Understanding Probate Appeals in Texas: A Complete Guide
Understanding Probate Appeals in Texas: A Complete Guide
By Texas Appellate Attorney R.F. Michael Snodgrass of Snodgrass Law Firm
Probate matters — including wills, estate administration, heirship determinations, and guardianship disputes — sometimes don’t end the way beneficiaries or interested parties expect. In Texas, when someone believes a probate judge made a legal error, there is the right to appeal that decision. This guide breaks down the probate appeal process in Texas and gives you contact information for all intermediate appellate courts (the Courts of Appeals) that hear probate appeals statewide.
Many people begin their legal research on general sites like Nolo when trying to understand appeals or probate-related issues in Texas. This page is intended to provide Texas-specific appellate guidance tailored to local rules and deadlines.
What Is a Probate Appeal?
A probate appeal is a request to a higher court to review a ruling made by a probate or county court that handled an estate. In Texas:
Probate appeals generally go to one of the Texas Courts of Appeals — intermediate appellate courts that review legal errors from trial courts.
A probate order admitting or denying a will is considered a final, appealable order under Texas law.
Unlike most civil cases that require a “final judgment,” certain probate orders (e.g., heirship, executor appointment) are immediately appealable once entered.
Understanding when and how to file — including deadlines set by the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure — is crucial to preserve your right to appeal.
How the Appeal Process Works in Texas
Here’s a simplified overview of the probate appeal process:
Identify the Final Order: To appeal, there must be a final or appealable probate order (e.g., will admitted, appointment denied).
File a Notice of Appeal: This must be filed with the clerk of the trial court within a set deadline (often 30 days, depending on the order) under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Prepare the Record and Briefs: The appellate record — including transcripts and filings from the probate court — must be assembled and briefs written explaining where legal errors occurred.
Oral Argument / Panel Decision: Courts of Appeals decide cases based on briefs, records, and sometimes oral argument.
Further Review: Decisions from the Court of Appeals can sometimes be reviewed by the Supreme Court of Texas (civil appeals) or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (rare in probate contexts).
For more details on general appeal procedures (including pro se guidance), TexasLawHelp.org has a free overview. You can also learn more on our Probate Appeals in Texas page or read our article “Appealing a Contested Probate Case in Texas.”
All Texas Courts of Appeals: Addresses, Links & Contact Info
In Texas, most probate appeals must be filed with the intermediate appellate court that has jurisdiction over the county where the probate case was heard. Below are the 15 appellate districts — including the newer statewide Fifteenth Court of Appeals — with addresses and links where available:
1st Court of Appeals (Houston)
📍 301 Fannin Street, Room 208, Houston, TX 77002-2066
📞 (713) 274-2700
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/1stcoa
2nd Court of Appeals (Fort Worth)
📍 Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 West Belknap, Suite 9000, Fort Worth, TX 76196-0211
📞 (817) 884-1900
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa
3rd Court of Appeals (Austin)
📍 Price Daniel Sr. Building, 209 West 14th Street, Room 101, Austin, TX 78701
📞 (512) 463-1733
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
4th Court of Appeals (San Antonio)
📍 300 Dolorosa, Suite 3200, San Antonio, TX 78205-3037
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa (General site; specific contact page on TXCourts.gov)
5th Court of Appeals (Dallas)
📍 600 Commerce Street, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75202-4658
📞 (214) 712-3400
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa
6th Court of Appeals (Texarkana)
📍 Address & contact: See TXCourts.gov/Appellate Courts directory
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/6thcoa
7th Court of Appeals (Amarillo)
📍 350 SE 6th Avenue, Suite 2C, Amarillo, TX 79101-2462
📞 (806) 342-2650
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/7thcoa
8th Court of Appeals (El Paso)
📍 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 1203, El Paso, TX 79901-2408
📞 (915) 273-3142
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/8thcoa
9th Court of Appeals (Beaumont)
📍 1085 Pearl Street, Suite 330, Beaumont, TX 77701-3552
📞 (409) 835-8402
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/9thcoa
10th Court of Appeals (Waco)
📍 McLennan County Courthouse, 501 Washington Avenue, Room 415, Waco, TX 76701-1373
📞 (254) 757-5200
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/10thcoa
11th Court of Appeals (Eastland)
📍 Eastland, TX
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/11thcoa (contact info via TXCourts directory)
12th Court of Appeals (Tyler)
📍 1517 West Front Street, Suite 354, Tyler, TX 75702
📞 (903) 593-8471
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/12thcoa
13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi)
📍 901 Leopard Street, 10th Floor, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
📞 (361) 888-0416
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
14th Court of Appeals (Houston)
📍 301 Fannin, Room 245, Houston, TX 77002
📞 (713) 274-2800
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa
15th Court of Appeals (Statewide – Austin)
📍 300 W. 15th Street, Suite 607, Austin, TX 78701
📞 (512) 463-1610
🔗 Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/15thcoa
Contact Snodgrass Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation, by phone or in person, to learn how experienced legal representation can make a meaningful difference in your legal matter. Please email us at info@snodlaw.com or call or text us at 361-239-8332 to set up a consultation at our office, by phone, or on Zoom.
