Houston County Probate Court cases in Houston County, Dothan, AL
Houston County Probate Court in Dothan is a county-level probate court. It exercises limited, specialized jurisdiction within Alabama's judicial system, handling civil and family matters such as probate of wills, administration of estates, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults, adoptions, name changes, involuntary mental health commitment proceedings, and condemnation (eminent domain) cases. The court also issues marriage licenses and enters related orders. It does not hear criminal prosecutions or traffic offenses; those matters are handled by municipal, district, or circuit courts.
Houston County Probate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Probate Court |
| County: | Houston |
| Street Address: | 462 N. Oates Street |
| City: | Dothan |
| Zip Code: | 36303 |
| Phone: | 334-677-4792 |
| Fax: | 334-836-1292 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 7AM-5:30PM |
| Website URL: | http://houstoncountyprobate.org/ |
| Email: | judgedavenport@houstoncounty.org |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Houston-County-Courthouse/101046206638056 |
Services and Case Types Handled in Houston County Probate Court
Houston County Probate Court serves the public by:
- Case filings and records: docketing petitions for probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships/conservatorships, creditor claims, inventories/accountings; issuing letters and certified copies.
- Protective proceedings: issuing protective orders such as emergency/temporary guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary mental-health/substance-use commitments; monitoring fiduciary compliance.
- Hearings and trials: scheduling and conducting court hearings on petitions, objections, and settlements; holding bench-and, where authorized, jury-trials in contested probate matters; issuing orders and judgments.
- Jury services: summoning and managing jurors when juries are permitted in probate cases.
- Licensing/records services: marriage licensing/recording and related vital-record entries, as provided by law.
- Public access and assistance: calendars, forms, filing instructions, fee collection, and access to records (without legal advice).