(a) The judge is elected by the qualified voters of the counties at the election at which other statutory probate court judges are elected.
(b) The judge must be:
(1) at least 25 years of age;
(2) a resident of one of the counties; and
(3) a licensed attorney in this state who has practiced law or served as a judge of a court in this state, or both combined, for the four years preceding election or appointment.

(c) The judge is entitled to be paid an annual salary set by a vote of a majority of the total number of the county judges and commissioners of the commissioners courts of the counties. The salary shall be apportioned among the counties according to the ratio a county’s population bears to the total population of the counties composing the court.