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When someone passes away in Texas, the legal process to transfer their property is called probate. Texas has several different probate paths, and the one that fits your situation depends on what the person owned, whether they left a valid will, and how the family agrees on what comes next. We help executors, administrators, and families move through the Montgomery County and Harris County probate courts, file what needs filing, notify the right parties, and get the estate closed cleanly. Our goal is to take the legal weight off your shoulders during a hard time.
Services
The most common and most affordable probate path in Texas. Available when the will provides for it, or when all heirs agree. The executor administers the estate with minimal court supervision.
Required when there's no will, family conflict, or specific creditor concerns. Court supervision is closer at every step. We guide administrators through inventories, notices, accountings, and distributions.
A simplified, single-hearing probate available in Texas when the only need is to transfer title to property and the estate has no unpaid debts other than those secured by real property. Faster and cheaper than a full administration.
When a full probate isn't needed: small estates without a will, or clear heirship situations where title needs to be cleared. We determine whether your situation qualifies and prepare the affidavits.
When there is no will, a court proceeding called a determination of heirship establishes who legally inherits. We handle the application, the required notices, and the attorney ad litem appointed to represent any unknown heirs, so title passes cleanly to the rightful heirs.
Executors carry real legal duties: inventories, notices to creditors, accountings, distributions. We walk you through each step so you don't take on personal liability for missed obligations.
Why this matters
The Texas probate system is more forgiving than most states', but it still has deadlines, required notices, and fiduciary duties an executor cannot ignore without consequence. Missed steps create personal liability for the executor, delay distributions to the family, and can give creditors or disgruntled heirs leverage they shouldn't have. Having an attorney through probate is not just a comfort; in Texas, an executor of a dependent administration is required to be represented by counsel.
Frequently asked
It depends on the path. A muniment of title can be done in a single hearing, sometimes within a few weeks. An independent administration of a straightforward estate typically takes six to nine months. Dependent administrations and estates with complex assets can run a year or more. We give you an honest estimate after we see the will and the estate's situation.
Texas requires the executor or administrator of a dependent administration to be represented by counsel, because the executor is acting on behalf of the heirs. Independent administration doesn't strictly require an attorney, but most executors hire one: the procedural steps and personal liability risks make going alone a poor trade.
When there is no will, Texas intestacy law determines the heirs, and a court proceeding called a determination of heirship establishes who inherits. We handle these proceedings, including the required notices and the appointment of an attorney ad litem to represent any unknown heirs.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options.
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