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Probate can be costly and complicated. Unfortunately, not probating a Will could cause your family more stress in the long run. Failing to probate a Will can lead to title or asset transfer problems, debt, disputes, and even potential lawsuits. There are a few situations in which a Will does not have to be probated in Texas. An attorney is essential to help you determine if this is the case with your situation.

This may sound surprising but almost everyone needs estate planning done in their lifetime. Whether you are a young couple with children, an older individual nearing retirement or a same-sex couple, having an estate plan in place can protect your assets and legacy.

Probate or administration is the legal procedure for settling and transferring a person's estate, including assets and debts. If a person owns property in a different state from that in which he or she died, an ancillary probate or administration in the other state might be necessary. If there was a Will, a probate will likely be proper, and if there was no Wll, a costly administration may be necessary.

Texas law provides for a shortened, less complicated, less expensive form of probate in specific circumstances. This is called probate as a muniment of title. It is a simple process compared to a full, regular probate.

I am frequently asked by prospective estate planning clients, "Do I need a trust?" The answer is the classic one: It depends. They are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether setting up a living trust is a good idea for you should be discussed with an estate planning attorney who has full knowledge of your assets, family circumstances, and desires.

One of the first questions the family of a loved one who has passed will ask is, 'What will it cost to settle the estate in Texas?' The answer to this question depends on four key factors: the type of assets that will be transferred, if payable on death designations were made on assets, whether there was a Will, and if the heirs agree on a plan for the probate. Based on these factors, you could expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 to upwards of $5,000, depending on which option is most appropriate for your situation.

Not everyone needs a trust, and in some cases, it can be more money than it's worth. However, there are at least six really good reasons for you to have a living trust in your estate planning package. Key considerations for drawing up a trust include the amount in your estate, whether you own assets in another state, privacy concerns, limits you can place on beneficiaries, and protecting your assets.

Texas law has recognized an estate planning trick that is extremely effective to help avoid probate and is low cost, called a deed with an enhanced retained life estate, or “Lady Bird” Deed, or Transfer on Death Deed ("TODD"). These are basically the same form with minor differences. These tools can be used for all types of real estate interests in Texas and are expanding to many other states as well.

An independent administration is the form of probate available when a Will contains the proper legal provisions authorizing the independent administration of the estate. This means you can avoid extensive court supervision of the handling of the estate once the will has been admitted to probate. This procedure will need to be used to settle an estate with a Will where the muniment of title approach cannot be used because of outstanding debts.

In this series of blogs, I have outlined various different types of probates and probate alternatives to help you settle an estate and understand the potential costs. A dependent administration is significantly more expensive than any other type of probate. Wise estate planning could avoid this high cost.