Robbins Estate Law
FirmResponsive estate planning and probate law firm serving Austin, Houston, Dallas, and all of Texas. Helps clients with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure families avoid probate. 10 attorneys across multiple Texas offices.
Location
13625 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Bldg 5, Ste 200Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone
(512) 851-1248
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbateWillsTrustsPower Of AttorneyAsset ProtectionSpecial Needs Planning
Free consultationVisit site
Spencer, Johnson, Harvell & Spencer, PLLC
FirmRecognized as a leader in estate (Will Contests), trust (Trust Disputes), and fiduciary (Executor, Administrator, Trust Officer and Guardian liability) litigation throughout Texas. Represents clients in Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake, Denton, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and other areas across the DFW region.
Location
500 N. Akard Street, Suite 2150Dallas, TX 75201
Phone
(214) 965-9999
Service Area
Statewide
Estate LitigationTrust LitigationWill ContestsTrust DisputesFiduciary LitigationGuardianship
Free consultationVisit site
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
- Tex. Est. Code § 305.101
- Tex. Est. Code § 352.002 (5% commission on cash receipts/disbursements under § 352.002(a); excludes funds on hand/in financial institutions at death, life insurance, and cash distributions to heirs per § 352.002(b); aggregate cap of 5% of gross FMV). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–4% (industry-typical); statutory rate is not applied directly because the cash-flow base is not collected here.
- Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)
- Tex. Est. Code § 355.060 (121-day bar triggered by optional § 308.054 notice); § 355.001 (no fixed deadline without such notice)
- Tex. Est. Code §§ 205.001/205.006
- Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 133.151(a)(1), 135.102(a)(1); SB 41 (87th Leg., eff. 1/1/2022), amounts last amended by SB 1612 (88th Leg., eff. 1/1/2024). SB 1760 (89th Leg., eff. 9/1/2025) added only a $45 guardianship-transfer filing fee (Est. Code ch. 1023) and did not change the consolidated amounts. Cross-checked against OCA County-Level Court Civil Filing Fees chart (rev. 10/27/2025, txcourts.gov). Verified 2026-06-11.
Data sourced from Texas statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the County Court in Dallam County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($360). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Dallam County, that means filing fees ($360 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The County Court in Dallam County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Texas self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Texas probate typically closes in 4–6 months; average estates run 6–12 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Dallam County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.
Learn more
