“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 he really helped me get through the process and was SO knowledgeable on everything that was going on.
Who Can Contest a Will?
If you need legal representation concerning a will, reach out to our Houston & Fort Worth lawyer at (346) 384-8768 in Houston and (817) 532-6797 in Fort Worth to set up a complimentary consultation about the matter.
“Helpful and Trustworthy Attorney”
“Ryan and team were very professional and empathetic regarding probating my sister’s estate.”
“Ryan and team were very professional and empathetic regarding probating my sister’s estate.”
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!
- Shirley H.
“After my Mom passed away and her house was foreclosed on, Ryan of Conscious Dealz helped me get the excess funds from the foreclosure.”
“After my Mom passed away and her house was foreclosed on, Ryan of Conscious Dealz helped me get the excess funds from the foreclosure.”
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.
- AJ J.
“Keith and his team were fantastic.”
“Keith and his team were fantastic.”
Keith and his team were fantastic. We had heard horror stories of the probate process but our experience was fast and flawless with Keith. 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 Keith to others and will continue to.
- Thomas M.
“Thank you, Keith, I truly appreciate you.”
“Thank you, Keith, I truly appreciate you.”
He researched my problem, consulted another expert just for a second opinion, and responded to me with the answers I needed. He is a SUPER PERSON.
- Kathie
“He was responsive and found the right resources for us.”
“He was responsive and found the right resources for us.”
He helped my family navigate a unique probate and trust process right at the end of the year.
- Previous Client
“He is aggressive in court room while remaining respectful and compassionate to other lawyers and his clients.”
“He is aggressive in court room while remaining respectful and compassionate to other lawyers and his clients.”
Keith is one of the finest and technically proficient lawyers I have ever met.
- Jennifer
“Whenever I had a question or concern, all I had to do was call or email Keith.”
“Whenever I had a question or concern, all I had to do was call or email Keith.”
Keith is very professional and was able to settle my family dispute.
- Susan
Who Can Contest a Will?
Legal Representation in Will Disputes in Houston & Fort Worth
When someone passes away, it can lead to a very difficult and emotional time for the decedent’s children, other relatives, and friends. Where a will has been made by the decedent, it will lay out how that person wanted his or her property, assets, and belongings to be distributed to heirs and beneficiaries. In some cases, a son, daughter, or other relative may feel shunned or left out by the will’s contents or may feel that the will was not written or executed properly. This can then lead to a contest over the will.
If you are someone who is involved in a potential or ongoing will contest in Fort Worth, Houston, or the surrounding areas, you will likely need legal guidance about the matter. At Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law, you can work with an attorney who has 20 years of experience handling wills and probate matters in Texas. Our firm provides high-performance legal counsel in negotiating on your behalf in will disputes or in litigating such issues in the courtroom. We will work closely with you in striving to help you achieve the favorable results you seek in any will contest.
Contesting a Will in Texas
A will that has been properly written and executed according to law is not a document that can easily be overturned. However, should it be shown in court that certain issues in its execution were questionable, the matter can be litigated in court. In general, you must have “standing” and grounds to contest a will. “Standing” refers to the idea that you have a financial interest in the terms of the will and its resulting estate.
Under Texas probate law, those who have standing to contest a will would be the parties mentioned in the will, such as:
- Spouses
- Children
- Stepchildren
- Other relatives
- Other beneficiaries
- Any party with a claim against the estate
These are termed heirs, spouses, devisees, creditors, and any other party with a property right or valid claim against the estate. For example, creditors who are owed money by the estate may also contest the terms of the will if those terms prevent them from being reimbursed for valid debts.
The grounds for contesting a will would consist of reasons why the will should be overturned with new terms replacing old ones. Common grounds for disputing a will can include fraud, undue influence (where the person wasn’t acting on their own free will or was acting without understanding what the consequences would be), a mistake in fact, improper execution of the will during its execution and signing (procedural errors), the fact that the decedent who wrote the will had a diminished capacity, such as from a cognitive disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s, or that mistakes in the accounting of the estate were made. Also, if a later will has been found that might have superseded the earlier one, it may also become the grounds for a dispute.
Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law – Here to Assist You in Any Contested Will Case
If you need legal representation in a will contest, whether as an heir, beneficiary, other interested party, or as the executor of the estate, we urge you to turn to our firm. With over two decades of experience in handling even the most extensive and complicated of probate matters, our firm understands all of the intricacies involved in handling these issues both inside and outside of the probate courtroom. You can count on us for dedicated legal service aimed at helping you achieve the positive outcome you seek.
Get your complimentary consultation with a Houston & Fort Worth lawyer concerning your will contest by calling (346) 384-8768 for Houston and (817) 532-6797 for Fort Worth today.
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WE have vast experience protecting the rights of Texans in these areas.
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 Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly.
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