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Best Probate Lawyers in Waco

2024

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Website
7901 Fish Pond Road, Suite 210, Waco, TX 76710
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Carpenter & Croft PLLC is a small law firm with three very experienced attorneys who represent families and individuals, operating from their offices in Waco and serving clients throughout the surrounding communities. The firm's probate practice handles all administrative responsibilities, such as advising executors on matters of law, gathering up the decedent's entire estate, investigating claims from potential creditors, and distributing the remaining estate in line with the stipulations in the will.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
J. David Carpenter - Partner46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
400 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Pakis, Giotes, Page & Burleson PC is a firm of experienced probate lawyers in Waco, founded in 1963 to serve clients throughout the surrounding cities. The firm's practice areas include probate law, where its attorneys represent families and individuals, such as executors, heirs, and potential heirs. Its services include supporting executors, administering the estates of decedents, and resolving disputes between heirs and beneficiaries. The firm also practices business law, tax law, and personal injury.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Artie Giotes - Partner59 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
5400 Bosque Blvd., Suite 603, Waco, TX 76710
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Karl R. Quebe Attorney at Law serves individuals and families in Waco and nearby metros. It offers legal guidance and representation in different aspects of probate law. The firm helps clients protect their investments through its estate planning solutions. It also caters to entrepreneurs dealing with bankruptcy disputes. Principal partner Karl Quebe has been practicing law for more than four decades. He is a member of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel and the Commercial Law League of America.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
111 South Waco Street, Hillsboro, TX 76645
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Kara E. Pratt Attorney At Law is a small firm that serves the Waco metro area. Attorney Pratt is a 1995 Baylor University graduate who has extensive experience helping clients through the emotional and legal stresses associated with probating the will of a family member. The firm's services typically include petitioning the proper probate courts to begin the process, publicly notifying creditors of its timescales, and ensuring beneficiaries receive their inheritances as soon as possible.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kara Pratt - Principal28 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.8 / 5 (20)
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1521 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Milam & Fanning caters to clients in Waco who need estate planning services. It helps individuals plan the future of their families and estates to prevent arguments and protect their vulnerable loved ones. It also assists clients in creating and preparing their wills, trusts, transfer on death deed, guardianships, and living wills. In addition, the law firm represents clients involved in domestic violence and sexual assaults. One of its partners, David Fanning, has been practicing probate, personal injury, and family law since 2004.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jason Milam - Partner11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.0 / 5 (41)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (41)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1508 North Valley Mills Drive, Waco, TX 76710
  • Probate Litigation
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Law Firm of Walt Fair, PLLC, is a legal practice and a full-service title company serving clients throughout the Waco area. It is composed of a team of attorneys with extensive experience in handling the probate and estate planning concerns of individuals, families, and business owners. It handles cases involving trusts, asset protection, wills, healthcare directives, and probate and estate administration. Company principal Walt Fair is an adjunct professor licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission to teach Law of Contracts at a local college.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Walt Fair - Founder40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.0 / 5 (31)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
400 Austin Avenue Suite 1000, Waco, TX 76701
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Tekell & Tekell LLP helps clients deal with the probate process in Waco. It represents individuals and families in estate litigation and will disputes. It also handles related issues involving breach of duty, fraud, theft, forgery, and abuse of power by a fiduciary or executor. Partner attorney David Tekell is certified in consumer and commercial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been in the legal field for over 30 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.8
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
801 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Hutson & Harris, Attorneys & Counselors serve the Waco and surrounding areas like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. It offers estate planning and probate by preparing wills and setting up trusts. It assists with criminal defense, commercial litigation, mediation, and immigration services, as well as cannabis law, personal injury, and wrongful death. Will Hutson and Chris Harris were featured in the New York Post, Wall Street Journal, and The Huffington Post for educating people about the law through their music.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Will Hutson - Partner21 yrs
Chris Harris - Partner26 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (51)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (16)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
220 South Fourth St., Waco, TX 76701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick & Dickson PLLC is a medium-sized law firm based in Waco, founded more than half a century ago to serve families and individuals throughout Texas. Its probate practice offers a full range of services, from standard administration of the decedent's will to litigating in intestate cases and where there have been allegations of fraud, fiduciary duty breaches, and mental incapacity. The firm also operates from offices in Dallas.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Rick Brophy - President47 yrs
Rick Bostwick - Founding Partner46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2624 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76710
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Callahan & King, PLLC, is a law firm that serves clients in Waco. It provides legal services to clients dealing with probate law and helps set up trusts and wills. The firm manages criminal defense cases, assisting individuals charged with felonies, misdemeanors, and probation revocations. It also handles family law cases with a focus on child support and divorce concerns. One of the firm's namesakes, Robert Callahan II, was one of the National Black Lawyers' Top 100 Lawyers in 2016.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Robert Callahan - Managing Partner18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.0 / 5 (45)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
901 S. Valley Mills Dr., Waco, TX 76711
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Atkins Wright PLLC is a multi-practice firm serving clients in Waco. It represents personal representatives in estate administration proceedings following the death of a loved one. The law firm also helps clients navigate the legal aspects of real estate transactions, select and establish business entities, and avoid consumer fraud. Its attorneys, J. Patrick Atkins and Henry W. Wright, have more than 40 years of combined legal experience. Atkins is a member of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
5207 Lake Shore Drive, Waco, TX 76710
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Burgett Law Firm, PLLC, provides trust administration and probate services. This Waco-based law practice was started by Michael Burgett, an estate planning and probate attorney who has two decades of professional experience and knowledge of state laws. Burgett helps clients navigate a streamlined legal process. Aside from special needs and living trusts, his other services include estate, legacy, ranch, real estate, and nursing home planning. In addition, Burgett is an American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys member.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mike Burgett - Principal8 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2720 Risinger Rd, Lorena, TX 76655
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Bushman Law Firm, LLC protects families and preserves their legacies through its services. It caters to those in Waco and other nearby communities. Tyler Bushman is the attorney in the firm, and he practices estate planning to help families secure their futures. His services include creating plans to protect assets, transferring intangible gifts, naming godparents, and creating wills to take care of children in case of incapacity or death. Tyler is also a member of groups that focus on family wealth planning.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
1701 Columbus Ave., Waco, TX 76701
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Krasienko Law Firm helps Waco individuals and families deal with estate issues. Lori Krasienko and her team assist in preparing medical and durable powers of attorney, legal wills and trusts, and succession plans for business owners. They counsel families in navigating the probate process, including litigation, and prepare solutions to minimize delays. Krasienko has been practicing law for more than 15 years. She is also the founder of the non-profit, Waco TECH (Technology Expanding Community Horizons).

