DECEDENTS' ESTATE EXAMINER & PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, Probate Court 2

Tarrant County, TX

  • Tarrant County, TX
  • $85,316-93,848 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 6 days ago
SummaryBENEFITSTarrant County employees enjoy superior health, retirement, and insurance benefits & 13 County HolidaysFor more information, please click on the link below:IMPORTANT:Please note that the candidate selection for this position is contingent upon final budget approval.The Decedents' Estate Examiner (DEE) & Public Probate Administrator (PPA) will be responsible for assisting with the daily functions of Probate Court 2 including the examination and compliance of all Dependent Administrations in Probate Court 2 and may sometimes assist with Independent Administrations, Guardianships of the Estate and Trusts. The DEE must review the relevant statutes, case law and local procedures that all legal filings are accurate, complete, and compliant with state law. The DEE also monitors and manages compliance workflows, prepares hearing schedules for non-compliant cases, and advises the presiding and associate judges. The DEE may not practice law in either Tarrant County Probate Court, nor accept court appointments from any Tarrant County or District Court, other than acting as the Public Probate Administrator (PPA). The PPA acts as fiduciary when there is a small estate eligible for the PPA to take, gathers information, researches the law, analyzes the case, and determines whether the case is one he or she should take and prosecute (considerations include the size of the estate and assets, if there is anyone to serve as an administrator, whether any known suitable next of kin). If the PPA takes the case, the PPA is then the fiduciary securing and administrating the estate to prevent loss, waste, or misappropriation and ultimately transferring estate assets to any creditors with proper claims and then the person(s) entitled per Texas law.Reports to Probate Court 2 Judge.Supervisory Responsibilities:This position has no supervisory responsibilities.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Decedents' Estate Examiner (DEE)
  • Conducts legal and financial compliance reviews of all filings in Dependent Administrations-including real property sales, personal asset transactions, fee applications, accountings, and estate closures-to ensure full adherence to the Texas Estates Code, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules.
  • Advises presiding and associate judges on legal sufficiency of pleadings and prepares draft orders and show cause documentation to address deficiencies.
  • Independently prioritizes, monitors, and manages non-compliant case reviews, and proactively schedules court hearings without supervisory approval.
  • Coordinates with clerks, County Auditor staff, and external financial or legal professionals to maintain compliance with fiduciary and statutory obligations.
  • Manages an expanding caseload that has tripled since 2019, applying process innovation and prioritization strategies to ensure timely review and statutory compliance of more than 350 active Dependent Administrations.
Public Probate Administrator (PPA)
  • Serves as fiduciary of record for estates without an appointed administrator; exercises legal authority to secure, inventory, manage, and distribute estate assets in accordance with Texas law and fiduciary best practices.
  • Independently determines eligibility and legal strategy for opening estate administration cases, coordinating with financial institutions, family contacts, and other county departments.
  • Performs other duties as assigned under both positions.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must be able to stay organized and know how to prioritize the workload.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Competency with computers and Microsoft Office 365 Suite.
  • Advanced analytical skills.
  • Ability to act as subject matter advisor for probate legal filings, estate accounting, and fiduciary administration.
Minimum Requirements
  • Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
  • Current Texas Bar License in good standing
  • 1-3 full-time years of legal work experience, preferably in a decedent's estates or guardianship
  • Required certification/license.
  • The PPA is a fiduciary and must be bonded.
Preferred Requirements:
  • Accounting experience
IMPORTANT: Incomplete information in the Education (type of degree, field of study, and graduation status), Experience, or Certification/License sections may result in disqualification, as eligibility for minimum qualifications cannot be confirmed. If hired, you must provide proof of educational attainment during Onboarding.Tarrant County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudication in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.Physical Demands and Work Environment & Other Requirements
  • While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent may be required to bend, hear, keyboard, sit, stand, talk, work alone and with others, and work overtime. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs.
Tarrant County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical, dental, and vision coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life and long- term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 13 paid holidays, a Wellness Program, and more.*Note: These benefits are for Tarrant County employees only. For benefit information regarding Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, please contact Patrice Harrison at (817) 884-1227.

Tarrant County, TX