The process of probating a will in Texas is subject to specific time constraints, which require careful attention and timely action. A four-year window is provided from the time of a testator’s passing for the probate of a will. Beyond this timeframe, the right to utilize the will for property distribution is typically forfeited, with...KEEP READING

Probate is the legal process by which a decedent’s estate is distributed to their heirs. Unfortunately, the process is lengthy and can be expensive. However, there are alternatives to it, such as the small estate affidavit. When a Texas resident dies with minimal assets, their estate may qualify to bypass formal probate through the use of this...KEEP READING

Introduction Probate is a process by which an administrator (the executor) of an estate (the decedent’s property) distribute the estate’s assets to the decedent’s beneficiaries. In Texas, probate is handled by the Texas State Probate Office. There are at least five types of probate (more if you count the various permutations such as testate dependent,...KEEP READING

When a probate court grants a bill of review to set aside earlier orders, parties often assume they can immediately appeal that decision. After all, if the court has just vacated significant orders like determinations of heirship, shouldn’t that decision be reviewable right away? The case of St. John v. Hearne (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]...KEEP READING