Probate Court

Probate Court’s Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic

Update as of July 13, 2020 -  In response to orders issued by the City of Austin, Travis County, the Texas Supreme Court, and the State of Texas, all hearings at the Probate Court shall continue to be conducted by video (through Zoom) or telephonically if video is unavailable. Until further order of this Court, there will be no in-person hearings for probate or guardianship matters held at the Probate Court. When setting a hearing, please inform the Court whether the hearing can be conducted either by video through Zoom or by telephone.

• Administrative Order 2020-13 signed May 29, 2020 - Order Updating Changes in Court Proceedings Regarding Probate and Guardianship Matters in Response to the COVID-19 Epidemic.
• Administrative Order 2020-12 signed April 2, 2020 - Order Creating Temporary Changes to Personal Service and Attorney ad Litem/Guardian ad Litem Visits in Certain Guardianship Proceedings.
• 18th Emergency Order issued by the Texas Supreme Court -  Issued on June 29, 2020 - Order extending amended prior emergency orders issued by the Texas Supreme Court until August 31, 2020.
• Although no hearings are being in person, court proceedings remain open to the public. If you would like to watch a hearing, you can view it on the Probate Court’s YouTube channel. Here is a letter from the Office of Court Administration explaining the necessity to allow the public to access virtual hearings.

Clarification Regarding Filing an Original Will with the Clerk in a Probate Proceeding.

The original will can be filed with the Clerk’s Office in the following three ways:

1. Mailed via USPS to Travis County Clerk, ATTN: Probate Clerk, P.O. Box 149325, Austin, TX 78714.  All of the regular mail sent to the Clerk’s Office is sent here first to get checked in and logged.  It is then distributed where it needs to go either same day or next day.
2. Certified mail to 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751.  It is to ensure the mail is checked in and logged. Certified will ensure a confirmation as well. If you choose to mail the will to the Clerk’s Airport location, please allow 2-3 additional business days before requesting a hearing because the will needs to be routed to the Clerk’s Office at 1000 Guadalupe before it is filed into the cause.
3. Hand Delivered to the Clerk’s Office at 1000 Guadalupe St., Room 222 by appointment only.  If you choose to hand deliver the will, you are required to make an appointment with the County Clerk’s Office beforehand.  In order to schedule a time to deliver the will, email the Clerk at [email protected] or call (512) 854-5958. 
   • An appointment is required to ensure the deputy will let you into the Courthouse and that the clerk will be ready for your arrival.  At the appointment time, the clerk will meet you outside on the 2nd floor and take the will.  They will file mark copies if needed and sign if needed.
   • FEDEX can be sent up for the attorney at their appointment time as well.  Same rules apply.
   • Please note that in order to be allowed to enter the Courthouse, any person will need to be wearing a mask and will need to allow the deputies to take their temperature.
   • For everyone’s safety - please wait for the clerk to open the door and take the will.  Please remain in the hallway when a clerk answers the door.