Are You Going Through The Probate Process In Houston?
April 12, 2020
By Todd
I know… it’s kind of a pain.
So for your own peace of mind, here’s everything you need to know…
Documentation Needs To Be In Order
The first thing you’ll need to have is the will. You’ll also need to provide documentation that proves the will is valid (notarization, for example). If there’s no valid will, the courts will assign an executor to help with the process.
Notify All Creditors and Heirs
Be sure to let everyone know that you’re opening a probate case, especially creditors and possible heirs. You might even want to send paper notices via mail. As for debt and taxes, you’ll need to use the estate to pay them both off.
Take Stock Of The Entire Estate
To get an idea of how much the entire estate is worth (and how much you’ll have after paying off debt and taxes), make sure to consider everything that the deceased person owned. It’s a good idea to hire a probate attorney for this process.
Be Patient
The probate process takes quite a lot of time. Typically, probate will last for 24 months from the date of death. So take a deep breath and prepare for the long-game. Consider Selling — Believe it or not, you can sell the property during the probate process. If there’s a valid will present and you are the rightful owner, and you’d like to sell, give us a call.