The Law Office of Christina Lesher offers a full array of elder law services in the Houston, Texas area, serving residents of Houston and nearby communities such as Fort Bend, Galveston, and Sugar Land.

Harris County • Fort Bend County • Galveston County

Probate and Estate Information

Many people don't like to think about probate and estate matters. Here at the Law Office of Christina Lesher, we can hardly blame them: no one likes to make plans for their passing. But it is vital to do so, and it cannot be done without understanding the basics of probate and estate administration. In an effort to educate the general public about these issues, we offer the following information. If you are a senior or a loved one trying to manage a senior's affairs, read the following carefully.

Probate and Estate Administration - An Overview

Estate administration refers to the process of probating the estate of a decedent, which generally includes collecting, inventorying and appraising assets; paying and collecting debts; filing and paying estate taxes; and distributing any remaining assets to beneficiaries. An attorney experienced in probate and estate administration can help simplify this complicated process. If you need help in the administration of an estate, call an attorney in your area today.

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The Probate Process

Probate is the court process used to determine the validity of a will and oversee the payment of creditors and distribution of estate assets. Even if there is no valid will at the time of death, the estate will still go through the probate procedure. Since probate is regulated by state laws, there are specific procedures proscribed by each state for carrying out the process.

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Role of the Executor

An executor is the person named by the creator of the will (the testator) to carry out the terms and provisions of his or her will. In addition to locating documents left by the testator (i.e., wills, trusts, deeds, etc.) and notifying Social Security, pension providers, annuity providers, and other entities of the death, the executor has numerous other legal responsibilities.

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Avoiding Probate

Assets disposed of outside the probate process are part of the non-probate estate. Since a probate proceeding is not required, these assets are distributed more quickly to the appropriate beneficiaries. Many people seek out these assets and ownership models in order to save their loved ones from the difficulties associated with going through the probate courts.

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Will Contests

The fact that a person (the decedent) leaves a will does not guarantee that the decedent's property will be distributed according to the will's terms. A court generally must provide an opportunity to allow others to object to the will, and a challenge may be brought by anyone with an interest in the will who believes the document is invalid in some way. A will contest is an action challenging the validity of the will and is commonly governed by state statutes.

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