Katy Probate Attorneys

Estate Planning Lawyers

Probate is a court-supervised process that involves settling the deceased individual’s estate and transferring his or her assets to the designated beneficiaries. If you have been appointed as an executor, you have an enormous responsibility of making sure that the estate is resolved accurately.

At the Adams Law Firm, our attorneys are knowledgeable advisors and can assist in answering all the questions that arise about the distribution of assets, including whether part or all of the estate must go through probate, how the assets are to be distributed, and many other considerations. We can provide effective guidance for executors, beneficiaries, and other parties involved in the probate process. No matter what your issue or concerns, our Katy probate lawyers can walk you through each step of the process, providing skilled and knowledgeable legal guidance.

When Is Probate Required?

Probate is not always necessary, but it may be required in certain circumstances:

• If there is no will
• If there is a valid will
• If there are disputes involving the will
• If the deceased’s assets are solely in his or her name
• If there are no beneficiaries named

Probate is a common procedure, but many people do try to avoid it if possible. This is because probate can be costly, time-consuming, and a public process that makes the information about an estate available to the public. If you are interested in learning whether your assets may fall into probate, talk to one of our Katy probate attorneys for guidance.

Guiding Clients Through Probate

Probate can be a complex and time-consuming process that involves an overwhelming amount of paperwork.

What does the probate process involve?

• Filing a petition to notify heirs and beneficiaries. All heirs will be notified of a court hearing regarding the petition, usually by publishing a notice in a local newspaper.
• Notifying creditors of the estate and taking inventory of the property. All of the deceased’s belongings must be inventories, including real property, stocks, bonds, and other assets. Creditors have the opportunity to make a claim for any assets during a certain time period.
• Paying off debts and taxes. The executor must determine what creditor’s claims are legitimate and pay off any outstanding debts.
• Transferring property to beneficiaries. The assets and properties will then be transferred to the designated individuals according to the terms of the will.

If you are unsure of how the process works or whether you will be able to handle all the legal details, it is important that consult an experienced attorney. With our team by your side, we can make the process more efficient and stress free, allowing you to focus on your family.

We welcome clients from all across Harris, Fort Bend, Waller and surrounding counties. Contact us at (281) 391-9237.