Dealing with probate can be a long and frustrating process. In our latest post, learn how to avoid probate court in Texas!
Nobody wants to have to go through the probate process, especially if they plan to sell the inherited property once their loved ones have passed. By planning ahead, people are able to avoid probate, giving their families the peace of mind they need when dealing with a sad and difficult situation. Navigating probate in Texas can be complex, especially when inheriting property, and hiring an experienced probate attorney can make the process smoother and faster. Probate is the legal process of transferring ownership of a deceased person’s assets, and in Texas, specific rules govern how this is handled, especially if there’s real estate involved.
A probate attorney will ensure all legal requirements are met, from filing the will to gathering the necessary documents, such as the death certificate and the decedent’s financial records. They’ll guide you through the court procedures, deadlines, and documentation, helping to prevent costly mistakes and delays that can arise when handling probate alone.
If the property has multiple heirs, an attorney can also help manage any conflicts or misunderstandings by acting as an objective third party. Their expertise can be invaluable in explaining each heir’s rights, avoiding disputes, and ensuring everyone understands their role in the process. Additionally, a probate attorney can assist in resolving any outstanding debts or tax issues, ensuring these responsibilities are handled appropriately.
Hiring an attorney is particularly helpful if the deceased did not have a will. In this case, Texas probate law will determine how assets are distributed, and the process can become lengthy and more complicated. An attorney can help streamline this by ensuring each step is followed correctly, reducing the chances of delays or challenges from other heirs.
Working with a probate attorney gives you peace of mind that the process is handled legally and efficiently. They can make a challenging time more manageable, allowing you to focus on other aspects of estate handling while knowing the legal side is being taken care of by an expert.
Why Avoid Probate?
There are a number of reasons why people want to avoid probate in Texas. First of all, there are the fees. Attorney fees, appraisal fees, court costs, and executor fees can all add up fast Oftentimes, the executor will waive their fee in an effort to maintain fairness amongst the family. In addition, the probate process can often be very time-consuming. All of the assets and heirs will need to be accounted for, with proper notice being provided. Debts will need to be paid and settled before any inheritances are passed on to the beneficiaries. All in all, going through the probate process isn’t something anyone wants to deal with if they don’t have to.
Using A Trust
A person can set up a trust to ensure their assets will not be subject to the probate process. By setting up a revocable living trust a person can ensure items contained therein will not be subject to the probate process. The trust will need to be set up while the person is of sound mind and able to decide for themselves what will go into the trust. The trust can be thought of like a bucket, all assets the individual wants to place in the trust will then be set aside and managed accordingly.
Joint Ownership
When a person buys a home with someone else, they can enter a joint ownership agreement. With the right of survivorship. the property is passed to the surviving owner, without having to go through the probate process. It’s important to set this up when purchasing a property as adding someone to the deed after the fact may cost money.
Beneficiary Designations
Many times when setting up a bank account or life insurance policy, you will assign a beneficiary. By doing this, these items will not be subject to the probate process. A few states will allow you to create a transfer-on-death certificate for real estate you own, transferring the property after you die. Be sure that you keep your beneficiary designations up to date. Many people fail to make these changes after a divorce or after someone passes. This can lead to your ex getting everything or the asset having to go through the probate process.
Giving Inheritance Away
Before you die, you can consciously “give away” the majority of your assets to family members or other beneficiaries. If you don’t own the asset when you pass away, it won’t have to go through the probate process. Many assets, specifically items worth 11k or less can be given away without any federal tax penalty. You can gift a person this amount once per year and in doing so, you can significantly reduce the value of your assets that go through the probate process.
Avoiding Probate for Smaller Estates
In certain states, it can be easier to avoid probate if the person passing away has only a small estate. To be considered small, the amount of the estate will vary based on where you live.
It can be very beneficial for heirs to avoid the probate process in Texas. Between the fees, costs, and stress, the process can be daunting and overwhelming. If you want to learn more about how to avoid probate in Texas, reach out to us today!
Looking to learn more? Contact us to see how to avoid probate court in Texas!