“Helpful and Trustworthy Attorney”
I was really sad that I even had to hire an attorney to deal with parts of my family when my dad died but she really helped me get through the process and was SO knowledgeable on everything that was going on.
The death of a loved one is a difficult time. Dealing with grief while trying to figure out the right steps to take when a loved one dies can be overwhelming. A Texas probate attorney will work hard to minimize the stress of this process on the loved ones of the deceased.
The steps to take when a loved one dies in Texas are different depending on each person’s life and circumstances. This list will give you a good idea of where to start.
They were caring and kind all the way through the process. I highly recommend them to anyone entitled to claim leftover funds from foreclosure or who need to probate an estate for a loved one. Here is a picture of myself and my lovely sister, Karen!
He told me the amount I would receive at the beginning of the process. He also told me that I would never have to step inside of a court room, which I didn’t want to due to the complex challenges of probate court. Ryan and his team worked very hard for me.
Stacy and her team were fantastic. We had heard horror stories of the probate process but our experience was fast and flawless with Stacy. The loss of our loved one was very unexpected and the estate was complicated. Considering the circumstances I can honestly say it couldn’t have gone any better. I have already recommended Stacy to others and will continue to.
In the first few days after a loved one passes away, the first major step is handling the funeral arrangements. As estate planning has become more common in recent years, it’s important to check for pre-paid funeral contracts that your loved one might have or instructions they may have left about the type of services they wanted.
When making arrangements, keep all receipts of the expenditures so that these may be recovered from the deceased’s estate when the probate process is completed.
If your loved one worked, then you should contact their employer to let them know of the death and also to determine whether your loved one had any work-related death benefits. It’s also important to notify the Social Security Administration, as well as Veterans Affairs if the deceased ever served in the military.
If creditors contact you regarding your loved one’s accounts, let them know of the death. Do not agree to pay anything for your loved one or sign anything related to the accounts before speaking to an attorney.
In some cases, a loved one will have told beneficiaries about a life insurance policy they would receive. This isn’t always the case, though. Look for any policies your loved one may have had and, if you are the beneficiary, contact the insurance company to request a claim form.
There are many safe places where people keep their wills. If you aren’t able to find it in their home, try checking with the deceased’s banks to find out if they had a safe deposit box. While this is an important step, it’s not urgent to complete in the immediate aftermath of the loss of a loved one. Generally, the will must be submitted for probate within four years of a person’s death.
One of the best steps to take when a loved one dies is to contact a probate attorney after you’ve located the will or if you know your loved one didn’t have a will. An experienced attorney can help make the process of probating an estate as quick and painless as possible.
Attorneys Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly offer experienced probate services in all Texas counties. They can guide you throughout the probate process and ensure that your loved one’s estate is handled in the manner they laid out in their will. Get in touch today for assistance.
Have you lost a loved one and need to settle his or her estate? Do you need the estate administered correctly? Are you concerned that someone may be taking advantage of your relative’s death? Are you concerned about ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are honored?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, our Texas law firm can help. We can assist you with questions related to inheritance law, will contests, guardianships, property rights, will forms, conservatorships, codicils, intestacy, and more. When you need a probate lawyer in Texas, call Your Texas Probate Attorneys.
Contact the firm today to discuss your case during a free consultation and explore your options.