Based on whether a deceased individual created a will, a Texas probate court judge may have a significant role in distributing his or her assets. As noted by SmartAsset, if you die with a will, the probate court judge has responsibility for proving its validity and...
Probate Administration
Probate Administration
What are your duties as an executor of a will?
People who decide to create a will have a number of decisions to make, but choosing an executor is usually among the most crucial. According to Farm Bureau Financial Services, an executor's main duty is to carry out the final wishes of the deceased and see to the...
Probating small estates in Texas
People in Texas may likely recall hearing many pieces of advice offered up by estate planning experts espousing the benefits of avoiding probate. The main reason for this counsel is to potentially avoid the fees associated with a long, drawn-out probate process. Many...
What are reasons that probate can slow down?
One reason that people want to avoid probate is because the process sometimes takes a long time. Heirs to an estate may have to wait months or even a year until probate is complete. Probate does not have to last long, though. There are usually reasons why probate...
What contributes to higher probate costs?
Many people dread the probate process because of the costs involved. There are many different actions associated with probate, and a lot of these actions involve paying a fee or a bill. Depending on the assets you own, your estate may incur costs that could minimize...
Is it possible to avoid probate?
As explained by U.S. News & World Report, all wills must go through probate. However, with a legally binding document and an executor in place, the process usually progresses smoothly. Trouble arises when family members challenge a will, in which case the court...
How can you avoid probate?
When you die in the state of Texas, your assets may have to go through probate before they're distributed to your heirs. Probate can be a necessary but time-consuming process that delays the time when your loved ones receive their assets. How can you avoid probate and...
The process of probating a will in Texas
The probate process takes place after a person dies whether there was a valid will or not. When there is a valid will, the process is more straightforward than when there is not. Nevertheless, it can still expend a lot of time and money. The will does not take effect...
What happens when someone dies without a will?
Dying without a will in Texas sends your property through the probate process using the intestacy laws of succession. The probate statutes spell out the path through which your estate must travel before disbursement to your heirs. The process may take longer than...
Who is an interested party in probate?
When a Texas estate goes to probate, there are a limited number of people and parties who are able to participate in the process. The rule is that one must be considered an interested party to have their say in court. Oftentimes, one's interested party status is in...