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.8 / 5 (11)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
FindLaw
0.5 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    For non-emergency matters, residents can contact the Waco Police Department at (254) 750-7500.

  • If a resident in Waco has passed away, is it necessary to go through probate to transfer their assets as per their will?

    Yes, it is. For residents of Waco, probate is a crucial step in the post-death estate handling process. The Texas Estates Code stipulates that a will doesn't officially confer title or possession rights to any property until it's officially recognized or "admitted" in probate. This step is required for the legal transference of the deceased individual's assets to their named heirs or beneficiaries.

  • What is the typical duration of probate in Waco?

    The length of probate in Waco depends on factors such as estate size, complexity, locating beneficiaries, and potential challenges. While most cases conclude within three to six months, certain matters have taken decades to resolve. If disputes arise, the process can further extend. It is recommended to engage an attorney to navigate the complex probate laws, gain clarity on the matter, and make well-informed choices throughout the process.

  • What is the process of settling a deceased loved one's debts as an executor in Waco?

    In Waco, an executor or administrator must meticulously scrutinize the decedent's financial documents, formally announce the death to creditors, often via the local newspaper, and reconcile any lingering financial obligations with the estate's assets. Texas law dictates the payment sequence to creditors, prioritizing federal taxes and funeral costs. Typically, creditors cannot claim non-probate assets or those passed directly to heirs without probate, with exceptions in unusual situations.

  • Can Waco residents opt for mediation in cases of will disputes?

    Absolutely. Waco citizens are encouraged by state law to consider peaceful options such as mediation for pending litigation, including conflicts involving wills. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows involved parties to work out disagreements outside court. Each party occupies a separate room in this setup, and an experienced mediator, frequently a retired probate judge, facilitates the negotiations. Often completed within a day, mediation can occur before or after a lawsuit is lodged.

  • In Waco, does a surviving spouse require probate, and what factors determine the need for it?

    In Waco, the necessity of probate is determined by the nature of assets within the deceased spouse's estate. Probate is essential only if the decedent held probate assets, those solely in their name. Conversely, assets jointly owned or with beneficiary specifications are non-probate. Establishing a living trust allows the beneficiaries to acquire the trust's assets without probate. Similarly, joint ownership with the "right of survivorship" enables the spouse to inherit the property without probate upon death.

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