FINANCE
The Finance Division is responsible for managing all court-ordered funds in accordance with Texas Local Government Code, Title 4. When a court orders payments, such as judgments, bonds, fees, or other funds, those payments are deposited into the County Clerk’s registry. Our office is then responsible for securely holding and managing these funds.
This includes maintaining trust accounts for:
- Minors who receive settlement funds from civil cases
- Incapacitated individuals involved in probate matters
- Any other funds the court directs to be placed in the registry
The County Clerk is also responsible for notifying individuals when funds are being held on their behalf. If we are unable to locate the rightful owner, Texas law requires us to transfer those funds to the State as unclaimed property.
In addition to managing trust accounts, the Finance Division is responsible for:
- Collecting court delinquent costs and fines assessed in the criminal misdemeanor courts
- Auditing financial procedures across all County Clerk divisions
- Monitoring all deposits and disbursements associated with the County Clerk’s special funds
Our goal is to ensure accuracy, transparency, and the highest level of financial stewardship for the residents of Fort Bend County.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Finance Division serves as the custodian for funds held in the Registry of the Court on behalf of minors, incapacitated adults, and defendants in condemnation cases. These funds may originate from civil matters, such as contract disputes, accident or injury settlements, or land condemnation for public use, or from probate cases, including inheritances distributed following a death.
Effective September 1, 2009, all eligible Trust deposits are automatically invested to earn interest, provided a valid Tax Identification Number is on file and the Court has ordered the funds to be placed in the Registry.
Finance Division adheres to all statutory guidelines when investing Registry of the Court funds. We select only those financial institutions and investment options that meet legal requirements for safeguarding principal, ensuring liquidity, managing maturity, maintaining diversity, and generating appropriate yield.
Under Section 117 of the Local Government Code, the County Clerk is authorized to deduct an administrative fee equal to 10% of the interest earned on funds invested with a financial institution. This fee is withheld at the time of the final disbursement.
