Estate Planning & Probate in Polk County, Texas
Most Polk County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the County Court at Law.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the County Court at Law, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Polk County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Polk County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Polk County→The Probate Process in Polk 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 Polk County, probate runs through the County Court at Law at 101 W. Mill Street, Suite 265, Livingston.
Full Polk Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
County Court at Law
Polk County
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Polk County
$25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $29; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the County Court at Law
The County Court at Law schedules probate hearings Probate hearings scheduled by contacting the County Court at Law at 936-327-6856; no fixed public probate docket day published.
Will safekeeping program available for $16. Court scheduling: contact County Court at Law at 936-327-6856. Letters Testamentary are always original issuances; no copies made. Only executors, administrators, guardians, or attorneys of record may receive Letters. $5 search fee per request. Online research website available for probate document copies.
Texas Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Polk County.
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