Probate Academy

Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
900 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
1-800-THE-OMNI

Sponsor

The Texas Judicial Academy is a partnership between the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Tech University School of Law.

Overview

The Probate Academy is a program designed to meet the educational needs of judges, clerks and other court personnel responsible for setting and disposing of probate and guardianship cases. The course will feature two tracks: one for judges and one for elected clerks and those responsible for daily operations of the probate court. Judges can earn 16 hours of continuing education credit for attending; approval is pending for credit for clerks. The curriculum has been designed to meet the specific needs of each constituency, emphasizing the duties set forth in the Texas Estates Code. The course also provides opportunities for interactive training and facilitated discussion with other elected officials and county personnel. In addition to in-depth training on core topics, the exchange of practical solutions to common problems is encouraged.

Reimbursement

This program is partially funded by a Judicial & Court Personnel Training Fund grant administered by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. In accordance with the grant guidelines, reimbursement of up to $750 per fiscal year may be provided for grant-allowable meals, lodging and transportation.

All travel reservations made through third-party vendors (Hotels.com, Expedia.com, Booking.com, etc.) cannot be reimbursed. For more information on reimbursement, please call Michele Mund at (800) 456-5974.

Reimbursement requests must be submitted to TAC within 60 days of the event. Any request received after 60 days will not be reimbursed.

Reimbursement may be provided for county judges and one clerk or clerk personnel (per county).

Who Should Attend

The content of this program is directed at constitutional county judges, elected clerks and court personnel when hearing and deposing a general jurisdiction probate docket.

County Judges Education Advisory Committee

Hon. Don Allred, Oldham County Judge, Chair
Hon. Brett Bray, Blanco County Judge
Hon. Byron Ryder, Leon County Judge
Hon. Francisco Ponce, Dimmit County Judge
Ms. Jamie Baker, Associate Dean and Director of the Law Library, Texas Tech University School of Law (ex officio)
Hon. Jimmy Sylvia, Chambers County Judge
Hon. Justin Lewis, Hill County Judge
Hon. Mark Allen, Jasper County Judge
Hon. Renee Couch, Comal County Treasurer (ex officio)
Hon. Ronnie J. Gordon, Hartley County Judge
Hon. Stephanie Davis, Comanche County Judge
Hon. Woodrow “Woody” Gossom Jr., Wichita County Judge

County Clerks Education Advisory Committee for Probate Academy

Hon. Bena E. Hester, Briscoe County District/County Clerk
Hon. Beth A. Rothermel, Washington County Clerk
Hon. Brent Zitterkopf, Howard County
Hon. Donece Gregory, Tyler County Clerk
Hon. Heidi Easley, Victoria County Clerk
Hon. Janette Green, Palo Pinto County Clerk
Hon. Julie Smith, Potter County Clerk

Registration

The conference registration fee is $125.

Registration fees are voluntary and used for expenses that are unallowable or are insufficiently covered by the Judicial & Court Personnel Training Fund grant. These include speaker fees, materials, meals and social activities. Fees are deposited in a fund held for county judge education within the general revenue funds of the Texas Association of Counties.