Sometimes probate can’t wait. Whether you’re facing foreclosure on estate property, dealing with a business that needs immediate attention, or simply need to access assets to support surviving family members, delays in probate can cost thousands of dollars and create unnecessary hardship. The probate process is not fast. The state legislature made it this way on purpose, so that there is time to notify various parties, etc. That does not mean that the probate case should go as slow as it can. You need attorneys who understand the urgency and have systems to move your case forward quickly where possible without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.
Some probate attorneys might treat an uncontested probate case with a leisurely pace—filing when convenient, waiting weeks between steps, and showing no urgency even when you’re facing real deadlines. This is often the case when the attorney handles probate cases as a side practice, fitting the probate cases in around their criminal trials or divorce hearings. Without dedicated probate systems and staff, they may not be able to provide the rapid response and quick processing that time-sensitive estates require.
Note: The “Typical Local Attorney” column reflects what we’ve commonly observed in the Texas probate market. Individual attorneys may vary. We are not comparing ourselves to any other specific lawyer. This is just our observations in doing this work over the years.
| Filing Timeline | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation Availability | Same week, often same day | May wait weeks for appointment |
| Document Preparation Time | 24-48 hours for standard cases | Often 1-2 weeks |
| Court Filing After Hire | Typically within 5 business days | Can take 2-3 weeks |
| Emergency Filing Capability | Next-day filing when critical | Rarely accommodate emergencies |
| Weekend/Evening Availability | Available for urgent situations | Strictly business hours only |
| Efficiency Measures | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Standardized Procedures | Refined systems for each probate type | Reinvent the wheel each time |
| Parallel Processing | Handle multiple tasks simultaneously | Sequential processing only |
| Dedicated Probate Staff | Specialized team for quick processing | Share staff with other practice areas |
| Document Templates | Comprehensive forms ready to customize | Draft from scratch each time |
| Court Relationship | Know the court’s preferences for speed | Unfamiliar with expediting procedures |
| Pre-Filing Preparation | Gather information before filing | File then figure it out |
| Quick Access Solutions | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Muniment of Title | Recognize when this faster option works | May not suggest faster alternatives |
| Small Estate Affidavits | Immediate assessment of qualification | Often unaware of this option |
| Emergency Allowances | Quick access to family allowances | Don’t know about emergency provisions |
| Temporary Administration | Rapid appointment when needed | Rarely use temporary appointments |
| Bank Account Access | Strategies for quick account access | Wait for full letters testamentary |
| Vehicle Transfers | Expedited title transfer procedures | Standard DMV timeline only |
| Emergency Scenarios | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Foreclosure Prevention | Immediate intervention strategies | May not understand urgency |
| Business Continuation | Emergency operating authority | Let business fail during delays |
| Utility Maintenance | Quick succession for accounts | Leave family without services |
| Insurance Preservation | Rapid coverage continuation | Let policies lapse |
| Asset Preservation | Immediate protective measures | Assets deteriorate during delays |
| Creditor Management | Fast response to prevent lawsuits | Wait to address when sued |
We’ve handled thousands of probates and refined our processes to eliminate unnecessary delays. Our systems are created to identify the fastest legal path for your situation, whether that’s muniment of title, small estate affidavit, or streamlined administration. We don’t waste time on unnecessary procedures just because “that’s how it’s always done.”
Unlike some other firms where probate gets squeezed in around other practice areas, our dedicated probate team is ready to act immediately. We maintain templates, checklists, and systems that allow us to prepare accurate documents in hours, not weeks. When you need speed, we don’t have to clear our schedule—probate is our schedule.
Each Texas probate court has its own preferences and procedures. Some allow emergency hearings, others have expedited dockets, and many have specific requirements for fast-tracking cases. We know these local preferences for most of the courts that we practice in and use them to your advantage, getting hearings scheduled weeks or months faster than attorneys unfamiliar with each court’s options.
| Time-Sensitive Scenarios | Our Solution | Typical Delay Without Fast Action* |
|---|---|---|
| Pending Property Sale | Expedited authority to close | Lost buyers, price reductions |
| Business Operations | Immediate succession planning | Business failure, lost value |
| Tax Deadlines | Quick filing to preserve elections | Thousands in unnecessary taxes |
| Government Benefits | Rapid qualification documentation | Months of lost benefits |
| Investment Decisions | Fast authority for time-sensitive trades | Significant market losses |
| Creditor Lawsuits | Quick appointment to defend | Default judgments against estate |
| Insurance Claims | Rapid authority to pursue claims | Missed claim deadlines |
| Lease Negotiations | Immediate authority to renew/terminate | Eviction or locked-in bad terms |
| Digital Advantages | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Online Intake | Start process immediately online | Must wait for office appointment |
| Electronic Signatures | Sign documents remotely | Require in-person meetings |
| Digital Document Collection | Upload documents anytime | Must deliver physical copies |
| Real-Time Case Updates | Online portal with current status | Wait for phone calls |
| Electronic Court Filing | File immediately when ready | May have to wait for courthouse hours |
| Virtual Meetings | Immediate video consultations | Only in-person meetings |
| Financial Factors | Our Firm | Typical Local Attorney* |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Delay Analysis | Calculate savings from speed | Don’t consider delay costs |
| Efficiency Savings | Lower total cost through speed | Drawn-out process increases fees |
| Emergency Response Fees | Transparent emergency pricing | May charge unclear “extra” fees |
| Value Preservation | Prevent loss through quick action | Losses mount during delays |
| Bundled Services | Comprehensive fast-track packages | Piecemeal billing adds up |
*Based on common market observations. Individual attorneys may differ.
Don’t let probate delays cost your family money, property, or peace of mind. If you need quick resolution of a Texas estate, contact us immediately. We’ll assess your situation, identify the fastest legal path forward, and begin work right away. The sooner you call, the sooner we can provide relief.
