Bell County Probate Guide
Bell County · Updated January 2026
Filing & Fees
Complete Fee Schedule
Probate Filing Fees
Specific fee amounts are not available for this county. Standard probate filing (Independent Executor, Muniment of Title, Small Estate Affidavit) is $360. Cases with heirship determination (Letters of Administration with Heirship, Guardianship) require $500 attorney ad litem deposit for total of $860.
Document Fees
Standard probate filing (Independent Executor, Muniment of Title, Small Estate Affidavit) is $360. Cases with heirship determination (Letters of Administration with Heirship, Guardianship) require $500 attorney ad litem deposit for total of $860.
Required Documents
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Source ↗Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- 0 days
- Creditor Claims
- 4 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 60 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of notice to creditors
- Statute
- Texas Estates Code Chapter 308
Publication Requirements
Notice to Creditors
- Duration
- Once
Notice of Petition/Administration
- Beneficiaries
- Known creditors
- Surviving spouse
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Guardianship
Texas guardianship is governed by the Texas Estates Code and requires court approval.
guardian of person
Guardian responsible for the physical well-being and care of the ward
guardian of estate
Guardian responsible for managing the ward's property and finances
Guardian Training
Court Rules & Orders
Local Rules
- Bell County does NOT have a Statutory Probate Court - probate handled by County Court at Law No. 1
- E-filing mandatory for attorneys since January 1, 2014
- Self-represented parties may file in person or by mail
- Office closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Court uses Odyssey system for records and hearing information
- Separate phone numbers for probate-estates (254-933-5473) and probate-guardianship (254-933-6722)