Tarrant County Probate FAQ
Which County Do I File In
Probate is a county function, so where you file matters. Tarrant County borders several others, and some cities cross the county line into Dallas, Denton, Johnson, Parker, or Ellis. Here is how to know which probate court has your case.
Cross-county suburb map
Several Fort Worth-area cities sit on or across a county line, so the mailing city does not tell you the court. Venue follows the decedent's county of residence (Texas Estates Code § 33.001).
Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie is split across county lines, mostly Dallas and Tarrant with a small southern tip in Ellis County. File in the county the decedent actually lived in, not the postal city.
Mansfield
Most of Mansfield sits in Tarrant County, but the city extends into Johnson and Ellis counties. Confirm the exact address before you decide where to file.
Trophy Club
Trophy Club straddles the Tarrant / Denton county line, so the mailing address alone does not set the court. Venue follows the decedent's county of residence.
Azle
Azle spans the Tarrant / Parker county line. A home on the Parker County side is a Parker County probate even with an Azle address.
Burleson
Burleson is divided between Tarrant and Johnson counties. The county of residence, not the Burleson address, decides which court hears the case.
You must file all probate documents at the county clerk's office in the county where the deceased person lived. For local estates, the Tarrant County Clerk accepts these probate filings and assigns your case to a court to begin the estate administration process.
If the deceased lived in Tarrant County, you must file the initial probate application at the county courthouse. The Tarrant County Clerk accepts probate filings and processes the paperwork to officially open the estate.
The city of Grand Prairie is split across more than one county, so the correct place for probate depends on whether the deceased person lived in the Tarrant County or the Dallas County portion of the city. If the decedent lived in the Tarrant County section of Grand Prairie, you will file the probate application with the Tarrant County Clerk.
Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, contact us for guidance specific to your situation. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.