The probate process is a series of legal tasks that occur to close an estate after someone has died. The specific steps and requirements of probate vary from state to state, but some general requirements exist uniformly. Probate has several purposes, only one of which...
Probate
How to choose an executor to your estate
Writing your last will and testament can be complicated and overwhelming. Yet, becoming informed on matters concerning the estate may help you create a complete and comprehensive document. According to Forbes, choosing the executor of the estate is an important detail...
How can a breach of fiduciary duty affect probate?
As you administer a loved one's estate, it can cause undue stress to have to worry about how to deal with a breach of duty. A fiduciary has a responsibility to the beneficiaries to handle any assets or money properly. Promises and trust According to FindLaw, a...
Could you signature cause a will contest?
You have two options to create a will in Texas. You can create it on your own and sign it, or you can create a formal one with an attorney that you sign in front of witnesses. The will you create on your own is a holographic will. The State Bar of Texas explains a...
How you can probate an estate in Texas without a will
Probate is the process where a court recognizes a person’s death officially and helps to distribute their estate amongst the living beneficiaries. The probate process helps to resolve any challenges that may arise in the distribution of an estate following a will. But...
The different types of probate in Texas
They are essentially two main types of probate for uncontested cases where all the family members are in agreement and there is really no one fighting. The first is if there is a will that names an independent executor. According to the Legal Consumer, this process...
Can you be responsible for a deceased parent’s debts?
Losing a parent is tremendously difficult at any stage of life. While you may struggle with the emotional repercussions associated with losing your mother or father, you may, too, have to deal with financial ramifications. If your mother or father passed and left...
How do executors handle real estate?
If you are a candidate to serve as an estate executor for a relative in Texas, you might be required to oversee a home or property of your deceased relative. Some executors find this to be a challenging task, as real estate is not an easy asset to administer....
What people should know about probate
Many Texas residents may think that after they die, the executor of their estate will distribute the assets and then everything will be finished. However, sometimes things are not this simple. A will often has to go through probate before the executor can distribute...
How do you prove a loved one was the victim of undue influence?
One of the most common reasons that family members contest a loved one's estate plan after they die is that they believe they were subject to undue influence by someone who convinced, cajoled or tricked them into changing the terms of their will or other documents....