March marks Wills & Probate Law Resources Month at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library—a time to focus on organizing, planning, and preparing for the future. Just as many of us embrace spring cleaning to refresh our homes, this month is an ideal opportunity to begin a “spring launch” for your personal affairs: reviewing important documents, considering estate plans, and learning how probate works in Texas.
Whether you are planning ahead or responding to the loss of a loved one, the Law Library offers educational programming and trusted resources to help you take informed, practical steps.
Start Your Research with Our Probate Resource Guide
Our online Probate Resource Page gathers statutes, forms, and plain-language explanations in one convenient place: Legal Research Guide: Probate
This guide connects users to:
Plain-language legal information from trusted sources, such as TexasLawHelp.org, on estate administration, heirship, and related topics.
Links to relevant Texas Estates Code provisions governing probate procedures.
Forms, sample documents, and practice materials available online or through the Law Library’s print and database collections.
Featured Self-Help Guides from Nolo Press
For those ready to take practical steps this spring, the Law Library’s Self-Help Collection includes two highly regarded estate-planning titles from Nolo Press:
Nolo’s Plan Your Estate – A comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide addressing common estate-planning goals such as leaving property, providing for minors, planning for incapacity, avoiding probate, and reducing estate tax concerns.
Estate Planning Basics – A concise introduction to the essential concepts and documents involved in preparing an estate plan.
Both titles are available in our Self-Help Collection in the Law Library. If you would like assistance locating these materials, please ask a member of our reference staff.
Learn about Probate from the Public Probate Administrator
The Office of the Public Probate Administrator was established to assist residents—particularly those without resources or family support—in managing estates and protecting assets from fraud or exploitation. The office serves as a safeguard to ensure property is transferred to rightful heirs and that vulnerable individuals are not taken advantage of during estate administration.
Weekly Wednesday Sessions at the Law Library
The Harris County Public Probate Administrator is available every Wednesday at 2:30 pm in the Law Library’s conference room for in-person educational sessions and general Q&A.
Topics alternate weekly:
Probate 101 Basics – A foundational overview of the probate process
Small Estate Affidavits – Information about simplified procedures that may be available in certain circumstances
These sessions are free and designed to help the public better understand available resources and next steps. Prepare for the sessions by viewing this video on Probate of a Will in Harris County from the Public Probate Administrator, himself, Brandon Cofield.
Planning Ahead as an Act of Care
This month’s theme builds on our recent blog post encouraging advance preparation:
Taking time to prepare documents, organize information, and understand the legal landscape can ease burdens on loved ones and bring peace of mind—much like the clarity that comes from putting one’s home in order for a new season.
This March, we invite you to treat estate planning as part of your spring reset—an investment in organization, preparedness, and care for those who matter most.