Best Probate Lawyers in Midland, TX

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Midland, Texas?

  The Midland Police Department’s non-emergency line is 432-685-7110.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Midland, Texas?

  To get a copy of an accident report, make a request at the Records window of the Midland Police Department located at 601 N. Loraine Midland, TX 79701. The Records window is open after 1 p.m. Please note that accident reports may take five days from the date of the accident to become available.

  To get a copy of an offense or incident report, make an online request through the Midland Public Records Request Center: https://midlandtx.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(1obcfqo0gvjbyu2wpz3arqgn))/SupportHome.aspx?lp=2 Please allow 10 working days for your online request to be processed.

• Where do you file probate in Midland?

  According to Texas Estates Code Section 33.001 the venue for probate will be their county of residence in the state. For decedents who resided in Midland, the probate must be filed with the Midland County Probate Court located at Midland County Courthouse 11th Floor 500 N Loraine St., Midland, TX 79701.

• Is probate still required if the decedent was a non-resident who owned property in Midland?

  Yes. In order for the property to be transferred to the new owners, an ancillary probate in Midland must be initiated. This type of probate applies to real estate as well as tangible personal property such as cars, boats, planes, livestock, and mineral, oil, and gas interests. The decedent's original probate will be completed in the decedent's home county and exemplified copies of that probate will be submitted to the probate court serving Midland.

• Can you dispute a probated will in Midland?

  Yes, you have two years from the date the last will and testament was probated to lodge your dispute. Some common will disputes include undue influence or errors during the will preparation, and the presence of evidence that signifies a valid modification of the will. Conflicts and delays may rise from will disputes.

• Do you have to file for probate right away in Midland?

  No. According to Texas Estates Code Section 256.003, if the decedent left a will, you have four years from the date of their death to initiate probate proceedings in Midland. If a will is not probated within the deadline, the estate may be distributed according to Texas inheritance laws. This four-year deadline is not applicable if there is no will.

• Do all estates need to go through the probate process in Midland in order to transfer the assets?

  No. Small estates can avoid probate and be distributed to heirs by completing a Small Estate Affidavit within 30 days of the decedent's death. According to Texas Estates Code Section 205.001, the estate's value cannot exceed $75,000, and the decedent must not have left a will. It should be noted that the $75,000 valuation must exclude the homestead and exempt assets such as jointly owned properties.

• What does a probate attorney do?

  Probate attorneys are licensed professionals who represent executors and heirs after someone has died. They provide personalized legal advice, assist with tax planning, settle debts, and facilitate the distribution of assets. Probate attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by probate courts, although some litigators focus on handling disputes and lawsuits related to contested estates.

• What is probate court?

  Probate court works with the family or beneficiaries of a deceased person to validate their last will and testament. The courts review the individual's will to identify and calculate assets, pay off remaining debts, and distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries per the deceased person's requests. Depending on state laws, property valued under a certain amount may not require probate.

• How long do you have to file probate after death?

  The amount of time loved ones have to file a will after a person dies varies from state to state. While California courts require probate to be filed within one year, New York has no deadline. That being said, it's advisable to file probate as quickly as possible once a person has died, as the process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year.

• Does life insurance go through probate?

  Life insurance doesn't need to go through the probate courts if the deceased individual has named a beneficiary on their policy. However, life insurance policies without beneficiaries, or with beneficiaries who are either deceased themselves or cannot be contacted, go directly to the deceased individual's estate. When this happens, life insurance proceeds must go through probate court to determine how funds should be allocated.

• Do household items go through probate?

  While the exact rules do vary from state to state, most household items don't require probate and are automatically left to immediate families unless otherwise stated in the deceased person's will. When it comes to property, only items above a certain value or held in title are required to go through probate in most states.

• Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

  In the event a beneficiary has been named, bank accounts are not required to go through probate and will be paid directly to the person designated by the deceased individual. However, should that individual be deceased themselves or if contact cannot be made after a certain period of time, funds will be allocated to the estate and put through the probate process.

• What happens if no probate is filed?

  Depending on the circumstances, probate may not be required in all cases. If a person passes on and their remaining property is jointly owned, it automatically transfers to the other owner. However, if a property is not jointly owned and no probate has been filed, the executor of the will won't be able to transfer titles or cash assets to beneficiaries. Be aware that the specific laws surrounding probate requirements vary from state to state.

• What is probate real estate?

  Probate real estate is the process that happens when a realtor steps in to handle the sale or transfer of a deceased person's owned home to another individual. In some cases, the house is sold as a means of liquidating assets, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay debts or are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Can I probate a will or estate without an attorney?

  It is possible to probate a will and close an estate without hiring an attorney. However, it requires multiple steps and an understanding of the law. The first step is to petition the court to appoint a representative for the estate. Next, the executor must notify all heirs and creditors before switching ownership from the decedent to the estate. Once all debts, taxes, and final expenses have been paid, funds can be transferred to heirs. To close an estate, the executor must submit a report showing the court that all obligations and final wishes have been satisfied. While a will and estate may seem straightforward, things can get complicated quickly if multiple heirs are involved, or if disputes or disagreements arise over distribution. A probate lawyer can help navigate these disputes effectively, and take pressure off the executor when beneficiaries aren’t getting along.

• How many years can an estate remain in probate?

  If the will or proposed distribution of property is contested, an estate may remain in probate for several years. The timeline depends on how long relatives have to initiate probate, how long creditors have to come forward, and how busy the courts are. In some states, such as Florida, relatives have just 10 days to initiate probate, and the entire process takes approximately six months. In other areas, such as Massachusetts, the process can last one to two years, although the majority of probate activities occur in the first nine months. The value of the estate also affects the duration of the case. For example, California and Texas have simplified procedures for smaller estates, such as those valued at $150,000 or less.

• When is a will's probate an automatic process?

  Probate is the legal process of validating a last will and testament to ensure that the decedent's wishes are followed. A probate judge may automatically clear wills if they're accompanied by an affidavit from the decedent, a notary, and a witness. Some assets, including financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, and funds held by certain types of trusts don't have to go through probate.

• What does it mean when property is under probate?

  Real estate that's under probate is typically liquidated through the court system, which is most common when someone dies without a will. Home buyers who are interested in this type of property must follow special rules regarding deposits, which are sometimes nonrefundable, and buyer's premiums. Additionally, the court must approve the purchase price.