In the United States, the number of probate courts varies significantly by state. Each state has its own system and structure for handling probate matters. In some states, probate cases are handled by specialized probate courts, while in others, they are managed by general jurisdiction courts, such as circuit or superior courts.
Alabama
- Probate Courts in each county (67 counties)
- Website: Alabama Probate Courts
- Additional Information: Each county has a probate court that handles matters including estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
Alaska
- Superior Courts in each judicial district handle probate cases
- Website: Alaska Court System – Probate
- Additional Information: Probate cases are managed by the Superior Courts, which handle estate settlements, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Arizona
- Superior Courts in each county (15 counties)
- Website: Arizona Superior Courts
- Additional Information: Probate cases, including wills and estates, are handled by the Superior Courts in each county.
Arkansas
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each county (75 counties)
- Website: Arkansas Judiciary
- Additional Information: Each county’s Circuit Court has a Probate Division that deals with probate and estate matters.
California
- Superior Courts in each county (58 counties) with probate divisions
- Website: California Courts – Probate
- Additional Information: Probate divisions handle all probate-related cases, including wills, estates, and guardianships.
Colorado
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (22 districts)
- Website: Colorado Judicial Branch – Probate
- Additional Information: District Courts have a Probate Division that oversees probate matters, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Connecticut
- Probate Courts in each probate district (54 districts)
- Website: Connecticut Probate Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Courts handle a wide range of matters including estates, trusts, and guardianships.
Delaware
- Court of Chancery in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties
- Website: Delaware Court of Chancery
- Additional Information: The Court of Chancery handles probate cases, including will contests and estate disputes.
Florida
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each county (67 counties)
- Website: Florida Courts
- Additional Information: Each county’s Circuit Court has a Probate Division that handles estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Georgia
- Probate Courts in each county (159 counties)
- Website: Georgia Probate Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Courts deal with wills, estates, and guardianships, as well as other probate matters.
Hawaii
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each circuit (4 circuits)
- Website: Hawaii State Judiciary – Probate
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
b
- Magistrate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (7 districts)
- Website: Idaho Judiciary
- Additional Information: Probate cases are managed by the Magistrate Division within the District Courts.
Illinois
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each county (102 counties)
- Website: Illinois Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Divisions handle estate and guardianship matters.
Indiana
- Probate Division of the Circuit and Superior Courts in each county (92 counties)
- Website: Indiana Judiciary
- Additional Information: Probate cases, including wills and estates, are managed by the Circuit and Superior Courts.
Iowa
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (8 districts)
- Website: Iowa Courts
- Additional Information: District Courts’ Probate Divisions handle estate and guardianship matters.
Kansas
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (31 districts)
- Website: Kansas Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: Probate matters are managed by the Probate Division of the District Courts.
Kentucky
- District Courts in each county (120 counties)
- Website: Kentucky Court of Justice
- Additional Information: District Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Louisiana
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each parish (64 parishes)
- Website: Louisiana Supreme Court
- Additional Information: District Courts have a Probate Division that manages estate and guardianship matters.
Maine
- Probate Courts in each county (16 counties)
- Website: Maine Probate Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Courts handle estates, guardianships, and other probate matters.
Maryland
- Orphans’ Courts in each county and Baltimore City (24 jurisdictions)
- Website: Maryland Courts – Orphans’ Court
- Additional Information: Orphans’ Courts oversee probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Massachusetts
- Probate and Family Courts in each county (14 counties)
- Website: Massachusetts Court System
- Additional Information: Probate and Family Courts handle probate cases, including estates, guardianships, and family-related matters.
Michigan
- Probate Courts in each county (83 counties)
- Website: Michigan Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Courts manage estate settlements, guardianships, and other probate matters.
Minnesota
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (10 districts)
- Website: Minnesota Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: District Courts’ Probate Divisions handle probate cases, including wills and estates.
Mississippi
- Chancery Courts in each judicial district (20 districts)
- Website: Mississippi Judiciary
- Additional Information: Chancery Courts handle probate cases, including estate and guardianship matters.
Missouri
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each county (115 jurisdictions)
- Website: Missouri Courts
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts’ Probate Divisions manage probate cases, including estates and guardianships.
