Probate

Providing Caring & Personalized Probate Services in Plano, TX

When a family member passes away in Texas, their estate must typically go through the probate process to properly distribute their assets do beneficiaries, as well as pay necessary taxes. However, probate can be complex and lengthy legal process, whether the deceased individual has a will or certain family members wish to contest the validity of the will. It is imperative to hire an experienced probate lawyer to protect your rights and your loved one’s wishes.

Whether you are interested in contesting or establishing the legal validity of a will document through probate, let G.J. Chavez & Associates, P.C. guide you through the intricacies of the probate process and help you obtain the best possible outcome in court. Our Planoprobate attorneys handle all aspects of estate planning, such as advising on power of attorney and probating wills. We are ready to provide our clients with experienced and responsive legal representation.

Contact us today at (972) 705-5374 to speak with our legal team about your case.

How Does Probate Work in Texas?

Probate is a legal process by which a deceased individual’s estate is settled. Probate administration includes identifying the assets in the estate, paying any debts and taxes the deceased person owed at the time of death, and the distribution of the remaining assets to deceased individual’s beneficiaries and heirs, according to their will. If a person passes away with a will, then the court will determine the beneficiaries.

The following are the three main types of probate in Texas:

• Independent Administration – Unlike other states, Texas has a simpler and cheaper probate process. If the executor of the will is told to pursue independent administration, then he/she does not have to seek the court’s permission before settling the estate and does not have to post a bond. If there is no will, the executor can ask the court to act as an independent executor. However, the executor must still notify creditors and file an estate inventory with the court.
• Dependent Administration – On the other hand, dependent administration consists of more court supervision of the probate process (i.e, the executor must ask for the court’s approval for the sale of property, payment of debts and taxes, etc.).
• Muniment of Title – When a deceased person has a will, no unpaid debts, and no Medicaid claim against them, then they may go through the “muniment of title” process, which is another cheap and simple way to distribute assets from an estate.

If you are an executor of a will, or if you wish to contest it, our legal team can review the will to ensure its validity, find and secure all the deceased individual’s assets, consult you on the payments of bills and debts, file all the necessary documents required by probate court, and safeguard your loved one’s final wishes. If there is no will, we can help estate administrators distribute assets according to Texas law.

Contact Us Today!

Losing a loved one is an extremely difficult situation, which is why our firm can help you settle all court matters, so you and your family can grieve in peace. Do not allow the court to decide how the estate should be distributed and let us protect your family.

For more information about our compassionate legal services, contact us by calling (972) 705-5374 today.