What to Do When Someone Dies in Llano, Texas

Probate in Llano County runs through the County Clerk (Probate Division): 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 Llano County, settling their estate runs through the County Clerk (Probate Division). 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 Clerk (Probate Division)

Llano County

Address

107 West Sandstone StreetLlano, TX 78643Mailing: P.O. Box 40

Fax

325-247-2406

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Constitutional County Court. Probate records from 1880 (not available online; call for search assistance). Name search fee: $5.00. Photo ID required for in-person real property filings per HB 16. Marriage licenses by appointment only. County publishes a Pro Se Probate Policy. Mailing: P.O. Box 40, Llano, TX 78643.

Verified July 4, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Llano 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 Llano, probate runs through the County Clerk (Probate Division) at 107 West Sandstone Street, Llano.

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. The 4 monthsTex. Est. Code § 355.060 (121-day bar from a creditor's RECEIPT of the optional § 308.054 notice; § 403.055 is the identical bar in an independent administration); § 355.001 (claims may be presented any time before the estate closes when no § 308.054 notice is sent). Texas has NO claim period running from the § 308.051 published notice.Verified Sep 8, 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 Llano County

What probate costs in Llano 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 Clerk (Probate Division) at 107 West Sandstone Street, Llano.

The County Clerk (Probate Division) charges $360Tex. Loc. Gov't Code §§ 133.151(a)(1) ($137 state consolidated), 135.102(a)(1) ($223 local consolidated); 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. § 133.151(a)(1) ($137) and § 135.102(a)(1) ($223) re-confirmed verbatim 2026-09-08 against tcss.legis.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.133.htm and LG.135.htm (the codified-text backend; the canonical statutes.capitol.texas.gov page is a JS shell that serves zero statute text). Neither section carries an 89th Leg. (2025) amendment; both last amended by SB 1612 (88th Leg.), eff. 1/1/2024.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the County Clerk (Probate Division) (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 2.2%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. 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 Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Texas typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the County Clerk (Probate Division)

If you're handling probate yourself in Llano County, Texas, you can file at the County Clerk (Probate Division) 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 Llano 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 Information

Paper 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 Clerk (Probate Division) is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Llano County Self-Filing Assessment.

Llano 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

Photo ID required for in-person real property filings

Per HB 16, in-person filing of real property documents now requires a valid photo ID.

Source

What to Bring

To file at the County Clerk (Probate Division) 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 Llano 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 Llano County are recorded with the County Clerk in Llano, TX 78643.

The County Clerk charges $25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Llano County

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$25
Each additional page$4
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011(a)(2), § 118.0216, § 118.025

Verified July 14, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Llano County

Texas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Llano 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 2.2%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Tex. Est. Code § 352.051 (reasonable and necessarily incurred fees; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Llano County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the County Clerk (Probate Division), 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.

FirmAustin, TX

Texas Trust Law

Serves 5 counties

Austin firm (formerly The Wiewel Law Firm) at 1601 Rio Grande, practising exclusively in wills, probate, estate planning, asset protection, and special needs planning. Satellite offices in Georgetown, Horseshoe Bay, and Dripping Springs are open by appointment. Brad Wiewel and Rob Hugos are board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
1601 Rio Grande, Suite 550Austin, TX 78701
Free consultation

FirmFredericksburg, TX

Schoessow Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 6 counties

Fredericksburg law firm handling estate planning, probate, real estate, and business matters in the Texas Hill Country. Chris C. Schoessow is board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Gayle D. Schoessow also practises with the firm.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
1325 E. Main StreetFredericksburg, TX 78624

Solo PracticeFredericksburg, TX

The Parker Law Firm

Since 2005 · Serves 6 counties

Fredericksburg law firm focused on estate and business planning, business and real estate transactions, and probate and trust administration. Attorney Eric Parker is board certified in estate planning and probate law and has served the Texas Hill Country since 2005.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
905 S. Adams StreetFredericksburg, TX 78624

FirmDallas, TX

Ford+Bergner LLP

Serves 4 counties

Boutique estate-law firm whose Dallas office sits downtown on Main Street, with Houston and Austin offices and fourteen attorneys. Handles probate administration, fiduciary services, contested guardianships, and estate, trust, and guardianship litigation, and says it has worked in 112 of Texas' 254 counties. Free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more

Office
901 Main Street, 33rd FloorDallas, TX 75202
Free consultation

FirmSan Antonio, TX

Hailey-Petty Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 7 counties

San Antonio and Austin firm handling independent and dependent administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, letters testamentary, and trust administration for families across Bexar, Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Also handles guardianship and Medicaid crisis planning. Free 45-minute estate planning and probate consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway, Suite 130San Antonio, TX 78258
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSan Antonio, TX

Law Offices of Ryan Reiffert, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

San Antonio attorney handling estate matters for business owners and families in Bexar County, with a San Marcos office by appointment. Covers probate and its alternatives — affidavits of heirship, small estate affidavits, and muniment of title — plus trust administration, wills, trusts, asset protection, and business succession planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 6 more

Office
8118 Datapoint DrSan Antonio, TX 78229
See all 15 firms serving Llano County→

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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Texas statutes and official state code. How we research.