PROBATE ASSISTANT, Probate Court 1

Summary

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.

POSTING MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME AFTER A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED

Tarrant County employees enjoy superior health, retirement, and insurance benefits.

For More Information, Please Click On The Link Below

http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/human-resources/employee-benefits.html

Essential Duties And 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.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent. Some college preferred but not required.
• 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.
• TYPING TESTS ARE ADMINISTERED BY INVITATION ONLY Click the link below for additional information regarding typing test Typing Test Procedures
  
  

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To be considered for this position, your application must be complete and clearly demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications. Please ensure that all sections of the application are fully completed, including Education (specifying the type of degree, field of study, and graduation status), Experience, and Certifications/Licenses. Resumes alone will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will result in disqualification, as eligibility for minimum qualifications cannot be confirmed without full documentation. If selected for hire, you will be required to provide proof of educational attainment during the onboarding process.

Tarrant County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudication in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Physical Demands And Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, lift, and bend. Frequent walking is required between offices located on different floors.

Tarrant County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical, dental, and vision coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life and long- term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 13 paid holidays, a Wellness Program, and more.

• Note: These benefits are for Tarrant County employees only. For benefit information regarding Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, please contact Patrice Smith at (817) 884-1227.
  
  

01

Do you have a High School diploma or equivalent Five (5) full-time years related work experience?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Can you type a minimum of 35 wpm? PLEASE NOTE: By checking yes to this question, you acknowledge that you can type 35 wpm and you may be required to take a typing test with the County prior to being considered for the position.

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you have working knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Office, Tarrant County Online, SAP system, and all available probate screens?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Do you have knowledge of Texas Estates Code and procedures to facilitate assistance of Court Administrator, Estate Auditor, and Associate Judge?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question