It’s important to note that Texas has a very streamlined process of independent administration that requires very little court involvement after the will is admitted to probate, so we typically encourage our clients to proceed with a standard probate if their loved one died with a valid, well drafted will. However, Texas law provides several…

As an alternative or supplement to a will, an individual may choose to establish a trust. An individual may establish a revocable trust (also known as a living trust) or an irrevocable trust. In Texas, a revocable trust is often used if a person desires a high degree of privacy (as a trust agreement, unlike…

Probate is the court procedure that determines whether a will is valid. If the will is “admitted to probate” by the court, it means that it was found to be valid. After a will is admitted to probate, the executor or administrator must “qualify” as representative of the estate by signing and filing an oath.…

Losing a family member or loved one is often the hardest part of someone’s life. While some people might dive into their work to distract themselves from the grief, others might completely shut down. My experience assisting clients with the probate process, coupled with my background in counseling, helps me understand that there is truly…

A will is a person’s declaration of how his or her probate property shall be distributed after his or her death. A will can also designate who will manage the property, settle the estate, and care for any minor children. Additionally, a person can include provisions in their will that provide guidance when it comes…

Lifetime documents, as the name provides, are documents that take effect during a person’s lifetime and are no longer effective after a person dies. Essentially, they are documents that make a person’s wishes known or designate an agent to act on a person’s behalf if they are incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. The…