Ancillary probate is a legal process used when someone dies with assets in a state other than the state where they lived. It is a supplementary probate process that is required in addition to the main probate proceedings in the decedent’s home state. Ancillary probate ensures that the non-resident assets are properly distributed to the correct beneficiaries. However, it...
Continue ReadingWhen a person passes away, their property is placed into an estate, and their will determines who gets a share of it. Before the beneficiaries can collect their inheritance, the will must go through probate. Probate ensures that a person’s will is valid and that all bills are paid before inheritances are distributed. The probate court may only handle...
Continue ReadingThere are several different types of probate in Texas, but they are not all created equal. They range from formal proceedings in front of a judge to filing an affidavit. The kind of probate that’s best for you depends on the estate and the circumstances surrounding it. What Is Probate? Before diving into the types of probate administration in...
Continue ReadingProbate 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 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 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 probate attorneys 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 probate...
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