(a) If a judge is unable to designate the time and place for hearing a probate matter pending in the judge's court because the judge is absent from the county seat or is on vacation, disqualified, ill, or deceased, the county clerk of the county in which the matter is pending may:
(1) designate the time and place for hearing;
(2) enter the setting on the judge's docket; and
(3) certify on the docket the reason that the judge is not acting to set the hearing.
(b) If, after the perfection of the service of notices and citations required by law concerning the time and place of hearing, a qualified judge is not present for a hearing set under Subsection (a), the hearing is automatically continued from day to day until a qualified judge is present to hear and determine the matter.
Official text of the Texas Estates Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.