Practice Area · Probate
Guide an estate through the courts.
When someone dies, Texas law often requires their estate to pass through probate court. I help families complete that process efficiently — with clear guidance and no unnecessary complications.
Is this you?
- A parent or spouse died and you're not sure what steps the estate requires.
- The deceased owned Texas real property without a trust or joint ownership.
- You've been named executor in a will and need guidance on your duties.
- The estate has debts, creditor claims, or family members in disagreement.
How it works
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Case Review
We review the will (or establish intestacy if there is none), inventory the assets, and determine what probate process applies. Texas offers several — independent administration is usually the most efficient.
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Filing & Appointment
Petitions filed, hearing scheduled, executor or administrator appointed by the court. Most Travis County hearings take 4–6 weeks to schedule.
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Administration
Inventory filed, creditors notified, assets marshaled, debts resolved. I handle the paperwork and court filings; you handle the family.
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Distribution & Close
Assets distributed to beneficiaries per the will or Texas intestacy law. Final accounting filed, estate closed, your obligation as executor complete.
Questions
Does every Texas estate have to go through probate?
No. Assets with beneficiary designations (life insurance, IRAs, bank accounts with POD designation), jointly owned property, and property held in a trust all pass outside probate. An estate may only need a small estate affidavit or muniment of title — simpler alternatives I'll walk you through if they apply.
How long does Texas probate take?
An uncontested independent administration in Travis County typically takes 6–12 months from filing to close. Complex estates with real estate in multiple counties, business interests, or disputed claims take longer. I'll give you a realistic timeline at our first meeting.
What does it cost?
Probate fees are typically a combination of a flat engagement fee and court costs. For straightforward independent administrations, most families pay $2,500–$5,000 in attorney fees. Contested matters are billed hourly. I'm transparent about this up front.
Can I just handle probate myself?
Texas allows pro se (self-represented) probate in some cases. In practice, most judges require attorneys, and errors at the filing stage cause expensive delays. The cost of doing it right the first time is almost always less than fixing it after something goes wrong.
Start with a conversation.
Most families wait too long. A first conversation is free, takes sixty minutes, and leaves you with a clear picture of what your plan should look like.