Responsibilities

JUDGE:

As the Probate Judge, the Clerk determines what documents meet the legal requirements for a Last Will and Testament to be admitted to probate.

Additionally, the Clerk oversees the administration of family estates, including appointing personal representatives, auditing their accountings, and removing them from office if necessary.

The Clerk also presides over many other legal matters, including incompetency and guardianship proceedings, foreclosures, partitions, legitimations, name changes, adoptions, and many civil hearings.

 RECORD KEEPER:

As Record Keeper, the Clerk is responsible for filing, processing, indexing, and maintaining every piece of paper filed each year. The Clerk also provides public access to court records.

ADMINISTRATOR:

As Administrator, the Clerk in Durham County manages 67 employees; 14 Assistant Clerks and 53 Deputy Clerks. Those Clerks are divided into 9 divisions and are spread across three floors of the Durham County Courthouse. They are responsible for assisting the public in filing and accessing court documents, staffing the courtrooms, and performing the many complex duties required to ensure that court records are accurate.

COMPTROLLER:

As Comptroller, the Clerk is responsible for receiving, investing, and disbursing millions of dollars for the state each year from court fees, traffic citations, fines, etc.