Blog

Texas probate lie about family relationship

When False Testimony About Parentage Derails Texas Estate Distribution

Blended families face unique challenges when a loved one dies without a will in Texas. Step-parents, step-children, and biological children have to navigate complex inheritance rules that depend heavily on family relationships. The stakes can be very higher when community property is involved. Distribution of community property can shift between a surviving spouse and children […]

will

Late Probate of Wills in Texas: When Does the Clock Start Running on Your Duty to Act?

Finding a parent’s will tucked away in an old suitcase years after their death seems like a stroke of luck. The document provides clear instructions about property distribution and identifies beneficiaries. Family members might assume they can simply file the will with the court and proceed according to its terms. After all, better late than […]

How Involved Do You Have to be in a Texas Guardianship?

How Involved Do You Have to Be in a Texas Guardianship to Challenge It Later?

Family members often monitor guardianship proceedings from a distance. They receive occasional updates about their loved one’s care. They might attend a hearing or two. They review court filings when they arrive in the mail. But they don’t formally oppose every motion or challenge every decision the guardian makes. Many assume they can always step […]

evicting beneficiary

Evicting a Beneficiary from Probate Property

When it comes to Texas probate, there are some common disputes that can be exceedingly difficult to navigate. One of these is the situation when an executor is obligated to sell real estate and distribute the proceeds to more than one beneficiary, but he or she cannot do so as there is someone living in […]

signing final will

Proving a Forged Will in Texas: What Evidence Do You Actually Need?

Family members sometimes suspect a will was forged after a loved one dies. Perhaps the signature looks different from other documents the deceased signed. Maybe the person named as executor had the most to gain from the will’s provisions. The circumstances surrounding the will’s execution seem suspicious. These concerns lead family members to believe the […]

how does probate work in Texas

How Does Probate Work in Texas? Understanding the Process from Start to Finish

Most people have heard of probate but don’t understand what it actually involves until a loved one dies and they face the responsibility of settling an estate. The term “probate” sounds intimidating and complicated. Movies and television shows depict probate as an expensive, lengthy ordeal that consumes estate assets in legal fees while families wait […]

family settle probate dispute

Probate Mediation in Texas: When Should Families Try to Settle Estate Disputes Outside Court?

Probate and estate disputes can tear families apart. Siblings who grew up together stop speaking when disagreements arise about their parents’ property. Adult children accuse stepmothers of manipulating elderly fathers into changing wills. Executors face criticism from beneficiaries who question every decision about selling property or paying debts. These conflicts often lead to probate litigation […]

Guardianship Responsibilities

Texas Guardianships: What Evidence Shows Someone Is Mismanaging an Incapacitated Person’s Money?

Adult children sometimes find themselves caught between respecting their elderly parent’s romantic relationship and protecting the parent from financial exploitation. The parent might be dating someone new who suddenly appears to control all financial decisions. Large sums of money disappear from accounts that sat stable for decades. The parent makes uncharacteristic purchases or loans significant […]