Montana
- District Courts in each judicial district (22 districts)
- Website: Montana Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: District Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Nebraska
- County Courts in each county (93 counties)
- Website: Nebraska Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: County Courts manage probate cases, including estates and guardianships.
Nevada
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (11 districts)
- Website: Nevada Judiciary
- Additional Information: District Courts’ Probate Divisions handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
New Hampshire
- Circuit Court Probate Division in each circuit (10 circuits)
- Website: New Hampshire Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: Probate Divisions handle estate settlements, guardianships, and other probate matters.
New Jersey
- Surrogate’s Courts in each county (21 counties)
- Website: New Jersey Courts
- Additional Information: Surrogate’s Courts manage probate cases, including wills, estates, and guardianships.
New Mexico
- Probate Courts in each county (33 counties)
- Website: New Mexico Courts
- Additional Information: Probate Courts handle estate and guardianship matters.
New York
- Surrogate’s Courts in each county (62 counties)
- Website: New York Surrogate’s Courts
- Additional Information: Surrogate’s Courts manage probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
North Carolina
- Clerk of Superior Court’s Office in each county (100 counties)
- Website: North Carolina Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: The Clerk of Superior Court handles probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
North Dakota
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (8 districts)
- Website: North Dakota Courts
- Additional Information: District Courts’ Probate Divisions manage estate and guardianship matters.
Ohio
- Probate Courts in each county (88 counties)
- Website: Ohio Supreme Court
- Additional Information: Probate Courts handle estate settlements, guardianships, and other probate matters.
Oklahoma
- District Courts in each county (77 counties)
- Website: Oklahoma State Courts Network
- Additional Information: District Courts manage probate cases, including estates and guardianships.
Oregon
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each judicial district (27 districts)
- Website: Oregon Judicial Department
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts’ Probate Divisions handle probate matters, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Pennsylvania
- Orphans’ Courts in each judicial district (60 districts)
- Website: Pennsylvania Courts
- Additional Information: Orphans’ Courts manage probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Rhode Island
- Probate Courts in each city and town (39 municipalities)
- Website: Rhode Island Judiciary
- Additional Information: Probate Courts handle estate and guardianship matters in each municipality.
South Carolina
- Probate Courts in each county (46 counties)
- Website: South Carolina Judicial Department
- Additional Information: Probate Courts manage estate settlements, guardianships, and other probate matters.
South Dakota
- Circuit Courts in each judicial circuit (7 circuits)
- Website: South Dakota Unified Judicial System
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Tennessee
- Chancery Courts or Probate Courts in each judicial district (31 districts)
- Website: Tennessee State Courts
- Additional Information: Probate matters are managed by Chancery Courts or specialized Probate Courts.
Texas
- Statutory Probate Courts in larger counties and County Courts at Law or District Courts in smaller counties (254 counties)
- Website: Texas Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: Larger counties have specialized Probate Courts, while smaller counties handle probate matters through County Courts at Law or District Courts.
Utah
- Probate Division of the District Courts in each judicial district (8 districts)
- Website: Utah State Courts
- Additional Information: District Courts’ Probate Divisions manage probate cases, including estates and guardianships.
Vermont
- Probate Division of the Superior Courts in each unit (14 units)
- Website: Vermont Judiciary
- Additional Information: Superior Courts’ Probate Divisions handle probate matters, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Virginia
- Circuit Courts in each county and independent city (120 jurisdictions)
- Website: Virginia’s Judicial System
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Washington
- Superior Courts in each county (39 counties)
- Website: Washington Courts
- Additional Information: Superior Courts manage probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
West Virginia
- County Commissions and Circuit Courts in each county (55 counties)
- Website: West Virginia Judiciary
- Additional Information: County Commissions and Circuit Courts handle probate matters, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Wisconsin
- Probate Division of the Circuit Courts in each county (72 counties)
- Website: Wisconsin Court System
- Additional Information: Circuit Courts’ Probate Divisions manage probate cases, including estates and guardianships.
Wyoming
- District Courts in each judicial district (9 districts)
- Website: Wyoming Judicial Branch
- Additional Information: District Courts handle probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
Washington, D.C.
- Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Probate Division
- Website: DC Courts
- Additional Information: The Probate Division handles probate cases, including estate settlements and guardianships.
