Collin County Probate Records

Collin County probate records include various documents filed or generated during probate proceedings in Collin County. These include wills, letters of administration, petitions, dockets, bonds, asset inventories, court orders, and decrees. A probate proceeding is a legal process that distributes a deceased person's estate to heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, or other entitled parties.

The probate process is required in Collin County under certain circumstances: when assets are solely in the deceased’s name if the estate’s value exceeds $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for a married couple, or if there is no designated beneficiary for the deceased’s assets. Probate may also be necessary regardless of whether the deceased left a will or passed away without one.

In Collin County, probate records are maintained by the Collin County Clerk (Probate Clerks) and may be available in paper, microfilm, or digital formats. Individuals may access Collin County probate records for several reasons, including verifying inheritance, resolving estate disputes, and genealogical research.

Are Probate Records Public?

Yes. Probate records in Collin County are public under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes that all government information, including Collin County court records, is presumed to be open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. Also, under Sec. 52.053(b) of the Texas Estates Code, probate records are statutorily deemed public records open for inspection. To this effect, once a document is filed with the Collin County Probate Court as part of a probate proceeding, it becomes a public record that anyone can request and review.

While probate records in Texas are public under the TPIA and Estates Code, certain documents or information within these records may be restricted to protect sensitive information and maintain privacy. Examples include medical records, financial statements, and personal data like SSNs.

What is Probate Court in Collin County?

A probate court handles the administration of deceased persons' estates. It validates wills, appoints executors or administrators, supervises asset distribution, and resolves disputes. In addition to estate matters, probate courts also oversee the appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults and conservatorships to manage the financial affairs of those unable to do so themselves.

The Collin County Probate Court handles probate, inheritance, guardianship, and involuntary mental commitment cases in Collin County. The court's address is listed below.

Collin County Probate Court
Russell A. Steindam Courts Building
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12010
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-6463
Email: probate@co.collin.tx.us.

Probate Court Case Lookup

The Collin County Clerk's Office—specifically, the County Court at Law Clerks—Probate Clerks—is the custodian of probate records in Collin County. To request and review Collin County probate case information, interested individuals should visit the probate clerk’s office during business hours and use the public computers to view these records online.

Russell A. Steindam Courts Building
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12360
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-6463
Fax: (972) 548-6468

Alternatively, call (972) 548-6461 to schedule appointments to review a paper file and obtain copies of these records. Additionally, they may find these records online via the Collin County “Judicial Online Search” portal.

The probate clerk’s office charges $5.00 for searches, $1.00 per plain copy, and $5.00 per certified document, plus an additional $1.00 per page. A valid case number or a case party's name is typically required to facilitate the inspection and review of probate records in Collin County.

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

Interested persons can use the Collin County “Judicial Online Search” portal to find and review Collin County probate case records. Probate record lookups via the portal are free. Additionally, individuals can visit and use the public computers at the probate clerk's office to review these records online or request non-certified and certified copies of the documents. Note that in-person searches at the clerk's office and obtaining copies of the records will attract predetermined fees as outlined in the Probate Fee Schedule.

Alternatively, individuals may find Collin County probate records online via third-party aggregator websites. These sites aggregate public court records, including probate records, and provide them through their search services to the public. Interested persons can search these sites by a party's name or valid case number. While basic searches on these sites may be free, fees may be charged for detailed records.

How Long Does Probate Take in Texas

Probate cases in Texas can typically take six to 12 months or longer to be completed. Generally, factors that can influence probate time in Texas include:

• Size and complexity of the estate
• Type of probate proceeding
• Contested wills
• Tax issues
• Court backlog.

Are Wills Public Record?

Yes. A will becomes a public record once filed for a probate process. This allows anyone to review it by requesting it from the Collin County Clerk's Office. However, if a will is not yet in a probate process, it is not considered public material. In such instances, access to the will is limited to the executor or individuals authorized by the will.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

A will is confidential and private while the testator is alive. Unless the testator shares it, there is no way to know whether a will exists. However, after the testator has passed, the will can become public if submitted for probate, and copies of it can be requested from the county clerk or probate court in the relevant jurisdiction. Alternatively, interested parties can contact the deceased’s attorney or executor for information.

Collin County Family Court Case Search

Collin County district courts—including the 199th, 219th, 296th, 366th, 380th, 401st, 416th, 417th, 429th, 468th, 469th, 470th, 471st, 493rd, and 494th district courts—have jurisdiction over family law cases, including divorce, child custody, and support. The district clerk is the custodian of records of cases adjudicated in these courts.

To search for family court cases in Collin County, interested individuals should submit a completed “records request form” in person, by mail, or by e-mail to the Collin County District Clerk.

Collin County District Clerk
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132
McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-4320 (Main line)
Phone: (972) 548-4106 (Records Line).

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 578
McKinney, TX 75070.

Alternatively, individuals can search these records online through the Collin County “Judicial Online Search” portal. Search and copy fees apply.

Note: Certain family law records are not available to the public and can only be accessed by the individuals directly involved or authorized entities. These include adoption records, sealed or expunged records, and records related to domestic abuse victims.