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Probate Court No. 2's Pro Se Policy (as of Jan. 1, 2018, issued under Judge Brooke Allen and still posted with the court's decedent-estate forms): no personal representative of a decedent's estate is appointed unless represented by a Texas-licensed attorney (Steele v. McDonald); a pro se applicant may represent only themself, never other beneficiaries; a pro se may probate a will as a muniment of title only if four years have not elapsed, the original self-proved will signed by the decedent and two witnesses is filed, the applicant is the sole beneficiary and the only debts are secured by real-estate liens; filing with the Probate Clerk (Rm. B90), the posting period, setting the hearing by telephone, completing the Proof and Order in advance, and the in-person hearing procedure.
Texas > Tarrant County > Probate Court No. 2 — self-represented applicants in decedents' estates (appointments and muniments of title).
"1. The Court does not allow a personal representative, which includes an independent executor, dependent executor, independent administrator, temporary administrator, or dependent administrator, of a decedent's estate to be appointed unless represented by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Texas. See Steele v. McDonald, 202 S.W.3d 926, 928-29 (Tex. App.—Waco 2006, no pet.). 2. Pro se representation in these circumstances is the practice of law without a license … 3. Pro se applicants are allowed to represent only themselves before the court. Pro se applicants are not allowed to represent other beneficiaries named in the Will because these acts involve the practice of law. 4. The Court allows a pro se applicant to probate a will as a muniment of title (no personal representative is appointed and no letters are issued) if all of the following circumstances are met: a. Four years have not elapsed since the decedent's death; b. The original Will is filed with the court; c. The Will was signed by the decedent and at least two witnesses; d. The Will has a valid self-proving affidavit; e. The applicant is the sole beneficiary under the Will; and f. There are no unpaid debts owed by the decedent other than debts secured by liens on real estate. … 8. The original Will and Application should be filed with the Probate Clerk in Rm. B90 in the basement of the Old County Courthouse at 100 W. Weatherford. … 9. After filing, the Clerk will issue citation which must be posted at the Courthouse until the next Monday to occur after 10 days from the date of filing. … 10. You must call 817.884.2794 to set a personal hearing on your Application on the Return Date or on any day occurring after this Return Date. 11. Prior to the hearing, you should complete a Proof of Death and Other Facts and the Order Admitting Will to Probate as Muniment of Title. … Please do not sign the Proof prior to your hearing. 12. At the hearing, you must appear in person before the Judge and present your testimony. …" (Pro Se Policy as of January 1, 2018; contact Steve Fields, 817.884.1049.)
"1. The Court does not allow a personal representative, which includes an independent executor, dependent executor, independent administrator, temporary administrator, or dependent administrator, of a decedent's estate to be appointed unless represented by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Texas. See Steele v. McDonald, 202 S.W.3d 926, 928-29 (Tex. App.—Waco 2006, no pet.). 2. Pro se
Reviewer note: Own-site document (text layer, 4,117 chars) read in full 2026-09-06; quoted verbatim. Issued on Judge Brooke Allen's letterhead (the court's judge in 2018); the current judge per OCA and the court page is Brook Bell — court-scoped, no judge join; the filing fee and clerk names printed are 2018 facts. Composed benchpath-ajr8-tarrant (own-site lane).
In justice-court eviction cases: the citation sets a personal-appearance trial day not less than 10 nor more than 21 days after the petition is filed; a written answer is permitted but NOT required (appearing on the trial day is what matters); no trial may be held until 4 days after service; and an appeal must be perfected within 5 days after the judgment is signed.
Policy Regarding Pro Se Applicants — Harris County Probate Courts (Probate Court No. 1 posting) — posted on the court's own website — the court-procedure tier (standing procedures, policies, and preferences the court itself publishes), distinct from the TOPICs-registered local-rules tier (TRCP 3a registration applies to local rules). Operative requirements quoted verbatim; the posted document is the controlling text.