How probate works in Ector County: the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2 record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Ector County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
E-filing
County forms
Fax
Departments
About the court
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
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 Ector County, probate runs through the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2 at 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 111, Odessa.
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 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsTex. Estates Code §§ 308.051-308.056, 355.001-355.004, 355.060, 355.064, 355.102Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the written notice the representative sends them, not from publication.
What probate costs in Ector 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, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2 at 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 111, Odessa.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: A probate record search with certificate costs $5 for each name and each ten-year period.
The County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2 charges $360Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 133.151(a)(1), 135.102(a)(1) (consolidated filing fees); SB 41 (87th Leg., Acts 2021, ch. 472)Verified Oct 17, 2026 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 Texas are negotiated, typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage): 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.
Texas allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payTex. Est. Code §§ 352.002, 352.003Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Texas 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 Tex. Est. Code § 305.101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Texas typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Ector County, Texas are filed at the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2.
Texas requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, and informal probate is not available; a qualifying small estate can still be collected without one.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Ector County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Citation on an application is posted at the courthouse until the first Monday after ten days from filing; the clerk writes this return date on the filing receipt.
The applicant then calls the court to set a hearing on or after the return date.
SourceFiled with the opening petition at the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2: Application to admit the will to probate and/or for letters testamentary or of administration (Tex. Est. Code ch. 256 / ch. 301; contents per § 301.052) — drafted by counsel, no statewide form; Original will and any codicils, filed with the application (Tex. Est. Code ch. 256); Certified copy of the death certificate / proof of death; Citation issued by the county clerk and served — by posting where the will is produced in court — before the court may act on the application, and proof of that service (Tex. Est. Code §§ 258.001, 258.003; §§ 256.151(4), 301.151(4))Tex. Est. Code ch. 256 (probate of wills / application; § 256.052 contents; § 256.003 four-year limit to admit a will), ch. 301 (application for letters testamentary or of administration; § 301.052 contents; § 301.002 four-year deadline to apply for letters), ch. 305 (qualification & bond), ch. 306 (granting & issuance of letters); ch. 401-404 (independent administration)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
In Texas a death is registered locally, and in Ector County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by County Clerk, Ector County as well as by Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section.
Vital Records Office Record
Ector County · County Clerk
Phone
Office
Website
Certified copies
Order online
Local rule
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $21 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $4 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Ector County · Ector County Medical Examiner's Office
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Mail and offices
Fax
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
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 Ector County are recorded with the County Clerk at 300 North Grant Avenue, Room 111, Odessa, TX 79761. Phone: 1-432-498-4130.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 707, Odessa, TX 79760.
The County Clerk charges $25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page.
Recording Office Record
Ector County
Phone
Office
Website
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $25 |
| Each additional page | $4 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011(a)(2), § 118.0216, § 118.025
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Texas allows independent administrationTex. Est. Code §§ 401.001 (testate/will), 401.002 (testate/agreement), 401.003 (intestate/agreement)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Texas are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask an Ector County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the County Court, County Court at Law and County Court at Law No. 2, 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.
FirmMidland, TX
Midland firm on N. Marienfield serving the Permian Basin since 1959. Helps families administer a deceased relative's estate under a will or under Texas law where there is none, and represents executors, administrators, and trustees in estate administration proceedings alongside trust and estate tax planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 3 more
Solo PracticeMidland, TX
Permian Basin probate and estate planning attorney in Midland, serving Midland, Ector, Howard, Martin and seven more West Texas counties. Handles independent and dependent administration, muniment of title, determination of heirship, ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents, and small estate affidavits, plus wills and powers of attorney.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawTrustsWills
Solo PracticeRockwall, TX
Rockwall solo practice serving Rockwall, Dallas, Kaufman, and Collin counties, and Texas statewide since 1994. Michael Cramer drafts wills, revocable living trusts, and special needs trusts, handles trust administration, and litigates will and trust contests. Services are offered in English and Spanish, and the initial case evaluation is complimentary.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTrust Litigationand 3 more
FirmBeaumont, TX
Beaumont-headquartered Texas firm whose estate group serves Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties from its home office. Principals Christopher D. Leavins and Gary W. Coker advise executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on settling estates and managing trusts, handle guardianships, and litigate will contests and trust disputes. Offices in five Texas cities.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
FirmAustin, TX
Texas firm whose Trusts & Estates group works from six offices statewide, including Austin, for families, family offices, and closely held businesses. Handles probate, trust, and guardianship administration, fiduciary advice to executors and trustees, and trusts and estates litigation, alongside wealth transfer, business succession, and charitable planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
FirmFrisco, TX
Frisco firm established in 1994 serving Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties, including clients settling a Texas estate from out of state. Its seven lawyers counsel executors through estate administration and probate, prepare death tax and fiduciary income tax returns, and resolve estate and trust conflicts. Most partners are board certified in estate planning and probate law.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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.
Data sourced from Texas statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Free tools for settling an estate in Texas: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Texas.
Settling an estate in Texas: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysTex. Estates Code §§ 309.001, 309.051, 309.056, 309.101Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsTex. Estates Code §§ 308.051-308.056, 355.001-355.004, 355.060, 355.064, 355.102Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Settling a trust in Texas happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteTex. Prop. Code § 111.001 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Texas requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, and informal probate is not available; a qualifying small estate can still be collected without one.
Browse vetted Texas attorneys handling probate matters.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Enter the estate value to see Texas attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
Enter the estate value to see whether Texas lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
