What to Do When Someone Dies in Parker County, Texas
Probate in Parker County runs through the County Probate 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 Parker County, settling their estate runs through the County Probate 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.
The County Judge hears probate filings including wills, guardianships, and mental competency hearings. County Clerk filing office at 1112 Santa Fe Drive (main: 817-598-6163; County Clerk direct: 817-598-6154); Probate Court hearings at 1 Courthouse Square, Weatherford TX 76086 (court phone: 817-598-6148, fax: 817-598-6199). Court maintains a rotating ad litem list for mental competency, probate, and guardianship cases.
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 Parker County, probate runs through the County Probate Court at 1112 Santa Fe Drive, Weatherford.
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 Parker County
What probate costs in Parker 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 Probate Court at 1112 Santa Fe Drive, Weatherford.
Probate matters are handled through Probate/Mental Health Division, County Probate Auditor, and Probate Court Office Manager (docket settings). Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Texas 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 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 Probate 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 2.2%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 Probate Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Parker County, Texas, you can file at the County Probate Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms.
Filings here are routed through Probate/Mental Health Division, County Probate Auditor, and Probate Court Office Manager (docket settings). Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
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 Parker 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.
•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 Probate Court is realistic.
Standing order governing self-represented probate applicants
Before You Go
Hearing schedule
Probate docket settings requested by email to the County Probate Court; no fixed public hearing-day schedule published.
What to Bring
To file at the County Probate 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 Parker 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 Parker County are recorded with the County Clerk in Weatherford, TX 76086.
The County Clerk charges $25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page.
Texas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Parker 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 Parker County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the County Probate 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.
Fort Worth solo practice in the Fort Worth Club Building handling independent and dependent probate administration, contested and uncontested matters, and guardianship for Tarrant County families. Catherine Goodman is board certified in estate planning and probate law and takes will contests and trust and fiduciary litigation as well as drafting wills and directives.
Weatherford solo practice on South Main Street with more than 40 years in the North Texas courts. Maintains an active probate litigation practice across Parker, Palo Pinto, Jack, Johnson, Tarrant, Wise, Hood, and Erath counties, and handles estate administration, guardianship, and wills and trusts. Gary F. Westenhover is board certified in estate planning and probate law.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more
Fort Worth elder law and estate planning firm serving Tarrant County and North Central Texas. Handles probate after a death, including independent administration, heirship determination, the 90-day inventory, and creditor notice, plus guardianship, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and supplemental needs trusts. All of its attorneys belong to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
Granbury firm serving Hood, Parker, Johnson, Bosque, and Erath counties, alongside a criminal defense practice. Handles probate, muniment of title for small estates, and out-of-court heirship affidavits, plus wills, trusts including special needs trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipPower Of Attorneyand 2 more
Abilene attorney serving the Big Country and east to Weatherford, Granbury, and Fort Worth. Handles uncontested probate, heirship proceedings, affidavits of heirship, small estate affidavits, and muniment of title, plus wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and transfer-on-death deeds. Publishes flat-fee prices for each and offers a free 15-30 minute initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estateand 2 more
Estate planning and probate firm based in Cedar Park with six more offices across Austin, Round Rock, Bellaire, and Arlington. Handles probate administration and avoidance, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, trust administration, guardianship, will contests, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Eight attorneys split between planning and probate teams.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
Office
13625 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Bldg 5, Ste 200Cedar Park, TX 78613
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.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Parker County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Parker County, Texas.
