We understand that probate is a complicated and emotional process. Don’t navigate it alone. Richard Hughes is among the top probate lawyers in Tyler, Texas. He has the expertise needed to guide you to a successful outcome.
Richard Hughes has over 30 years of experience as an Estate Planning Attorney. He protects your rights and always advocates with your best interests in mind. He understands the ins and outs of probate law and helps with a variety of matters.
Richard Hughes will help with valuing the deceased person's assets, distributing assets to the heirs or beneficiaries in the will, making sure debts are paid, and more.
This can be a complex process. Richard Hughes makes sure the asset distribution process is handled properly and in accordance with the law.
If probate litigation arises, Richard Hughes works with you to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case and develop a winning strategy for resolving the dispute.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult. Don’t let the probate process overwhelm you.
Trust us with even the most complex probate cases. We help you achieve the best possible outcome. You can count on us to provide you with the guidance you need to successfully navigate probate and move forward.
Schedule a free consultation with Richard Hughes today.
The probate process in Texas can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. Simple, uncontested cases often move faster, while disputes among heirs or complex estates with many assets can take much longer.
If someone dies without a will (known as “intestate”), Texas law decides who inherits their property. The probate court will appoint an administrator, and the estate will be distributed to heirs according to the state’s intestacy laws, usually starting with the surviving spouse and children, then moving to other relatives.
Costs vary widely depending on the complexity of the estate. They can include court filing fees, attorney’s fees, executor’s fees, appraisal costs, and other administrative expenses.
For straightforward cases on smaller estates, the average can range from $3,000-$7,000. But contested or complicated estates can become much more expensive, easily exceeding $10,000.
If you’re probating an estate without a will, the cost can be even higher due to added legal steps.
The job of an executor is to carry out the wishes of the deceased person. Usually, an executor is a close family member or individual.
An executor has a significant amount of responsibility, including admitting the will to probate, notifying heirs and beneficiaries, filing legal paperwork, paying estate debts and taxes, managing other estate affairs, closing the estate, and more.
A probate lawyer usually works alongside the executor to collect and distribute the estate property. If you are an executor, contact a probate lawyer like Richard Hughes to walk alongside you during the process.
Assets that usually avoid probate include life insurance proceeds with a named beneficiary, retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), etc.) with beneficiaries, jointly owned property with right of survivorship, payable-on-death bank accounts, and property held in a living trust.
A probate lawyer can guide executors and families through the legal process, prepare and file court documents correctly, help resolve disputes, handle creditor claims, and ensure deadlines are met.
By avoiding mistakes and delays, an experienced probate lawyer can make probate less stressful and more efficient.