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 can be a costly and time-consuming process. The good news is there are several ways to avoid ancillary probate in Texas. The Law Offices of Kyle Robbins, PLLC, can help you ensure that your family receives your assets in compl ..read more

When 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 estates of property located within the state. When a will was executed by a testator who was not domiciled in Texas at the time of their death, it becomes a foreign will. In Texas, you can probate foreign wills in the Texas county where the prope ..read more

There 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 Texas, let’s define probate. Probate involves proving the validity of a will, if the person who died (the decedent) left one. However, probate also encompasses administering the decedent’s estate. This legal process involves appointing an execu ..read more

Probate 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 in Texas, so you can spare your family the headache. In this blog, we explain how to avoid probate in Texas and share ideas you can implement into your estate plan. Why Avoid Probate? Probate is the legal process of winding up a person’s affairs after their d ..read more

If 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, determine whether you have to probate it or not.  Is Probate Required in Texas? Not all estates have to go through probate in Texas. To understand why, it is important to know what probate means. Probate is the process of gathering a deceased person’s assets and distributing th ..read more

Probate 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. The filing process is quite simple and can save you time, money, and a lot of hassle. Do You Need Probate for Small Estates? Not all estates need to go through probate. If the estate is made up of only jointly titled assets or assets with beneficiary designations ..read more

The 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 gathering, valuing, and distributing a deceased person’s (the decedent’s assets. If the decedent passes away either (a) without any assets or (b) with only assets that automatically transfer to someone else at death, then there’s no need for probate ..read more

The 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 process involves multiple steps. First, you need to know whether the Travis County Probate Court is the appropriate location to file. If the decedent was domiciled in Travis County (e.g. owned property, lived, had a driver’s license, was registered to ..read more

When 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 estates of property located within the state. When a will was executed by a testator who was not domiciled in Texas at the time of their death, it becomes a foreign will. In Texas, you can probate foreign wills in the Texas county where the prope ..read more

There 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 Texas, let’s define probate. Probate involves proving the validity of a will, if the person who died (the decedent) left one. However, probate also encompasses administering the decedent’s estate. This legal process involves appointing an executor ..read more