Invalid Wills The Texas Estates Code defines a will as a testamentary instrument that either (1) appoints an executor or guardian, (2) directs how property may not be disposed of, or (3) revokes another will. Note that the document does not have to meet all three requirements to be a valid will. State law provides...KEEP READING

Before you even consider the probate of an estate, there are several preliminary matters that have to be attended to immediately after a loved on dies. These are the pressing matters that have to be attended to or considered immediately after death. Determination of Death The first step after someone dies involves contacting the authorities...KEEP READING

Terminology Service of Citation: legal notice of the filing of the case to the opposing party. Restricted Appeal: an appeal of specific aspects of a judgment rather than the judgment in its entirety. Rule 21 & Rule 21(a), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure: states that any amended pleading must be served on an answering party....KEEP READING

The term “final judgment” is often used in probate cases, but does it mean the same thing as a final judgment in other cases? In other words, when is the decision able to be appealed? In this article, we’ll take a look at when a judgment is considered final in a probate case and what...KEEP READING

Probate is the process of administering a deceased person’s property and assets in accordance with their estate plan. At times, this can lead to disputes over the ownership and distribution of their assets. The court may be called upon to adjudicate these disputes and determine the rightful owner of property in an estate. In doing...KEEP READING

Texas law makes it clear that identifying probate property is a duty. It has to be done and the personal representative has to do it. But there are no set rules for how to identify property that the decedent owned or had an interest in. At a minimum, one must review the financial records that...KEEP READING