When a loved one passes away, their estate must be examined and distributed through a process called probate. As the executor or administrator of an estate, you will need guidance from a knowledgeable legal guide to help avoid pitfalls along the way. Call for an initial consultation with our Probate Attorneys at Bacarisse Law to get started with the probate administration process.

Probate and Estate Administration

If you have experienced the death of a family member and need assistance with the probate of a will, or have been named as an Executor in a Last Will and Testament, contact Bacarisse Law.

Probate is the process whereby a last will and testament is proved up in court and a personal representative is appointed to wind up estate affairs. We often hear of the difficulties involved in probate, however, this process does not have to be overwhelming and difficult.

Please contact Bacarisse Law and allow us to make probate as simple as possible. Our probate attorneys will assist you in becoming the Administrator or Executor of an estate and will help you obtain letters testamentary or letters of administration as quickly as possible. “Letters Testamentary” or “Letters of Administration” are the legal documents showing your authority to carry out estate matters.

The firm will assist you in all matters to settle the estate. For example, the estate Executor or Administrator has a duty to gather estate assets and pay estate debts. The firm will be available to help you where needed and can possibly help save estate assets by legally avoiding certain estate debts. Our probate attorneys will prepare deeds or other documents needed to transfer property and estate assets to beneficiaries and will help beneficiaries obtain clear title to estate assets. The firm will also assist the Executor in funding testamentary trusts.

Ms. Bacarisse encourages estate beneficiaries to resolve disputes to save expenses and avoid conflict; she will negotiate on your behalf and prepare family settlement agreements when necessary. Jana Fay Bacarisse is knowlegeable about the Texas probate process and will guide you through probate as smoothly and efficiently as possible, saving you time and money.

When a loved one passes away without a will

If you have a family member who has died without a will (“intestate”) the firm can assist you with an heirship, which is the court proceeding where the decedent’s heirs are officially determined. After the heirs are determined, an Administrator can be appointed by the Court.

We should all have an estate plan, including a properly drafted will, to transfer title to assets upon death and to pass possessions according to our wishes. Unfortunately, individuals often pass away without a last will and testament. In this instance, the estate will pass to the heirs of the Decedent, according to the rules of descent and distribution as set out in the Texas Estates Code. The heirs of the estate must be legally determined in an “heirship” court proceeding.

If you have experienced the death of a family member who died without a will, The Law Office of Jana Fay Bacarisse can represent you in the heirship court proceeding and then assist you to become appointed as an Administrator or Personal Representative of the Estate. Ms. Bacarisse will assist you in filing an Application to Determine Heirship and will help you obtain letters of administration as soon as possible.

If your spouse passed away without a will and he/she has children from a previous marriage or relationship, the children may be entitled to an interest in your home (if you owned the home as community property with your spouse).

Texas Estates Code Sections 201.001 – 201.003 outline the rules of descent and distribution of separate and community property. The laws are designed to represent the interest of all heirs of the Decedent, however, the distribution might not be the best for every family. For example, if you are a surviving spouse and you and your deceased spouse owned a home purchased during marriage, if your deceased spouse has surviving children from a previous marriage or children who are not also your children, the children of your spouse will be entitled to a portion of the community interest in your home (although you are entitled to continue to occupy your home for life, if you wish.)

Probate Explained by a Houston Probate Lawyer

Entering probate without proper guidance can be troublesome. You can trust that experienced and knowledgeable professionals will be working on your case, and that your loved one’s estate is treated fairly. If you want to relieve yourself of stress and ensure things go as smoothly and as swiftly as possible, call us today to see how we can help.

Our probate attorneys enjoy a reputation for sound advice, efficiency, and practicality. Our first and foremost goal will always be to achieve the best possible result for our clients. Quite frequently, we are able to settle such proceedings without trials after taking into account the merits of the positions advanced by respective parties and the tax rules applicable.

Some key things our probate lawyers can help with:

Guiding you through the steps of the probate process from start to finish
Assisting with paperwork, filings, and deadlines
Communicating with heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors
Providing advice on executor duties and obligations
Helping resolve any disputes over the estate or will
Facilitating asset transfers and distribution
Ensuring all taxes are properly filed and paid
Advising on any possible claims against the estate

With deep knowledge of Texas probate law and procedure, our attorneys aim to make the process as smooth as possible for grieving families. We understand this is a difficult time and work diligently on your behalf to resolve matters efficiently.

Whether you need help probating a simple will or dealing with a complex estate with multiple beneficiaries, we have the experience to handle it.

Put our knowledge of Texas Probate to work for you

At Bacarisse Law, we pride ourselves on offering outstanding, individualized legal service in all aspects of estate planning and probate administration. Our law firm is dedicated to being responsive and committed to help you achieve the goals and results you want and need.

To speak with our Houston probate and estate administration attorneys who can guide you through this process, call (713) 623-1029 or contact us online today.

"I have empathy and compassion for those who have lost a loved one because of my own experience. I enjoy working with my clients to provide excellent legal service during probate and I also understand the issues facing families with aging parents. It also gives me great satisfaction to know I am helping my clients prevent issues in the future by proper estate planning."

Jana Fay Bacarisse

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A Tradition Of Excellence In Estate Planning, Wills And Trusts, Estate Administration And Guardianship Law Since 1990.

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