Ector County Probate Guide

Ector County · Updated January 2026

Professional Reference

Complete reference

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Filing & Fees

Complete Fee Schedule

Probate Filing Fees

Filing Type	Fee
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed)	$360

Accepted Payment: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card

Note: Filing fees effective January 1, 2022. Probate with posting is $468. Standard probate transfer (no posting) and Small Estate Affidavit is $360. Contact County Clerk Probate Division for complete fee schedule.

Document Fees

Certified Copy (per page)

Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card

Filing fees effective January 1, 2022. Probate with posting is $468. Standard probate transfer (no posting) and Small Estate Affidavit is $360. Contact County Clerk Probate Division for complete fee schedule.

Required Documents

Certified Death Certificate
Order 10-15 certified copies from Texas DSHS Vital Statistics
Original Will
Original will if one exists
Application to Probate Will
County-specific form
Oath of Executor/Administrator
Must be signed and notarized

E-Filing & Filing Methods

Source ↗

eFileTexas Case Search Probate Forms

Filing Methods: in person, mail, e file

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

Guardian training requirements vary by county. Contact local court for approved providers.

Court Rules & Orders

Local Rules

Ector County does NOT have a Statutory Probate Court - probate handled by County Court and County Courts at Law
E-filing mandatory for attorneys since January 1, 2014
Self-represented parties may file in person or by mail
Probate Pro Se (Filing Without An Attorney) policy available on website
Small Estate Affidavit Checklist with distribution chart available
Probate records on computer from 1992

Sources (6)