Blended families face unique challenges when a loved one dies without a will in Texas. Step-parents, step-children, and biological children have to navigate complex inheritance rules that depend heavily on family relationships. The stakes can be very higher when community property is involved. Distribution of community property can shift between a surviving spouse and children […] The post When False Testimony About Parentage Derails Texas Estate Distribution appeared first on… Continue reading When False Testimony About Parentage Derails Texas Estate Distribution

Finding a parent’s will tucked away in an old suitcase years after their death seems like a stroke of luck. The document provides clear instructions about property distribution and identifies beneficiaries. Family members might assume they can simply file the will with the court and proceed according to its terms. After all, better late than […] The post Late Probate of Wills in Texas: When Does the Clock Start Running… Continue reading Late Probate of Wills in Texas: When Does the Clock Start Running on Your Duty to Act?

Family members often monitor guardianship proceedings from a distance. They receive occasional updates about their loved one’s care. They might attend a hearing or two. They review court filings when they arrive in the mail. But they don’t formally oppose every motion or challenge every decision the guardian makes. Many assume they can always step […] The post How Involved Do You Have to Be in a Texas Guardianship to… Continue reading How Involved Do You Have to Be in a Texas Guardianship to Challenge It Later?

When it comes to Texas probate, there are some common disputes that can be exceedingly difficult to navigate. One of these is the situation when an executor is obligated to sell real estate and distribute the proceeds to more than one beneficiary, but he or she cannot do so as there is someone living in […] The post Evicting a Beneficiary from Probate Property appeared first on Kreig LLC. Read… Continue reading Evicting a Beneficiary from Probate Property

Family members sometimes suspect a will was forged after a loved one dies. Perhaps the signature looks different from other documents the deceased signed. Maybe the person named as executor had the most to gain from the will’s provisions. The circumstances surrounding the will’s execution seem suspicious. These concerns lead family members to believe the […] The post Proving a Forged Will in Texas: What Evidence Do You Actually Need?… Continue reading Proving a Forged Will in Texas: What Evidence Do You Actually Need?

Most people have heard of probate but don’t understand what it actually involves until a loved one dies and they face the responsibility of settling an estate. The term “probate” sounds intimidating and complicated. Movies and television shows depict probate as an expensive, lengthy ordeal that consumes estate assets in legal fees while families wait […] The post How Does Probate Work in Texas? Understanding the Process from Start to… Continue reading How Does Probate Work in Texas? Understanding the Process from Start to Finish

Estate planning attorneys draft wills carefully, reviewing every provision to ensure the document accomplishes the testator’s wishes. Yet even the most carefully prepared wills sometimes contain errors. A paragraph reference might be wrong. A bequest might refer to property the testator no longer owns. The will might describe a gift but fail to name a […] The post The Presumption Against Intestacy in Texas: Courts Assume You Meant to Dispose… Continue reading The Presumption Against Intestacy in Texas: Courts Assume You Meant to Dispose of All Your Property

Probate and estate disputes can tear families apart. Siblings who grew up together stop speaking when disagreements arise about their parents’ property. Adult children accuse stepmothers of manipulating elderly fathers into changing wills. Executors face criticism from beneficiaries who question every decision about selling property or paying debts. These conflicts often lead to probate litigation […] The post Probate Mediation in Texas: When Should Families Try to Settle Estate Disputes… Continue reading Probate Mediation in Texas: When Should Families Try to Settle Estate Disputes Outside Court?

Families who suspect their loved one lacked mental capacity when signing a will face a difficult challenge in probate court. The deceased might have struggled with dementia, taken strong medications, or shown confusion in the months before death. Medical records might document cognitive decline. Family members might recall troubling conversations. These facts seem to prove […] The post Proving Testamentary Capacity in Texas: What Evidence Actually Matters on the Day… Continue reading Proving Testamentary Capacity in Texas: What Evidence Actually Matters on the Day the Will Was Signed?

Adult children sometimes find themselves caught between respecting their elderly parent’s romantic relationship and protecting the parent from financial exploitation. The parent might be dating someone new who suddenly appears to control all financial decisions. Large sums of money disappear from accounts that sat stable for decades. The parent makes uncharacteristic purchases or loans significant […] The post Texas Guardianships: What Evidence Shows Someone Is Mismanaging an Incapacitated Person’s Money?… Continue reading Texas Guardianships: What Evidence Shows Someone Is Mismanaging an Incapacitated Person’s Money?