Probate Lawyer in Houston Texas

Probate Actions:

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of proving the validity of a will in a court of law and administering the estate of a deceased individual. While many refer to probate as the entire estate settlement process, lawyers typically call this an administration. As a trusted probate lawyer in Houston Texas, I guide clients through all aspects of probate, from validating wills to resolving family dispute

What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?

A probate lawyer helps families get through the grief of distributing and closing up the affairs of someone they love. It is a particularly difficult time for a family to have to go through the legal process of closing out their loved ones affairs. This is why you need an attorney who is experienced in doing so and can act with compassion and experience to reduce the emotional, financial, and energy burden of going through probate.

If you are searching for an experienced probate lawyer in Houston Texas, you are in the right place. Probate is often misunderstood but plays a crucial role in settling an estate after someone has passed away. In layman’s terms, this means wrapping up the final affairs of someone who has died. Whether you are dealing with a will, no will, or emergency administration, navigating probate requires legal expertise to ensure the process is smooth, efficient, and legally compliant.

Why You Need a Probate Lawyer in Houston Texas

The probate process can vary depending on whether the deceased had a will or not. As an experienced probate lawyer in Houston Texas, I help clients avoid costly mistakes, reduce delays, and ensure compliance with Texas probate laws. My practice includes representing:

Individuals: Families or heirs managing small or large estates.
Institutions: Such as Bank of America, where I have served as legal counsel in multiple probate matters.

Whether your estate is simple or complex, I offer personalized guidance in Houston and throughout Southeast Texas, including Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Chambers, Colorado, Houston, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Waller, Walker, Washington and Walker.

With a Will

With a Will, the process to get your inheritance is not terribly complicated. For the Court to approve a run-of-the-mill Will is infinitely simpler than when someone dies without a Will. So, a Will, even a hand written Will, greatly reduces the costs and work related obtaining your inheritance. This is why having a Will can be a great gift to your family. You are not leaving them a mess. Your legacy would be one of care and compassion, and you know to whom you would be leaving your property.

Having a will can significantly reduce the costs, stress, and complications for your loved ones. Even a handwritten will can be a great gift to your family, ensuring your legacy is one of care and planning, not confusion and disputes. This is why having a Will can be a great gift to your family. You are not leaving them a mess. Your legacy would be one of care and compassion, and you know to whom you would be leaving your property.

Without a Will

If the deceased passed away without a will, the probate process becomes more complex. This situation, known as intestate succession, requires careful legal consideration. Options to resolve an estate without a will include: Like I wrote above, this is why leaving a Will is a great service you can do for your family. It is best not to leave them in a position where they face delays. And, dying without a Will opens your family up to situations where infighting can occur. Surely, no one wants their legacy to be the mess and pain that they left their family.

As your probate lawyer in Houston Texas, I will guide you through these options to determine the most effective course of action. Like I wrote above, this is why leaving a Will is a great service you can do for your family. It is best not to leave them in a position where they face delays. And, dying without a Will opens your family up to situations where infighting can occur. Surely, no one wants their legacy to be the mess and pain that they left their family.

Emergency Administration

In certain situations, an estate requires immediate action. If someone passes away and no one has legal authority to act, the estate's value may be at risk. For example: A house under contract for sale. Livestock requiring urgent care, such as food or water. In these cases, I can help you pursue a temporary administration. A court-appointed temporary administrator ensures that urgent matters are handled until the full probate process begins. Proper estate planning, such as a revocable living trust, can also help prevent delays.

Other Issues

There are also other issues related to probate such as resolving family disputes with a family settlement agreement or trying to get the Court to approve a lost Will. On the subject of a lost Will, you may also run into issues of trying to gain access to a safety deposit box in order to search for a Will that may or may not be lost. All of these issues are things with which a probate attorney near you, like my Firm, can help you.

Integrity First

He upholds the highest ethical standards, ensuring honesty and transparency in all client interactions.

Client centric excellence

His clients are the heartbeat of his practice. he prioritizes their needs and objectives, delivering client-centric excellence at every stage.

Advocacy for justice

He is driven by a deep-seated passion for justice. Advocacy is not just a part of his practice; it's his purpose.

Why is Probate needed?

Probate serves several important functions, including:

Ensuring the legal transfer of property to the correct heirs or beneficiaries.
Providing a clear record for buyers when property is sold.
Resolving outstanding debts and taxes owed by the estate.

Without probate, disputes can arise, property transfers can be challenged, and legal rights may be unclear.

Common Probate Options:

Not every estate needs nor has to have an administration. In fact, the law requires a need to administer the estate before the Court will open an administration. Whether there exists a need and the type of administration needed requires the careful consideration of multiple factors. Because of this complexity, consulting with a probate attorney before taking legal action may be helpful.

There are three major types of administrations:

This are:

Independent Administration
- The most common and cost-effective option, allowing executors to manage the estate with minimal court involvement.
Dependent Administration
- Requires significant court supervision and is often used when disputes arise.
Temporary Administration
- Used for emergency situations to prevent harm to the estate’s value.

You should consult with a probate lawyer in Houston Texas to provide clarity and ensure you choose the right option to avoid mistakes and unneeded expenses and delays.

There are three major types of administrations:

This are:

Independent Administration
- The most common and cost-effective option, allowing executors to manage the estate with minimal court involvement.
Dependent Administration
- Requires significant court supervision and is often used when disputes arise.
Temporary Administration
- Used for emergency situations to prevent harm to the estate’s value.

You should consult with a probate lawyer in Houston Texas to provide clarity and ensure you choose the right option to avoid mistakes and unneeded expenses and delays.

If the individual died without a will, things get a bit more complicated. However, selecting the appropriate option can be difficult and is best to consult with a probate attorney to help pursue the correct option. Some of the options include:

An heirship proceeding and (in)dependent administration;

An affidavit of heirship; or

A small estate affidavit.

Probate Lawyer in Houston Texas

Probate Actions:

What is Probate?

What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?