This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
Only an estate valued over $50,000 must be probated when there is a will. The court has a “small estate proceeding” when the estate is below $50,000.
Probate opens in the deceased's state of residence. You cannot move probate to your state. If the decedent owned property in other states, you must also open ancillary proceedings in those states. You may need to retain legal counsel in each state to help with ancillary probate.
There is no specific deadline set by the law for filing probate after a person's death. However, it is highly recommended to commence the probate process promptly, as it may require several months to a year to reach completion.
Only an estate valued over $50,000 must be probated when there is a will. The court has a “small estate proceeding” when the estate is below $50,000.
Some states will not require probate at all under certain circumstances, such as a small estate that has no debts and no real estate to be distributed. To further complicate the matter, some states (like North Carolina) allow their threshold to be bypassed if the whole estate is transferred to a surviving spouse.
Each state has its own set of laws governing the probate process. For example, in California, probate must be filed within 30 days of discovering the will, while in Texas, executors have up to four years to file.
Probate laws differ depending on the state where the assets are held. Even if you and the deceased lived in the same state, they might have property elsewhere, leaving you with multiple probate cases to handle.
Independent Administration Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary. Form 7-2. Application for Probate of Copy of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary. Form 7-3. Application for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters of Independent Administration. Form 7-4.
If you are dealing with an estate where you are the only beneficiary or heir, you are not legally required to hire an attorney. If the estate has more than you as the beneficiary or heir, then you do have to hire a probate attorney.
An Independent Administration is the least burdensome and likely most common form of probate in Texas. The Will has to specifically authorize an Independent Administration and most Wills drafted by competent Texas attorneys do.