Katy Probate Lawyer
Losing someone you love is never easy, and neither is settling their estate as you grieve. All estates must go through a lengthy and complex legal process known as probate in Texas. Probate is often confusing for those named executors or administrators, leaving many individuals unsure of their next steps. A seasoned Katy probate attorney can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as they guide you through every step of the probate process.
The knowledgeable attorneys at Stepp Law PLLC have years of experience helping executors and administrators settle the estates of their lost loved ones with ease. We are committed to honoring your family member’s memory by ensuring their wishes are faithfully carried out. Our compassionate attorneys tailor our approach to every case and aim to make the probate process as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Do I Need a Probate Attorney in Katy?
Since the executor or administrator acts on behalf of the estate’s heirs and beneficiaries, many major Texas counties require an attorney to navigate the probate process. A skilled attorney can help ensure you comply with the law while respecting your loved one’s final wishes. A dedicated Katy probate lawyer can help you protect your rights and avoid mistakes and delays as you navigate the complex probate process. Any error in the dense paperwork can cause significant delays, further complicating the probate proceedings. While hiring a probate attorney may not be a legal requirement in some counties, having one on your side can help you complete the process precisely and efficiently.
A trusted probate attorney can act in your stead to ensure the process is handled with care and expertise as you focus on caring for yourself and your family while you mourn your loss. We are proud to help families in Katy, Texas, and throughout the country inventory, settle, and distribute their loved one’s estate with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Ways a Trusted Probate Attorney Can Help You
When you are mourning a loved one, navigating the legal system alone may seem impossible. At Stepp Law PLLC, our attorneys are dedicated to helping you comply with the law as you settle your loved one’s estate in a way that respects their memory and final wishes. Some of the many ways our attorneys may be able to help you include the following:
- File all paperwork correctly and on time
- Inventory and secure the decedent’s estate
- Find and collect on the decedent’s life insurance policies
- Obtain accurate appraisals of the decedent’s assets
- Settle any outstanding debts
- Prepare the decedent’s final tax return
- Guide you through every step of the probate process
- Provide objective advice and answer your legal questions
Our Katy probate lawyers can work tirelessly to help you protect your rights and interests as you fulfill your legal responsibilities as your loved one’s estate executor. With our extensive expertise, skills, and resources, we can help the probate process proceed as smoothly as possible so you can focus on yourself and your family during this difficult time.
Which Assets Are Subject to Probate in Texas?
If an asset is listed in the decedent’s will, it is likely subject to probate. While assigning value to some assets may be straightforward, other assets like jewelry, heirlooms, and other valuable items can be more subjective and require an appraisal. A few common assets typically subject to probate include the following:
- Clothing
- Jewelry
- Personal possessions
- Real estate
- Vehicles
- Titled assets
- Household items
Probate assets must be settled and distributed under court supervision. However, many estates contain assets that can avoid the probate process. Non-probate assets you may identify during the process include the following:
- Pensions
- Bank accounts with named beneficiaries
- Jointly owned property
- Assets that have a trust designated as a beneficiary, also known as a living trust
- Life insurance policies
- 401ks
- IRAs
A compassionate and knowledgeable probate attorney can help you identify each of your loved one’s assets and appraise their estate. Our attorneys are familiar with the ins and outs of Texas’ complex probate process and are ready to employ our experience and skills to work with you and settle your loved one’s estate with compassion and care.
Contact an Award-Winning Katy Probate Lawyer
Losing a loved one can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you do not need to navigate the probate process and settle your estate alone. At Stepp Law PLLC, our Katy probate attorneys have years of experience helping executors and administrators protect their rights and interests as they fulfill their family member’s final wishes. When you partner with us, we will work with you to preserve the value of your loved one’s assets and help ensure they are distributed to the appropriate parties. To learn more about how we can help you and schedule a consultation, call us today at 713-336-7200 or complete our contact form.