Anthony, TX Probate Lawyer

If you live in or near Anthony, Texas and are mourning the recent death of a family member, we’d like to offer our sincerest condolences. Losing a loved one can be immensely difficult emotionally, but it can also be difficult legally if your loved one did not have an estate plan in place. Their assets – their property, money, etc. – will likely have to go through a Texas court process known as probate, or estate administration, before you or any of their other heirs can obtain them.

Understanding how probate works can be confusing and overwhelming. Our Anthony probate lawyer will work with you to navigate and simplify the probate process so you and your family can have time to mourn, look back on fond memories, and move forward. Call today to schedule your free consultation and learn how you can have peace of mind throughout each phase of probate.

How Probate Works In Texas

Probate is a legal process that may be necessary after someone passes away in the state of Texas. Basically, probate is how a person’s property, possessions, and money that they owned in their name are legally transferred to their beneficiaries’ names. While this may seem like a simple task, it unfortunately is not! Probate is often time consuming, and it can take several months – or even longer than a year – for a resolution to be reached. It is also expensive, as the court costs, taxes, and filing fees involved can amount to thousands of dollars.

It may be possible to request a simplified version of probate under a handful of specific circumstances, which are:

• The decedent died without a will
• At least 30 days have passed since the date of the death
• No person has filed an application seeking to be appointed as the personal representative of the estate
• The value of the probate estate is $75,000 of less, excluding the value of the homestead and other exempt property, and
• The total assets (excluding homestead and exempt property) exceed the total known debts of the estate (excluding debts secured by homestead and exempt property)

There is also the possibility that probate is completely unnecessary, such as if your loved one had a trust, owned property in joint tenancy, or had transfer-on-death beneficiary designations on their account. But if you are still unsure of whether your loved one’s estate needs to go through formal probate or not, our experienced Anthony probate lawyer can determine the answer by taking a closer look at their financial situation and other relevant materials.

The Role Of The Estate Executor

If you’ve been named the executor or administrator, you must be the one to oversee the probate process from start to finish, which includes the following responsibilities:

• Submit the will (if there was one) and death certificate to the court
• Submit a petition to the court to open a probate case
• Submit formal notices to the public, creditors, and beneficiaries
• Collect and care for assets until probate is closed
• Inventory and appraise those assets
• Settle creditor claims and outstanding debts
• File final tax returns and pay any required taxes
• Communicate with the courts, meet deadlines, and pay court fees
• Submit a final accounting and any other required records
• Submit a petition to close probate
• And more.

This list alone is likely daunting, but when you factor in the reality that much of this will need to be completed in your personal time, that there is a potential for lawsuits to be filed against you if a disgruntled family member disagrees with how you handled the estate, and that you are still grieving a significant loss, you may feel as if handling these matters is downright impossible!

That’s what we’re here for. We will handle the heavy lifting, the paperwork, the court, the creditors, and more! Our Anthony probate lawyer has successfully resolved hundreds of probate cases, ranging from the most simple to the most complex. Trust us to get you to the finish line in the quickest, most cost-effective, and most efficient way!

Call Our Adept Anthony Probate Lawyer Today!

Our lead attorney, Jorge Villegas, has over 15 years of legal experience and knows how to help clients cross over the mountain of probate with the least amount of hassle possible. He will work with you on a personal level to make sure each step is handled correctly and that you are kept informed on the progress of your case. He is also a Certified Public Accountant, giving you an advantage when it comes to the financial aspects of probate. Call today to schedule your consultation where we can discuss your next steps!