Overview
Randall County is located in Texas with a population of approximately 150,547. The Randall County Court at Law handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Texas probate is governed by the Texas Estates Code. The process begins with filing an Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary (or Application for Letters of Administration) 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.
Texas offers several simplified procedures for smaller estates, most notably the Small Estate Affidavit. This is available if the value of the estate, excluding the homestead and exempt property, is $75,000 or less. Other options include Muniment of Title (for clearing title to real property when no administration is needed) and Order of No Administration.
Texas does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or executors based on a percentage of the estate value. Instead, executors are entitled to a "reasonable" commission (typically capped at 5% of sums received and paid out), and attorney fees are based on reasonable hourly rates or flat fees.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Randall 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
Randall County Court at Law
Probate matters in Randall County are handled at the Randall County Justice Center.
Address: 2309 Russell Long Blvd, Suite 101, Canyon, TX 79015
Phone: (806) 468-5505 (County Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The County Clerk's office is located in Suite 101 of the Justice Center. This is where all probate documents are filed and records are maintained.
Parking and Access
Free public parking is available in the lot surrounding the Justice Center. Visitors must pass through security screening upon entering the building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate (excluding homestead and exempt property) is valued at $75,000 or less and there is no will, you may be able to file an affidavit to transfer assets without full administration.
- Muniment of Title: If there is a will but no need for administration (no debts other than a mortgage), this streamlined process transfers title to beneficiaries.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Application
If formal probate is needed, file an Application for Probate with the Randall County Clerk. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $472.00)
- Civil Case Information Sheet
Note: Texas mandates e-filing for all attorneys. Pro se litigants (representing themselves) may file in paper, though e-filing is encouraged.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Wait for the citation: The County Clerk will post a citation at the courthouse for at least 10 days before a hearing can be held.
- Publish notice: For independent administrations, you must publish a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Randall County (e.g., Amarillo Globe-News) within one month of receiving Letters.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the application, typically 2-3 weeks after filing (once the 10-day posting period expires). At the hearing, the judge reviews the application and testimony. If approved, the judge signs the order and the clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify secured creditors and beneficiaries within specific statutory timeframes (usually 1-2 months).
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets and file an Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims with the court within 90 days of qualification (or file an Affidavit in Lieu of Inventory if eligible).
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses.
- File federal tax returns if required.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- Close the estate (if required by the type of administration).
Local Requirements
Randall County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys; optional for pro se litigants. The system used is eFileTexas.gov.
- Court Coordinator: Hearings are typically scheduled through the Court Coordinator. Call (806) 468-5520 to set a hearing date after the 10-day posting period has passed.
- Local Rules: Randall County follows the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and local rules for the Panhandle region. Always check with the clerk for specific judge's preferences regarding proposed orders.
- Publication: Notice to creditors is typically published in the Amarillo Globe-News or The Canyon News.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Randall County)
- Probate of Will & Issuance of Letters: approximately $472.00
- Administration (Intestate): approximately $472.00
- Small Estate Affidavit: approximately $362.00
- Muniment of Title: approximately $472.00
- Certified copies of Letters: $5.00 (Clerk's Certificate) + $1.00 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper
Note: Fees are subject to change. Verify exact amounts with the County Clerk.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, credit/debit cards (with a processing fee), cashier's checks, and money orders. Personal checks are generally not accepted from pro se litigants.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Independent Administration): 3-6 months
- Average estates: 6-9 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2+ years
The mandatory 10-day posting period means the initial hearing cannot occur sooner than ~14 days after filing.
Local Resources
Randall County Court Resources
- Court Website: Randall County Clerk
- Probate Fees: Fee Schedule PDF
- Texas Probate Forms: TexasLawHelp.org
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Amarillo Area Bar Association: (806) 371-7226 — amarillobar.org
- Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas: (806) 373-6808 — lanwt.org
- State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral: texasbar.com
Publication
- Amarillo Globe-News: (806) 376-4488 — amarillo.com
- The Canyon News: (806) 655-7121 — canyonnews.com