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Chambers County probate docket: judge declares heirs in Cooling case and admits multiple wills, names independent executors
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Summary
At a Chambers County probate docket, the court declared heirship in an intestate Cooling case and admitted wills in several estates, appointing named independent executors and noting a small ad litem fee for public notice.
At a consolidated probate docket in Chambers County, the court declared heirship in one intestate matter and admitted multiple wills, appointing independent executors in the estates described.
The court declared heirship in Cause No. 6 for Catherine Melvina Cooling, finding that Cooling, who died May 6, 2022, resided in Baytown, Chambers County, and left two biological sons, Patrick Lee Cooling and Michael Stewart Cooling, as her only heirs. The court reviewed marriage and death records and approved a judgment declaring the two men the decedent’s heirs; the court also discussed and approved an outstanding ad litem notice fee of $7.50 to be submitted to the clerk.
Several wills were admitted to probate during the docket. In Cause No. 9, counsel reported that Dana K. Henson Armour died Oct. 12, 2025, at age 89 and that the will dated Jan. 3, 2018, had been filed; Stephen Wayne Armour is named in that will as independent executor and counsel stated the person is not disqualified and that beneficiaries consented to independent administration. In Cause No. 18, Elaine Anne Bagby testified that Abraham Bagby died Sept. 9, 2025, in Antelope (Chambers County), confirmed the original will, and requested admission of the will and issuance of letters testamentary naming her as independent executor to serve without bond. Counsel for Cause No. 19, identifying himself as Drew Lewis, said Doyle Folsom (died Dec. 17, 2025) executed a will Nov. 29, 2018, and asked the court to admit the will and appoint Cheryl Folsom as independent executor without bond.
For Randolph Walden Miller (caller No. 20), counsel represented that Miller died Dec. 30, 2025, and that a will dated July 30, 2024, was on file naming Kimberly Gail Miller as independent executrix; counsel asked the court to admit the will and authorize letters testamentary. In Cause No. 21, the court handled a holographic (handwritten) will for Philip Hedden (dated Sept. 17, 2025). Paula Arnold Hedden testified she was named independent executor and the court took testimony from two witnesses (Wendy Kings and Charles Philip Hedden), who verified the signature and that Hedden was of sound mind when he wrote the paper; counsel asked the court to admit that holographic will and appoint Paula Hedden as independent executor without bond.
Most probate petitions were presented as uncontested: witnesses either confirmed they were not receiving compensation and were not inheriting, or counsel stated beneficiaries consented to independent administration. Where the petitioners asked for letters testamentary or letters testamentary without bond, counsel stated the named executors were not disqualified. The court approved the Cooling heirship judgment and handled routine administrative items, including confirming the ad litem notice payment.
The docket closed with routine orders and the court holding off on any independent administration elections where parties indicated they were not pursuing that step immediately. Additional filings, payments or follow-up were discussed on the record for specific estates.
