When family disputes arise over estate property, attorneys often struggle to determine which court should hear the case. Multiple courts may have authority to resolve property ownership questions that affect ongoing estate administration. However, different types of jurisdiction create different procedural requirements for challenging a court’s authority to hear particular matters. The distinction between exclusive...KEEP READING

When someone believes they were wrongfully excluded from an inheritance due to family manipulation, they face difficult decisions about pursuing legal remedies. Many people assume that once a will has been probated and the estate distributed, no further legal options exist. However, situations involving alleged tortious interference with inheritance create separate causes of action that...KEEP READING

Probate Terms Navigating Texas probate law requires familiarity with specific terminology that governs estate administration from filing the initial application through final distribution of assets. These 25 definitions represent the fundamental concepts that attorneys, personal representatives, and beneficiaries encounter in virtually every probate proceeding. Understanding these terms provides the foundation necessary to comprehend court filings,...KEEP READING

When someone dies owning property worth less than $75,000, families often assume they must navigate the full probate process with all its complexity and expense. Many people believe that any estate involving real property automatically requires formal probate administration regardless of the property’s value. This misconception can lead families to spend thousands of dollars on...KEEP READING

When someone changes their life insurance beneficiary shortly before death, the excluded beneficiary may suspect that undue influence played a role in the decision. Family members who previously stood to inherit substantial benefits often feel shocked and betrayed when they discover last-minute changes that redirect insurance proceeds to different relatives or acquaintances. These situations create...KEEP READING

When a family member disappears without a trace, their loved ones face agonizing uncertainty about whether the person is alive or dead. Years may pass without any contact or evidence of what happened. Eventually, families need closure and practical resolution of the missing person’s legal and financial affairs—but they cannot simply assume death has occurred....KEEP READING