Travis County Probate Court
Judge Guy Herman was first elected Travis County Probate Judge in 1985, and he has worked tirelessly to serve the residents of Travis County ever since. In this capacity, he adjudicates matters relating to wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments. In his role as probate judge, he has seen Travis County residents at their saddest times – probating the estate of a loved one — and at their most trying times — creating a guardianship for a loved one needing protection of the Court or
helping families with young adults resolve a mental health crisis. protection of the Court or helping families with young adults resolve a mental health crisis. In those sad and trying times, his mission is to be conscientious and considerate of the complicated emotions that arise, especially when a will or guardianship is contested. In striving to settle disputes fairly, he also works hard to counsel families to resolve their disagreements with love rather than rancor. It has been his privilege to serve Travis County residents in their times of grief and sadness.
When he adjudicates guardianships, Judge Herman starts with a baseline presumption of competence and strives to preserve as much autonomy as the proposed ward can safely manage.
Travis County’s population has more than doubled since he became probate judge, and Judge Herman has grown the Court along with it. Over the years, he has trained and overseen four associate judges: Susan Whitman, Laura Jacks, Dan Prashner, and Tom Ruffner. During his tenure, Judge Herman has also hired exceptional attorneys as Law Clerks, many of whom now practice in town at prominent probate law firms. Judge Herman’s staff is highly experienced and extremely knowledgeable in probate, guardianship, and mental health law, and keep the court running smoothly.
