Guy Herman (Texas) - Ballotpedia

Guy received both his undergraduate degree and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Judge Guy Herman
Travis County Probate Court
Judge Guy Herman was first elected Travis County Probate Judge in 1985, and he has worked tirelessly to serve the residents of Travis County ever since. In this capacity, he adjudicates matters relating to wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.

Judge Guy Herman

Probate Court No. 1
The Honorable Guy Herman
Probate Court No. 1 is presided over by the Honorable Guy Herman.


Probate Court No. 1 Staff:

Probate Court No. 1

Guy Herman currently serves as the judge of Travis County Probate Court No. 1. He was first elected Travis County Probate Judge in 1985.

Probate Court | Travis County, Texas

2026 Texas General Election

Statutory Probate Judge AssignmentsJudge Guy Herman serves as the Presiding Judge for the Statutory Probate Judges of Texas.Contact information for Statutory Probate Judge assignments that are filed in counties outside of Travis:

Email: [email protected]
Point of Contact: Angelica Torres, Court Administrator

Statutory Probate Judge Assignments

As Travis County probate judge, adjudicates matters involving wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.

Serves as presiding judge for the statutory probate judges of Texas.

- As Travis County probate judge, adjudicates matters involving wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
- Serves as presiding judge for the statutory probate judges of Texas.

Legal Experience

When he adjudicates guardianships, Judge Herman starts with a baseline presumption of competence and strives to preserve as much autonomy as the proposed ward can safely manage.

Travis County’s population has more than doubled since he became probate judge, and Judge Herman has grown the Court along with it. Over the years, he has trained and overseen four associate judges: Susan Whitman, Laura Jacks, Dan Prashner, and Tom Ruffner.

Travis County’s population has more than doubled since he became probate judge, and Judge Herman has grown the Court along with it. Over the years, he has trained and overseen four associate judges: Susan Whitman, Laura Jacks, Dan Prashner, and Tom Ruffner. During his tenure, Judge Herman has also hired exceptional attorneys as Law Clerks, many of whom now practice in town at prominent probate law firms.

As probate judge, expanded the court as Travis County’s population grew and trained and oversaw four associate judges.

- As probate judge, expanded the court as Travis County’s population grew and trained and oversaw four associate judges.

Judicial Administration

When he adjudicates guardianships, Judge Herman starts with a baseline presumption of competence and strives to preserve as much autonomy as the proposed ward can safely manage.

Travis County’s population has more than doubled since he became probate judge, and Judge Herman has grown the Court along with it.

creating a guardianship for a loved one needing protection of the Court or helping families with young adults resolve a mental health crisis. In those sad and trying times, his mission is to be conscientious and considerate of the complicated emotions that arise, especially when a will or guardianship is contested. In striving to settle disputes fairly, he also works hard to counsel families to resolve their disagreements with love rather than rancor. It has been his privilege to serve Travis County residents in their times of grief and sadness.

In those sad and trying times, his mission is to be conscientious and considerate of the complicated emotions that arise, especially when a will or guardianship is contested. In striving to settle disputes fairly, he also works hard to counsel families to resolve their disagreements with love rather than rancor. It has been his privilege to serve Travis County residents in their times of grief and sadness.

As a probate judge, adjudicates guardianships with a presumption of competence and aims to preserve wards’ autonomy when safely possible.

Strives to resolve contested wills and guardianships fairly and counsels families to settle disagreements “with love rather than rancor.”

- As a probate judge, adjudicates guardianships with a presumption of competence and aims to preserve wards’ autonomy when safely possible.
- Strives to resolve contested wills and guardianships fairly and counsels families to settle disagreements “with love rather than rancor.”

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Guy Herman did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Guy Herman

As of July 22, 2026, Guy Herman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Guy Herman has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

Travis Probate Judge Guy Herman retires, knowing he'll be re-elected

Guy is a former judge. He served on the Texas 14th District Court from 1988 to 1991 and the Texas 1st District Court of Appeals from 1991 to 2002. He has also been the probate judge for Travis County since 1999. 

Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care

Guy is currently a judge of the Texas 1st District Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1991 and served until 2002. He also served as a judge of the Texas 14th District Court from 1988 to 1991. Before that, he was first elected Travis County probate judge in 1985. He served as the county's probate judge until 2014.

Served as a judge of the Texas 1st District Court of Appeals from 1991 to 2002.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

- Texas county probate judges handle all cases in probate, including estate administration, wills, guardianships, and incapacitation cases.
- There are a total of 24 probate judges across 12 counties within the state.
- They are paid an annual salary between $158,000 and $193,400.