Probate gets a bad rap, and for a good reason. There are deadlines to meet, fees to pay, and hearings to attend—all while trying to grieve the loss of your loved one. Navigating an unfamiliar legal proceeding is probably the last thing you want to do during such an emotionally charged time. Luckily, there are ways of avoiding probate...
Continue ReadingAfter losing a spouse, the thought of going through probate may seem overwhelming. The good news is that not all estates must be probated. In this post, we’ll answer the question, Does a surviving spouse need probate in Texas? Spoiler alert: probate is only necessary if the deceased spouse passes away owning property held solely in their name. If...
Continue ReadingMost people think that probate is expensive and that the process has the potential to deplete an entire estate. However, that’s not necessarily the case. So, how much does probate cost in Texas? Well, the truth is that the cost to probate a will in Texas depends on various things, such as the value of the estate, whether you...
Continue ReadingIf you are handling a modestly valued estate, you may be wondering if you have to go through the dreaded probate process. Probate is not just for million-dollar estates. So how much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Texas? The short answer is the type of assets in the estate, not their value,...
Continue ReadingProbate costs can drastically minimize an estate’s value, especially if it is a modest one to begin with. For those handling an estate with a small value, you may be asking, Do you have to probate a small estate in Texas? A small estate affidavit, or SEA, is an alternative to traditional probate in Texas for a small estate....
Continue ReadingThe process of filing probate may be confusing and overwhelming at first. Below, we answer your questions and provide a guide to filing probate in Travis County. Our Austin probate attorney at Robbins Estate Law are available to help you through the legal hurdles of probating an estate. How Do I File Probate in Travis County? The Travis County...
Continue ReadingWhat is Probate Law? Surely you’ve heard the term “probate”– but for most people it may sound like an alien term. What is it? And why does it seem like people want to avoid it? PROBATE is, according to Merriam-Webster, the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration...
Continue ReadingAccording to a 2016 study by Oregon State University and Portland State University, the average age of farmers and ranchers is now 60. An estimated 10 million acres of farmland will change ownership over the next 20 years, making farm succession and estate planning that much more critical. The Salem, Oregon Capital Press asks in its article, “Mental competence a key factor...
Continue ReadingWhen a person dies, and after his or her family members have dealt with their initial emotions, the real work begins, according to Kiplinger in the article “5 Things to Do the Moment a Loved One Passes Away.” If you know you are named as executor of the will, take these steps to be sure that the named beneficiaries receive as much...
Continue ReadingA recent Wealth Advisor article asks a very practical question you may face someday: “Your Parent Didn’t Have A Will: What Should You Do Now?” For starters, the article advises you to make a diligent search for a will, when a parent passes away. That includes a look through your parent’s paper records and file cabinets. You should also speak with their good...
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