Compassionate and Comprehensive Probate Guidance in Austin, Texas
Probate And Estate, Austin Texas
Our Austin Probate Lawyers know that the loss of a loved one is never an easy experience. Unfortunately, the grief you feel following their loss may be compounded by frustration at the often complicated legal process known as probate. When attempting to traverse the probate process in Texas, the guidance of an attorney may help to reduce the time and energy you spend searching for resolutions. At the Hailey-Petty Law Firm, PLLC, in Austin and San Antonio, we provide comprehensive probate guidance to clients throughout the area. From the moment you retain our firm, we will make every effort to guide your family through the probate process as quickly and easily as possible. Attorney Pamela Hailey-Petty and Jessica Ramirez offer assistance managing probate of estates, settlement of estate debts and the overall administration of the estate.
Knowledgeable Guidance Through All Forms of Texas Probate
Texas Trust And Probate Attorney
Estate Planning Law Firm In Austin
We provide guidance to clients dealing with a wide range of Texas probate proceedings, including those involving:
- Independent administration of estate: One of the most forms of Texas probate proceedings, the independent administration of estate allows the executor to handle many steps in the process of settling the state without court supervision. The process allows for a much quicker resolution, provided that the deceased’s will directed the executor to pursue this form of probate and no objections to the will are heard. Our attorney ensures that the executor follows all directives set forth in the will and that the process progresses as smoothly as possible. If you do not currently have a Last Will & Testament, then contact our Austin Estate Planning Attorneys for assistance.
- Dependent administration of estate: Exactly the opposite of the independent administration of estate, dependent administration involves much more court supervision throughout the probate process. This is a much less common form of probate in Texas, and only takes place if the deceased’s will requires the process, or the executor requests the additional supervision.
- Muniment of title: Another simple method of handling probate proceedings, Muniment of Title allows for the transfer of assets and execution of the deceased’s wishes without court supervision. Muniment of Title is only available in cases in which the deceased maintained a will, has no unsecured unpaid debts and is not subject to a claim from Medicaid. The executor of the will must request this form of probate and demonstrate that the situation meets the stated requirements.
- Small estate affidavits: In cases involving no will or estates valued at $75,000 or less, the beneficiaries may not have to request probate. In these cases it may be possible to collect the estate by filing a simple affidavit with the court.
- Small estate procedures: If the value of the deceased’s estate does not exceed the amount owed to creditors and family allowance, the executor may request a Small Estate Procedure. In these cases, the executor must provide the court with an accounting of the dissolution of the estate’s funds and request an approval from the court. In some cases, the court may order an execution of administration which skips the probate process and assigns the remaining assets to a spouse, children or loved ones before closing the estate.
- Letters Testamentary: Financial institutions, such as banks, brokerages and mortgage lenders, require official notification of your legal authorization to conduct business on behalf of a deceased loved one. Known as Letters Testamentary, these documents must be obtained by the executor of a will during the probate process. Without Letters Testamentary, the executor will likely be unable to close or access a bank account, transfer a title on real estate or access an investment or retirement account.
It is important to remember that the probate process must be initiated by petitioning the court, the process does not begin automatically.
Directions to the Austin Probate Lawyer Office
Schedule a free 30-min consultation to discuss your probate concerns today
No two probate proceedings are exactly the same, making it important to retain an attorney that educates you on your unique situation and tailors a legal strategy to meet your needs. At the Hailey-Petty Law Firm, we provide the informative and customized guidance you need to make informed decisions on every detail involved in the probate process. To schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your probate needs with Attorney Pamela Hailey-Petty or Attorney Jessica Ramirez, call (512) 910-8977 to reach our Austin office, (210) 570-2458 to reach our San Antonio office, or contact our firm online today. *Note: additional fees may apply for consultations longer than the allotted 30 minutes.
Austin Probate Attorney Reviews
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ | Pei B.
Pam’s work is excellent comparing to other lawyers I had encountered. She did extra work beyond what is minimally required by the fee. I went back to her twice for my will documents and everyone is impressed with binder she created for me. Thumbs up. – Google Review
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ | Theresa S.
Thank you all for your patience and attention to detail when creating a will for both my husband and myself. We had no idea what all went in to creating a sound and complete will for a blended family. You were very thorough and happy to answer all our questions! – Google Review
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ | Bonnie K.
Pam originally helped us with estate work and we have been back twice now for business assistance. Really appreciate the personal service and not feeling like another face in the crowd when we call. – Google Review
Probate Law Firm FAQ
How much does a probate attorney cost?
In certain situations the cost of a probate attorney will depend on the complexity of the estate that is being probated. Some attorneys will charge a percentage, and other attorneys may charge hourly. It is not uncommon to see a combination of both a flat or graduated percentage fee, along with some hourly charges. Our law firm maintains an extremely reasonable price structure as we strive to be affordable to a wide array of clients. Call our office to setup a free 30-minute consultation and we can give you a better idea of what it may cost to probate your estate.
Do I need an attorney to go through probate?
Typically it is prudent to consult with a probate attorney about legal questions pertaining to the probate of any estate. In certain situations, you may not need a probate lawyer to help you probate your estate. We recommend that you contact our office immediately for an over the phone consultation.
How do I file a Will with the probate court?
You should promptly file a Will with the probate court immediately following the death of your loved one. The Will should be filed in the courthouse of the county with the deceased resided. Keep in mind that most states impose a filing deadline so you do have time considerations. Call our office immediately for assistance with filing the Will if needed.