PROBATE ASSISTANT, Probate Court 1

Tarrant County•Tarrant County, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Assist the Court Administrator, Auditor, and Probate Analyst with overseeing all estates in both decedent and guardianship matters. Post all legal pleadings and instruments filed and distribute same to the above mentioned associates. Review all orders signed by Judge and distribute to submitting staff member or process paperwork through to the County Clerk's Office. Handle compliance issues and related correspondence through phone, mail, or e-mail as needed. Provide assistance to the Associate Judge and Court Auditor in the operation of the Show Cause Docket. Create and prepare various orders for show cause, removal, or investment of funds received by the County Clerk from estate and contested probate actions. Review applications and submit orders and check requests for payment of fees and expenses in mental health cases. Monitor use of, respond to staff requests for, and order supplies and paper as needed. Assist the Court Administrator in compiling and reporting operational statistics needed for budgetary purposes. Schedule cases in the case management system when the Court Coordinator is unavailable.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Five (5) full-time years related work experience.
Knowledge of general office equipment.
Must be able to type accurately at 35 wpm.
Must have working knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Office, Tarrant County Online, SAP system, and all available probate screens.
Must have or develop knowledge of Texas Estates Code and procedures to facilitate assistance of Court Administrator, Estate Auditor, and Associate Judge.

Nice To Haves

Some college preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Dockets in and distributes incoming work from County Clerk's Office to appropriate Court employees.
Dockets out in the Odyssey case management system all hand-signed orders received from Judge.
Sets Audit Tabs in Odyssey case management system.
Scans and e-mails copies of all signed orders to attorneys of record and forwards originals to the County Clerk's Office for matters not handled by Guardianship Assistants.
Answers inquiries from attorneys on status of orders submitted for signing.
Monitors document filings in existing cases using Audit Tab Reports in Odyssey case management system.
Advises attorneys by letter or e-mail of filing delinquencies that appear on the Audit Tab Reports per Court policy.
Answers inquiries from attorneys about whether actions taken in response to delinquency notifications have brought cases into compliance.
Assists Associate Judge develop, implement, and manage the Show Cause Docket.
Runs Audit Tab Report, reviews case files, and prepares notices for removal of personal representatives and generates Show Cause Orders following consultation with Estate Auditor, Probate Analyst, Court Investigator, Assistant Court Investigator, or Associate Judge.
Prepares initial drafts of Order of Removal for use by Associate Judge at Show Cause hearings.
Prepares and submits for signature by Presiding Judge Orders of Removal for Failure to Qualify or Orders of Removal for Failure to File Inventory per Court policy.
Prepares and mails out orders removing Personal Representatives to the Appointee, the attorney of record for the Appointee, any Surety for the Appointee, and all other attorneys of record and interested family members by regular and certified mail with return receipt requested as may be necessary or required by statute.
Locates documents and files needed by other Court employees.
Reviews hand-filed fee statements and prepares check requests to accompany orders for payment of Court Reporters, Interpreters, and attorneys appointed in mental health cases.
Tracks and records work measure statistics to assist Court Administrator in preparation of annual budget for matters not contained within reports from Odyssey case management system.
Maintains separate database tracking all fee orders for appointed attorneys being paid from County treasury in guardianship and mental health cases based upon check requests.
Reviews Affidavits in Lieu of Inventory filed by independent executors/administrators.
Updates Audit Tab in Odyssey case management system to show compliance or advises attorney of any deficiency.
Orders supplies for the Court.
Tracks use and monitors supply budget.
Coordinates maintenance and repairs on copiers and fax machines.
Relieves the Court Coordinator at front desk during breaks, lunches and other periods of absence.
Advises the Court's Guardianship Assistants of planned absences so they may provide this relief.
Such duty includes answering the phone and routing calls to the appropriate staff member; welcoming walk-in visitors and directing them to the appropriate staff member; announcing visitors as necessary; providing setting information to inquiring attorneys; recording setting information in Odyssey case management system, the Court's paper setting book, and Outlook calendar; and maintaining flow of all other assigned tasks while relocated to this work station.
Performs all other related duties as assigned.