Probate

After someone passes away, the estate he or she leaves behind must be sorted properly and distributed to loved ones, heirs and other beneficiaries, as well as creditors with recognized claims. The process of both interpreting the final wishes of the decedent, which may be recorded in a will, and assigning asset distribution is known as probate. For many people, probate represents the most complex legal procedure they will encounter in their lives.

At Powell Law Offices, P.C., our Grapevine probate lawyer — attorney Lauren Powell — is here to simplify your probate case by guiding you through it from start to finish. If you have been assigned as the estate administrator or if you need assistance identifying the administrator, call (972) 584-9382 to connect with our law office. With more than a decade of legal experience, we are the probate law office you can trust with your case, no matter how intricate or straightforward it may be.

Each individual’s estate will be different from the next, along with the actual will that describes what to do with that estate. How probate analyzes and assigns portions of an estate, however, can be broken down into a few basic steps. Understanding these key points in the process may make it easier for you to anticipate any potential complications.

Within any probate process, you can expect these six steps to occur:

• The decedent’s will — or the state itself if no will exists — will assign an administrator or executor to oversee the probate process.
• A Texas court validates the will after it is reviewed for technical errors that could invalidate it.
• The decedent’s assets are catalogued and cannot be given to a third party while probate is underway.
• All sizable assets — automobiles, real property, businesses, etc. — are appraised and valuated.
• Private debts and tax obligations are paid after being validated.
• Any property that remains after paying off debts and obligations is distributed to beneficiaries as deemed by a will or state law if no will exists.

The six keynotes of the probate process may be fairly simple to understand when put into simple language, but the actual procedures could be more complex than you anticipate. If you have any questions or concerns about probate as an assigned administrator, do not hesitate to team up with our Grapevine probate attorney. Using our assistance, counsel and representation, you can remove all guesswork from your probate case and find peace of mind knowing that everything will be handled well by a legal team that genuinely cares about you and your family’s future.