Austin Probate Attorneys Simplifying the Probate Process for Our Clients

After a loved one passes away, their beneficiaries such as their children or spouse may believe they are automatically entitled to all of their decedent’s assets. However, after someone passes away, there is a legal process for determining who gets what. This is basically what we refer to as Probate. Probate can be difficult to handle by yourself and can produce a lot of headaches and stress, depending on the size of the estate. In fact, in Texas, for most probate proceedings you must be represented by counsel. Probate court can be made easier or harder depending on certain circumstances such as whether or not there was a valid Will. If there is no valid will present for the estate, the probate court will appoint an administrator who will wind up the estate and distribute the assets in accordance with the laws of Texas, but be mindful that the default estate plan from the state of Texas may end up giving your life savings to people that you did not want to receive your assets.

Probate can be an incredibly stressful process and can take longer than desired time to get through without the right help. A probate lawyer from our probate law firm can help you, whether you are a beneficiary going through the probate process or an executor handling the estate administration process during probate. Get in touch with our probate and estate administration law firm today so we can work towards ensuring a smooth and easy probate process for you and your family.

What Does Probate Consist Of?

The general purpose of probate is to properly distribute the assets and settle any outstanding affairs of an estate. The court appoints the executor, typically the person nominated in the deceased person’s Will, and then the executor is tasked with administering the estate in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Last Will & Testament. There are many moving parts to the probate and estate administration process. Hiring a probate attorney can help you take on your duties as an executor or assist you during probate. Contact a probate attorney from our Central Texas law firm today to see how we can help you make informed decisions during the estate administration process.

What Does an Executor Do During Probate?

An executor’s responsibility during estate administration is to maintain the estate to the best of their ability. Maintaining an estate may sound simple enough on paper, but in practice, it can be a major headache. From physically maintaining the property, keeping assets listed and organized, paying property taxes and debts, and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries, an executor can oftentimes have a lot on their plate. On top of that, they may be legally liable if they are unable to perform their duties as agreed upon. A probate attorney from our law firm can give you legal advice throughout the administrative process. Our lawyers have helped countless clients over the years. We want to speak with you to determine if we can help you navigate this difficult process and reduce stress while doing so.

Can a Lawyer Assist Me With Handling a Will?

In Texas, you almost always need a lawyer to help you with probate. Even if a decedent left a will, if there are any assets that are subject to that Will, then the Will needs to be probated. The probate process in Texas is not as painful and costly as it is in many states, but still, it’s not without costs, delays and headaches. Sometimes, the process of administering an estate can be difficult and even controversial. Challenging the validity of a will is one of the most common problems that arise over the course of probate proceedings. Typically, this happens when a beneficiary or a group of beneficiaries believes that a mistake has been made in a will or that the will was created under questionable circumstances. If a will is being challenged (contested), having a solid estate administration attorney on your side will be very important. It’s highly recommended that you create a Will today, while you’re still alive.

It’s important that you have an experienced Will & probate attorney to help you with this in order to improve the strength of your Will in case someone contests your Will. What many people don’t know is that the probate process is even more expensive if you die without a Will because dying without a Will usually increases the costs of attorney’s fees and court costs. If you’ve lost a loved one, then we encourage you to immediately consult a Austin Estate Planning Lawyer who can guide you through the entire process.

How Can a Probate Lawyer Make My Life Easier?

Probate court isn’t a walk in the park. It can be stressful and lengthy, especially if the size of the estate in question is large. Hiring a lawyer from our law firm should be one of the first steps you take before embarking on probate. The lawyers from our law firm can assist you in a variety of ways including helping figure out business succession, sorting and distributing assets, and more. To find out more about how a lawyer from our Austin law office can assist you with your needs, contact us at 512-400-4430 today.