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Travis County Probate Court

Probate Court Staff...

See the list below for whom to call when you have a question for the Probate Court or download our one-page list of whom to call (PDF file). Please call the Court Coordinator when you’re not sure about the right person to call.

Please note that Court staff can tell you about the services of the Court and can answer questions about how the Court works. But Court staff cannot give legal advice or answer legal questions.

If you need someone to research the law and give you legal advice, you should hire an attorney.

For questions about fees, filings, and the status of filings, call the County Clerk at (512) 854-5958. Inventories, attorneys’ fees, Small Estate Affidavits, and routine applications are held at least 10 days before review, so wait at least 11 days before calling to ask whether an order has been signed.

Court Coordinator:

Tanya Scanlon
(512) 854-9258

Call the Court Coordinator:

  • when you want to schedule (or change) a hearing or jury-trial setting
  • when you’re not sure about the right person to call
  • when you have a question about . . .

    • Judge Herman’s calendar
    • Judge Jacks' calendar
    • procedure for ad litem appointments
    • condemnation proceeding
  • email Tanya.Scanlon@co.travis.tx.us to register for a First Friday CLE program

Law Clerk to Judge Herman:

Clint Alexander
(512) 854-9283

Call the Law Clerk when you have a question about:

  • the Uncontested Probate Docket
  • procedural issues related to contested hearings other than guardianships (but not strategy questions)

Court Investigator:

Jamie MacLean
(512) 854-4978

Call the Court Investigator when you have a question about:

  • anything involving potential guardianships
  • anything about ongoing guardianships of the person except annual reports
  • anything about §867 or §887 trust applications

Guardianship Coordinator

Michael Gianotti
(512) 854-4359

Call the Guardianship Coordinator when you have a question about:

  • annual reports in ongoing guardianships of the person
  • the Court Visitor program

Court Auditor:

Jana Cotton
(512) 854-9731

Attorneys (and their staff) may call the Court Auditor with questions about:

  • accountings, including § 867 trust accountings
  • applications for successor trustees
  • bonds
  • safekeeping agreements
  • commissions
  • applications and orders to close and discharge
  • compliance and show-cause hearing issues (except § 128A compliance)

Court Administrator:

Christy Nisbett
(512) 854-9559

Call the Court Administrator:

  • before you set a hearing for a temporary administration or temporary guardianship
  • when you have a question about . . .
    • general Court policy
    • § 128A compliance docket
    • a County-paid service, including questions about vendor numbers
    • the Court’s website

Court Reporter:

Melissa Voigt
(512) 854-9086

Call the Court Reporter when you need a hearing transcript.

Mental Health Public Defenders:

Stan Kerr
(512) 419-2720

Dan Prashner
(512) 419-2085

Associate Judge:

Laura R. Jacks
Phone: (512) 854-9258

Attorneys only may call Judge Jacks with procedural or substantive questions about the following matters in non-contested cases and with only procedural questions about these matters in contested cases:

  • inventories
  • attorneys’ fees
  • monthly allowances
  • the Sales Docket
  • the Dismissal Docket
  • Small Estate Affidavits
  • emergency funeral and burial expenses
  • access to safety deposit boxes
  • settlement agreements
  • applications to partition
  • applications for partial distribution
  • miscellaneous motions sent to the Court on submission including motions to substitute or withdraw


Last Modified:
Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:19 PM

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