GUARDIANSHIP PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hearing requests are to be submitted through our website.
- Your hearing is not set until you have received confirmation directly from the Court.
- Uncontested guardianship hearings are held via Zoom. If you wish to have your hearing in person, please let the Court know in advance.
- Uncontested guardianship dockets are on Wednesdays at 9:30 am. Applicants and their attorneys should be logged in at 9:00 am to speak to Court staff to discuss their responsibilities as guardian.
- This Court requires that Applicants be at their attorney’s office for the Zoom hearing. Please confirm that your video & audio work properly. Any excessive technical issues will result in your hearing being passed.
PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A HEARING REQUEST:
- Verify JBCC registration and background checks are complete, and the guardianship training certificate has been filed for EACH applicant.
- Citations (Personal & Posting), waivers & notices have been proofread for typos and misspellings of names.
- Verify that your examination date is within 120 days of the filing of your application, and not the signature of the physician.
- Verify that the required AAL fees have been deposited with the Clerk’s office. Please be advised that effective March 14, 2025, the Harris County Probate Courts require that Applicants pay $750.00 as security for Attorney Ad Litem fees prior to setting a hearing.
- Attorneys: Please make sure that your guardianship certification is current and active. If it has expired, please renew and submit a copy of your renewal to the Court.
IN PREPARATION OF YOUR SCHEDULED HEARING:
- Proposed Orders must be filed no later than noon on Monday before your hearing to provide the Court ample time to review and address any necessary changes.
- Attorney Ad Litem: If your requested fee amount is above the standard amount, please discuss it with the Court prior to the hearing.
BONDS:
- Guardian of the Person: A $25.00 cash bond per Applicant will be set, unless advised otherwise.
- Guardian of the Estate: A surety bond will be ordered in the amount deemed necessary to cover the assets of the estate.
- Attorneys: If the specific value of the estate is not provided in your Application, please contact the Court with an estimated value no later than the Monday before your hearing. If there is no information regarding value at the time of appointment, a minimum bond of $13,000 will be issued and increased as necessary after an Inventory is filed.
*** YOUR HEARING WILL BE PASSED IF ALL REQUIREMENTS AS PROVIDED ABOVE HAVE NOT BEEN MET. ***
Effective Immediately: Please contact the County Clerk's Office @ 713-274-8585 to find out the filing fees. Their mailing address is listed below.
Harris County Clerk
Attn: Probate Department
P.O. Box 1525
Houston, TX 77251-1525
Personal checks are not acceptable by the Clerk's office.