General legal resources like Nolo explain broad concepts, but Texas appellate practice has strict procedural rules and deadlines that often make local counsel essential.
Helpful External Resources for Probate Appeals
Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (PDF) — official rules governing appeals.
Texas Supreme Court & Appellate Case Search (FindLaw) — searchable appellate opinions.
TexasLawHelp.org – Appealing a Judgment — guide for pro se appellants.
3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) — relevant for central Texas probate appeals.
13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) — for South Texas probate cases.
Texas Probate Appeals
By County → Court of Appeals Jurisdiction
There are 14 regional Courts of Appeals with geographic districts covering all 254 counties in Texas. The newly created 15th Court of Appeals has limited or exclusive statewide jurisdiction for certain civil appeals but does not replace the regional Courts of Appeals for ordinary probate appeals. Some counties fall under both the 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals and cases may be assigned randomly or balanced between the two.
Select Counties within Texas (Alphabetical) - Too long to list all 254 Counties here
County - Appellate Court - Link to Court’s Website
Aransas 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Bastrop 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Bee 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Bell 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin)https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Bexar 4th Court of Appeals (San Antonio) https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa
Blanco 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Brazoria 1st & 14th Courts of Appeals (Houston) https://www.txcourts.gov/1stcoa / https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa
Brazos 10th Court of Appeals (Waco) https://www.txcourts.gov/10thcoa
Burnet 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Caldwell 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Cameron 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Collin 5th Court of Appeals (Dallas) https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa
Comal 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Dallas 5th Court of Appeals (Dallas) https://www.txcourts.gov/5thcoa
Denton 2nd Court of Appeals (Fort Worth) https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa
Duval 4th Court of Appeals (San Antonio) https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa
Ellis 10th Court of Appeals (Waco) https://www.txcourts.gov/10thcoa
El Paso 8th Court of Appeals (El Paso) https://www.txcourts.gov/8thcoa
Fort Bend 1st & 14th Courts of Appeals (Houston) https://www.txcourts.gov/1stcoa / https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa
Galveston 1st & 14th Courts of Appeals (Houston) https://www.txcourts.gov/1stcoa / https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa
Goliad 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Guadalupe 4th Court of Appeals (San Antonio) https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa
Harris 1st & 14th Courts of Appeals (Houston) https://www.txcourts.gov/1stcoa / https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa
Hays 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Hidalgo 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Jefferson 9th Court of Appeals (Beaumont) https://www.txcourts.gov/9thcoa
Jim Wells 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Johnson 2nd Court of Appeals (Fort Worth) https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa
Kleberg 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Lee 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Live Oak 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Lubbock 7th Court of Appeals (Amarillo) https://www.txcourts.gov/7thcoa
McLennan 10th Court of Appeals (Waco) https://www.txcourts.gov/10thcoa
Montgomery 9th Court of Appeals (Beaumont) https://www.txcourts.gov/9thcoa
Nueces 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Parker 2nd Court of Appeals (Fort Worth) https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa
Refugio 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
San Patricio 13th Court of Appeals (Corpus Christi) https://www.txcourts.gov/13thcoa
Smith 12th Court of Appeals (Tyler) https://www.txcourts.gov/12thcoa
Tarrant 2nd Court of Appeals (Fort Worth) https://www.txcourts.gov/2ndcoa
Travis 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Williamson 3rd Court of Appeals (Austin) https://www.txcourts.gov/3rdcoa
Webb 4th Court of Appeals (San Antonio) https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About Probate Appeals in Texas (By County)
Can I appeal a probate decision in Nueces County, Texas?
Yes. Probate decisions issued by a Nueces County probate or county court are typically appealed to the 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi, depending on the type of order and procedural posture.
Which appellate court handles probate appeals from Travis County?
Probate appeals from Travis County are generally heard by the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin, which has jurisdiction over most Central Texas probate matters.
What court hears probate appeals from Harris County?
Probate appeals from Harris County are assigned to either the 1st Court of Appeals or the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston. Cases are typically distributed between the two courts.
How do probate appeals work in Bexar County, Texas?
Probate appeals from Bexar County usually go to the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio, which reviews legal errors made by the probate court rather than retrying the case.
Where are probate appeals from Dallas County filed?
Appeals from Dallas County probate courts are filed with the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas, following the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Which court handles probate appeals in Hidalgo County?
Probate appeals from Hidalgo County are typically reviewed by the 13th Court of Appeals, which serves much of South Texas.
Can a probate order from Williamson County be appealed immediately?
Some probate orders from Williamson County, such as orders admitting a will to probate or determining heirship, may be immediately appealable to the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin.
What appellate court hears probate appeals from Fort Bend County?
Probate appeals from Fort Bend County are generally handled by either the 1st or 14th Court of Appeals in Houston, depending on case assignment.
Are probate appeals from Montgomery County heard in Houston?
No. Probate appeals from Montgomery County typically go to the 9th Court of Appeals in Beaumont, not Houston.
Which court reviews probate appeals from San Patricio County?
Probate appeals from San Patricio County are generally heard by the 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi.
This article is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is formed by reading this content.
Last updated January 26, 2026.
