The Dallas County Probate Courts are at the George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, 7th Floor, Dallas, TX 75202. You can contact the Dallas County Clerk’s Probate Division at (214) 653-7099 or visit the Dallas County website for more details.

Some well-regarded estate planning law firms in Dallas include The Ashmore Law Firm, Parvin Law Group, and Crain & Wooley. These firms specialize in wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration.

If you have complex assets like investments or business interests, you’ll likely pay more for an estate plan. More detailed estate goals and requests often require sophisticated drafting, increasing costs.

For those with common assets, such as cars, a single property, and brokerage accounts, a simple will may be enough. Many attorneys charge a flat rate of around $3,900 for this service (Robbins Estate Law), though more affordable options are available.

For more complex estates, a revocable trust-based estate plan is often recommended for a smoother, more efficient asset transfer. These plans typically start between $4,900 and $5,900, with costs rising based on complexity.

Online will creation services offer more affordable options:
• LegalZoom: Starts at about $89.
• Trust & Will: Offers complete will packages for $199.
• BetterEstate: Provides a free digital estate concierge and charges $149 for a Texas will.

Dallas residents can access several resources for estate planning:
• TexasLawHelp.org – Free estate planning guides and will forms.
• Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP) – Free will clinics for qualifying individuals.
• The Senior Source – Estate planning workshops for seniors.
• Dallas Bar Association – Public probate and estate planning seminars.

Creating a will online can be an efficient and affordable option, but it’s essential to choose a platform that meets Texas legal requirements. Texas law currently requires a physical paper will with wet signatures, as fully electronic wills (digital-only execution) are not yet recognized.

Popular will maker platforms in Texas include:
• LegalZoom – Guided questionnaire for a Texas-compliant will
• Quicken WillMaker – Customizable will-drafting software
• Rocket Lawyer – Online will drafting with attorney consultations
• Trust & Will – Texas-specific will templates with signing instructions
• FreeWill – Generates a simple will PDF at no cost
• BetterEstate – Free digital consultation with flexible Texas will creation

For a full comparison, see our 2025 Will Maker Review.

Dallas County is served by several statutory probate judges:
• Judge Julia R. Malveaux – Probate Court No. 1
• Judge Ingrid Michelle Warren – Probate Court No. 2
• Judge Margaret Jones-Johnson – Probate Court No. 3
Each court handles estate probate, guardianships, and related cases.

• Home Safe or Safe Deposit Box – Keep it in a fireproof safe or bank vault.
• Dallas County Clerk’s Office – Deposit your will for safekeeping for a one-time $5 fee. We recommend this option. 
• With Your Attorney – Many estate lawyers offer secure storage.

1. File a probate application at the Dallas County Probate Court.
2. A short hearing is required to admit the will.
3. Court Fees: Probate filing fees range from $300 – $500, depending on case complexity.

• Simple uncontested probate: 2 – 6 months (if independent administration applies).
• Complex probate or disputes: Can take 1 – 2 years or longer.
Texas allows independent administration, reducing court involvement and speeding up the process.

Check out our in-depth blog post on estate planning in Texas, with a special focus on finding the right Dallas will lawyer. We also have a detailed guide on how to make a will in Texas, covering key state-specific rules.