If you doubt the validity of a will, there are a few things you can do. You can file a petition with the court to have the will probated, or you can file an objection to the probate. If you have grounds to believe that the will is invalid, the court will investigate your claims...KEEP READING
When someone dies, their estate must go through the probate process. This is true whether or not the deceased had a will. Probate is the legal process of settling an estate, and it can be complicated. In Texas, the court may require that an attorney handle the probate process, depending on the size and complexity...KEEP READING
When a person dies, their will must be probated in order to distribute their assets according to their wishes. In most cases, the original will is presented to the court for probate. This can be tricky when the original will is lost. But what happens if the lost will includes language that creates a trust?...KEEP READING
The court is required to appoint a temporary administrator if the judge determines that there is an immediate need to appoint a personal representative. The courts do not favor temporary administrations. They are often viewed as an unnecessary expense. The party seeking a temporary administration has to convince the court that the need is immediate....KEEP READING
Just because someone is named in a will or even appointed to be an executor of an estate does not mean that they will act according to the will or the law. People are people, and there are good and bad people. This begs the question as to what one can do if they are...KEEP READING
The probate process in Texas can be a complex and lengthy undertaking, with a myriad of legal requirements to navigate. One such requirement is obtaining a death certificate, a vital document that must be filed with the State of Texas within 10 days following a death. The death certificate is not only crucial for recording...KEEP READING
As experienced Houston guardianship attorneys, we understand that the legal aspects surrounding the guardianship of minors can often be complex and overwhelming. Texas law outlines a series of provisions to guide the selection and eligibility of individuals for guardianship. To help you navigate these legalities, we’ve put together an easy-to-understand guide based on Chapter 1104...KEEP READING
There are times when you need to access the decedent’s bank records before a probate case is started. This may be needed to tell if there are even assets that need to do a probate. The subpoena is one way to get records, but there is a question as to whether the probate court can...KEEP READING
Community property laws are a factor in many estates that require a probate proceeding. Community property, also known as marital community property, is similar to joint tenancy. Under joint tenancy, both spouses own all property equally, and upon the death of one spouse, his or her interest in the property is automatically transferred to the...KEEP READING
The executor or administrator of an estate is responsible for settling the probate estate. The executor or administrator of an estate must deal with a lot of issues: paying all the debts and taxes, expenses, inventorying the assets, etc.–not to mention potential liability if these things are done incorrectly. An estate may take months, sometimes...KEEP READING
