Probate in Texas
Probate is the first step in the process of dealing with a deceased person’s estate in Texas.
Texas Probate
To get started, first contact a probate lawyer to discuss the Texas probate process and alternatives to Probate under Texas Law. Compared to the process in some other states, the Texas probate process is efficient and comparatively inexpensive, especially with a knowledgeable probate attorney there to help.
Texas Probate Step-by-Step
Generally, the person named executor in the Last Will and Testament (or “executrix”) handles the will probate and the administration of the estate. The first job of the executor is to meet with a probate attorney. The lawyer will look over the Will to make sure it meets the legal requirements, gather basic information, let you know if any of the probate alternatives are available, discuss the Texas probate process, and discuss the Texas probate cost.
Step 1: Meeting With the Probate Attorney
After the executor meets with the probate lawyer, the attorney will draft the necessary legal documents, then schedule a time to go to the probate court for the probate hearing. In many Texas probate cases, the hearing will be set for 2-3 weeks from the time of the first meeting with the probate attorney.
Step 2: Probate Court Hearing
At the probate court hearing, the probate lawyer and client will show the probate court judge that the Last Will and Testament is legally valid under Texas law. A witness is required at the probate court hearing, though the executor generally serves as that witness. Probate lawyers are familiar with the facts needed in order for the judge to accept the will as legally valid. In some cases, more than one witness is needed to probate the Will.
These Texas probate hearings are extremely routine, especially for attorneys focusing on estate planning and probate law.
At the scheduled time, the probate attorney and witness[es] will go to the front of the probate court for the hearing with the judge. The attorney will begin asking the witness questions relating to the will. For example, the probate lawyer will ask things like, “Isn’t it correct that your Dad had his primary residence in Dallas County when he died?” The judge may ask the witness a few simple follow-up questions. Again, the probate hearing is intended to establish all the necessary facts to prove that the Last Will is valid and that the named executor is best suited to serve.
Step 3: Complete Probate Court Documentation
Once the judge accepts the Will as valid, the court will issue “letters testamentary”. Basically, the letters testamentary provide evidence to the world that the newly appointed executor has the legal authority to handle the estate’s affairs. For instance, with the letters testamentary, the executor can resolve debts, transfer title to houses or cars, and carry out the gifts in accordance with the Last Will.
At the probate court for the will probate prove-up hearing, the judge will mention that the executor must file an inventory as well as give the required notice to the beneficiaries in the will. These tasks are usually nothing to fret over, and the probate lawyer will be there to give guidance. Outside of that, in most cases, the executor will not need to interact with the probate court any further. The witness (generally, the executor) only has to make that one trip to the courthouse.
Please note that this Texas probate process is relatively hassle-free only if the person who died had a properly drafted Texas Last Will and Testament. That is, the streamlined probate procedure described here only occurs if there actually is a will, the will is valid, the will is self-proved, the will asked for “independent administration” of the estate, and so forth. Only the probate lawyer can tell you exactly how the process will work in your situation.
Schedule a free consultation to have an attorney review the will. At our first meeting, after reviewing the will, we can tell you almost exactly what the total probate cost will be and how long the probate will take in your case.