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 ReadingContesting a will is an expensive way to question if someone’s will is valid. The process involves litigation, which means you’ll owe court costs and attorney fees. You may be wondering, How much does it cost to contest a will in Texas? Today we will examine that question. How Much Does It Cost to Contest a Will in Texas?...
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 ReadingEstate plans are not just for elderly folks, wealthy business tycoons, or married couples with kids. Every adult should have an estate plan, but unfortunately, two-thirds of Americans do not even have a will. If you have not done any estate planning, now is the time to act—and today, we’ll explain why. What Goes Into an Estate Plan? Before...
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 probate process can be expensive and time-consuming, but don’t stress quite yet. Not all estates have to go through probate. So when is probate necessary in Texas? The short answer is, if someone dies leaving assets solely in their name, then you need to probate the estate. Is Probate Always Necessary? No. Probate is the legal process of...
Continue ReadingWhen people think of estate planning, they often think of things like homes, cars, and bank accounts. In reality, estate planning goes beyond just personal assets. At Robbins Estate Law, we understand that there are many important estate planning considerations for business owners. In this article, we will go over some of the key steps in estate planning for...
Continue ReadingLosing a loved one is never easy. On top of the sadness and grief, families also need to finalize their loved one’s affairs. The process of transferring the assets of a person’s estate after they pass away is called probate or estate administration. For some, the idea of having to pay an attorney to handle this process is daunting....
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