County Courts
Probate Courts in the Texas Hill Country
Court locations, practical filing notes, and local considerations for each county in the Hill Country and Greater San Antonio area.
Each Texas county has its own probate court with specific procedures, filing requirements, and timelines. Texas has 254 counties — more than any other state — and each one handles probate matters through its county-level court system. For those in the San Antonio area, the San Antonio probate court (Bexar County Probate Court) is the busiest in the region. Understanding the local court where your case will be filed helps you plan more effectively and avoid delays.
"Probate matters in Texas are filed in the county where the decedent resided at the time of death. Each county court operates under the Texas Estates Code but may have local rules regarding scheduling, filing procedures, and required documentation."
What Happens if There Is No Will?
When a Texas resident dies without a will (intestate), the probate court appoints an administrator to manage the estate. Texas law provides a priority order for who may serve: first the surviving spouse, then adult children, then other heirs. Without a will, the estate must go through either independent or dependent administration, and the court will need to formally declare the heirs through a Judgment of Heirship — a separate proceeding that can take weeks to months and requires the appointment of an attorney ad litem to locate all potential heirs.
Bexar County
Bexar County Probate Court (County Clerk's Office, Probate Division)
County Seat: San Antonio
(210) 335-2216
One of the busiest probate courts in Texas. E-filing is required for most filings. Hearings held in the Bexar County Courthouse.
View detailsKendall County
Kendall County Clerk's Office
County Seat: Boerne
(830) 249-9343
Home county for Hill Country Homesteads. As a smaller county, filings may move faster than metro areas. Courthouse in downtown Boerne.
View detailsComal County
Comal County Clerk's Office
County Seat: New Braunfels
(830) 221-1350
Significant county growth may affect court scheduling. New Braunfels is the county seat and probate filings are handled through the County Clerk.
View detailsMedina County
Medina County Clerk's Office
County Seat: Hondo
(830) 741-6040
Smaller county with more personalized service. Hondo is approximately 40 minutes west of San Antonio.
View detailsBandera County
Bandera County Clerk's Office
County Seat: Bandera
(830) 796-3039
Smaller rural county with straightforward filing processes. Bandera is known as the "Cowboy Capital of the World."
View detailsKerr County
Kerr County Clerk's Office
County Seat: Kerrville
(830) 792-2271
Kerrville is the largest city in Kerr County and serves as a regional hub for the upper Hill Country.
View detailsGillespie County
Gillespie County Clerk's Office
County Seat: Fredericksburg
(830) 997-7515
Fredericksburg is a popular retirement and relocation destination with steady probate activity. Strong German heritage community.
View detailsNote: This information is provided as general educational guidance. Court procedures, filing requirements, and schedules can change. Always verify current requirements with the specific court or your estate attorney before filing.
2025-2026 Filing Fee & Rule Updates
Several covered counties have updated probate filing fees, local rules, and procedures. Key changes reviewed in September 2026:
- Bexar County: Fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 (probate of will: $415; small estate affidavit: $360). The three statutory probate courts share Administrative Order 2024-02 for case assignment and docketing, and Probate Court No. 1 has issued Administrative Order 2025-01.
- Kerr County: Updated fee schedule effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Confirm the exact total with the county clerk.
- Medina County: New probate filing total of $360 (local consolidated fee $223 plus state consolidated fee $137) per the county's official fee schedule. No county-specific probate local rules are published; filings follow the statewide Estates Code.
- Kendall County: Contested probate matters are transferred to the 451st District Court, whose local rules were amended March 25, 2025. Probate hearings are held in person; contact the County Clerk to be placed on the docket.
- Comal County: Attorneys must e-file all probate documents (mandatory since January 1, 2015). Typical probate-of-will filing fee is about $360.
- Statewide: The small estate affidavit threshold remains $75,000 under Texas Estates Code Chapter 205 and was not changed by the 2025 legislative session.
- Statewide fees: The base statutory total for a new probate case remains $360 (local consolidated fee $223 plus state consolidated fee $137).
- Texas Estates Code (Sept 1, 2025): The 89th Legislature enacted probate administration changes, including new inventory requirements, standardized personal representative discharge, and enhanced will forgery penalties. See the FAQ for a summary.
- Texas Proposition 8 (Nov 2025): Texas voters permanently banned state estate and inheritance taxes through a constitutional amendment.
Individual county pages have specific details where available. Contact each county clerk's office for the most current fee and procedural information. (Updated: September 14, 2026.)