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Beneficiary designations are a cental pillar of probate avoidance. They allow funds to pass directly to your beneficiaries without the need for probate, giving your beneficiary quick access to funds without court involvement. Beneficiary designations direct the payment of funds to the beneficiary listed, regardless of what is stated in your Will or Trust. Ultimately,…

After the death of a loved one, you may need to go through the probate process in order to get your inheritance or manage the Estate. If you do need to go through the probate process, the next question is whether you can do it yourself or you need to hire a probate attorney. 1.…

Creating a trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. A properly prepared trust can avoid probate, streamline asset transfers, and protect your family from unnecessary expense and delay. But there’s one common mistake that prevents many families from receiving these benefits: failure to fund the trust. What Does It Mean to…

One of the most common questions families ask after the death of a loved one is: How long will probate take? The truth is, there’s no single answer. The probate process in Texas can take anywhere from a few weeks in very simple cases such as a Small Estate Affidavit or an Affidavit of Heirship…

Probate involves a court procedure to legally process and distribute an individual’s estate after they have died.  An estate without a Will is known as an intestate estate.  An estate with a valid, legal will is known as a testate estate.  If a Will only covers part of the estate, leaving the rest to pass…

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and it can be even more overwhelming if they passed away without a will. In Texas, dying without a will is called intestate, and the state’s intestacy laws determine how assets are distributed. Depending on the type and value of the assets, the estate may need to go…

If you’ve just lost a loved one and you are named as the executor of their will, you may be overwhelmed and confused. You may be researching online for answers to questions like “Do I need a probate attorney near me?”, “How long does probate take?”, or “How much does probate cost?”.  I will try…

When someone passes away in Texas, their estate typically goes through probate—a court-supervised process to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute remaining assets. Probate can be time-consuming, public, and expensive. But here’s the good news: a revocable living trust can be a powerful tool to transfer your assets to loved ones without going through…

Probate in Texas can be costly, time-consuming, and public. Fortunately, Texas law offers powerful alternatives—Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) and Lady Bird Deeds—to transfer real estate outside of probate. Paired with beneficiary designations on other assets, they can form the backbone of a non-probate estate plan. Benefits of Avoiding Probate Traditional probate involves court oversight,…

While it might seem tempting to save money by creating your own will using online templates or DIY kits, it is very risky. There are specific legalities necessary to create a valid will that can be admitted to probate. Here are some problems with DIY or online wills: 1. Invalidity Improper Execution: Wills have specific…