Overview
Tulsa County is located in Oklahoma with a population of approximately 680,000. The Tulsa County District Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Oklahoma probate is governed by Title 58 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate of Will (if there is a will) or a Petition for Letters of Administration (if there is no will) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Oklahoma offers a Small Estate Affidavit procedure for estates valued at $50,000 or less. There is also a Summary Administration process available for certain estates (e.g., value under $200,000, or decedent has been dead for more than 5 years) which is faster than full probate.
Oklahoma law provides for statutory compensation for personal representatives based on the value of the estate (typically 5% on the first $1,000, 4% on the next $5,000, and 2.5% on amounts over $6,000). Attorneys fees are often based on a similar schedule or reasonable hourly rates.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Tulsa County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Tulsa County District Court
Probate matters in Tulsa County are handled at the Tulsa County Courthouse.
Address: 500 S. Denver Ave., Room 200, Tulsa, OK 74103-3832
Phone: (918) 596-5439 (Probate Division)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Probate Division is part of the Court Clerk's office, located on the 2nd floor of the courthouse.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available at the Civic Center Parkade (paid parking garage) located at 3rd and Denver, just north of the courthouse. Metered street parking is also available around the courthouse perimeter, though spots fill up quickly. Security screening is required upon entry; cell phones are generally allowed but must be silenced in courtrooms.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less and includes no real estate, you may be able to use an affidavit to collect assets without court supervision.
- Summary Administration: Available if the estate is worth $200,000 or less, the decedent has been dead for over 5 years, or the decedent resided outside Oklahoma.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Probate with the Tulsa County Court Clerk. Include:
- Petition for Probate of Will (or Letters of Administration)
- Original will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $214.14)
- Order for Hearing
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Tulsa County. Pro se litigants may file in person.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 10 days before the hearing.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Tulsa County (such as the Tulsa World or Tulsa Business & Legal News). For the Notice to Creditors, publication is typically required once a week for two consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition, typically 2 to 4 weeks after filing. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors (creditors have 2 months to file claims after notice is filed)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 2 months of appointment
- Pay valid creditor claims
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a final accounting and petition for discharge
Local Requirements
Tulsa County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys via the OSCN system; optional for self-represented litigants.
- Bond requirements: A bond is generally required unless waived by the will or by all heirs/beneficiaries.
- Local court rules: Tulsa County has specific local rules regarding the scheduling of hearings and the format of pleadings. Check with the Court Clerk for the "Probate Judge's Procedures."
- Publication: Notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Tulsa County for two consecutive weeks for creditor notices.
Judges in Tulsa County may require a proposed Order to be submitted at the time of the hearing.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Tulsa County)
- Probate Petition: approximately $214.14
- Summary Administration: approximately $135.00 - $214.14
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $1.00 per page + $0.50 certification
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$200 depending on the newspaper
- Guardianship: approximately $214.14
Oklahoma statutes provide a standard fee schedule for personal representatives (executors), though this can be waived or altered by the will.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee). Personal checks are generally not accepted from pro se litigants.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (no disputes, limited assets): 6-12 months
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
Creditors have 2 months to file claims after the Notice to Creditors is filed, which sets a minimum baseline for the process.
Local Resources
Tulsa County Court Resources
- Court Website: courtclerk.tulsacounty.org
- Probate Self-Help: LegalAidOK.org
- Oklahoma Probate Forms: OSCN
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Tulsa County Bar Association: (918) 584-5243 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma: (918) 584-3338 — Low-income assistance
- Oklahoma Bar Association: okbar.org
Publication
- Tulsa World: (918) 581-8500 — Major daily newspaper
- Tulsa Business & Legal News: (918) 583-2121 — Legal notices