After a person has died, people will look for a Will or information about an estate planning law firm that may be in possession of a Will. If a Will is not found, the person is said to have died “intestate.”
Their property will still need to be managed and distributed, bills paid and taxes filed. Someone will need to fulfill the tasks of probate. It will fall to the Texas probate court to identify heirs so that a probate judge can appoint one of them to act as an “administrator” for the estate. Our probate attorneys can provide as much or as little assistance as you need.
If your loved one has died without a Will and you have questions or need legal help to ensure an administrator is appointed, call the law office of Albin Oldner Law, PLLC at (214) 423-5100
The role of the estate administrator is very similar to that of the executor in probating a Will. Administration of the estate will typically be “dependent”: there will be maximum court supervision of the process, a judge will have to approve actions taken along the way, and the administrator will be required to post a bond.
Alternatively, if all the heirs agree, the probate court judge may appoint someone as an “independent administrator” and waive the requirement of a bond and additional supervision. The independent administrator is generally free to handle the tasks of settling the estate with only a few required filings.
Estate administration is very similar to probate in terms of the work that must be accomplished.
Some assets can be distributed without the need to go through probate. In some cases, the entire estate may be administered outside of probate. We can advise you on whether probate alternatives apply in the case of the estate you are administering.
The biggest challenge with an estate where there was no Will is found in the fact that no one really knows the intention of the deceased. Did she promise her niece her wedding ring? Did he want his brother to have the house? His son, the car? Conversations are not enforceable contracts that stand up in court, and that uncertainty can lead to angry and hurt feelings.
While we will do everything in our power to ensure the smooth administration of an estate, sometimes conflicts cannot be avoided. We are experienced trial court litigators and can draw upon the expertise of other trial attorneys and mediators in our firm. Albin Oldner Law, PLLC is prepared to represent you in estate litigation.
Based in Frisco, our law firm extends its exceptional legal services to clients throughout the entirety of North Texas.
Call (214) 423-5100 or contact us online
5665 Dallas Parkway
Suite 200
Frisco, TX 75034
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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
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