Probate courts are usually trial courts with the authority to hear only matters relating to wills, estates, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. Courts dedicated to these matters are usually located in populous counties and are said to have exclusive jurisdiction (authority) over such matters within the county.
In Texas, probate courts are specialized courts that handle matters related to the administration of deceased persons' estates, including the probate of wills, and issues concerning guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults. These courts are known as statutory probate courts and are primarily found in the state's more populous counties. Statutory probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters within their respective counties, meaning they are the only courts that can hear these types of cases in those areas. In counties without a statutory probate court, County Courts at Law or Constitutional County Courts typically handle probate matters, and while they may have broader jurisdiction over other types of cases, they also exercise probate jurisdiction. The specific jurisdiction and procedures of probate courts in Texas are governed by the Texas Estates Code and other relevant state statutes.
