When a loved one passes, settling their estate can feel overwhelming. We help Houston families get through it.
Estate settlement doesn't wait. Once someone passes, Texas law sets deadlines for filing with the probate court, notifying creditors, and distributing assets. Miss those windows and the process gets harder. Harris County Probate Courts handle thousands of cases every year, and delays pile up fast. [1] We've seen families lose months, and money, because they waited too long to call an attorney. If there's real property, bank accounts, or investments involved, you'll almost certainly need legal help. If the will is being questioned, you need someone in your corner. Or if there's no will at all, you need help right now.
When someone dies without a will in Texas, the state decides who gets what. We guide families through intestate administration quickly.
Homes and land can't just be handed over. Proper legal transfer through probate protects the new owner's title.
More heirs means more chances for disagreement. We help keep the process moving and disputes from taking over.
Being named executor is a big responsibility. We stand beside executors so they don't make costly mistakes.
Creditors have the right to file claims. We help sort out what's valid and protect the estate's value.
When family or property crosses state lines, things get complicated fast. We handle ancillary probate and coordinate across jurisdictions.
Some firms pass you off to a paralegal after the first call. That's not how we work. Troy Moore handles every estate settlement case personally. He's been doing this since 2001, and he's seen what happens when families go without good counsel. The estate loses value. Heirs fight. Deadlines get missed. Calling us early changes that outcome.
Don't let the estate sit while deadlines pass. Our probate attorney services are available now, and Troy is ready to help your family move forward.
The process is straightforward when you have the right attorney guiding you.
You call us and tell us what's happened. Troy reviews the estate details with you personally. We identify what needs to be filed and how fast.
We prepare and file all required documents with the Harris County Probate Court. Troy represents you at every hearing. You don't have to figure out the courthouse on your own.
Once the court approves everything, we help coordinate the transfer of assets to the right heirs. We handle creditor claims along the way. When it's done, the estate is closed properly and legally.
Estate settlement costs depend on how complex the estate is. A simple estate with one property and clear heirs costs less than one with multiple assets, disputes, or missing documents. Houston estates with real property in Harris County often involve extra court steps, which affects the total. We give you a clear fee picture before any work begins. No surprise bills. In our experience, families who call early spend less overall because we catch problems before they grow.
Here are the questions Houston families ask us most often.
Most Houston estate settlements run between $1,500 and $8,000 or more, depending on the estate. Simple cases with a clear will and one or two assets cost less. Disputes, missing documents, or multiple properties push the cost higher. We give you a straight answer on fees before anything starts.
A straightforward Texas probate case typically takes four to six months. Harris County court backlogs can stretch that timeline. Contested estates or missing heirs can take a year or more. Starting early and filing correctly the first time is the best way to keep things moving.
Texas law allows independent administration in some cases, but mistakes are costly. We've seen families file incorrectly and lose months of progress. If real property or significant assets are involved, an attorney protects you from errors that are hard to fix later.
Probate is the court process that validates a will and authorizes asset distribution. Estate settlement is the broader process of gathering assets, paying debts, and transferring property to heirs. Probate is usually part of estate settlement, not a separate thing.
Texas requires a will to be filed with the court within four years of death. Miss that window and independent administration may no longer be an option. Creditors can also make claims during the process, so waiting gives them more time to act. Starting fast protects the estate.
If the deceased owned real property in their name alone, probate is almost always required in Texas. Bank accounts with named beneficiaries or joint ownership may pass outside probate. The best way to know is to call us and go through the assets together. It's a short conversation that saves a lot of confusion.
This is one of the hardest situations we handle. Without a will, Texas intestacy law determines who inherits. But family disagreements can turn that into a court fight fast. We've represented heirs in Houston estates where no will existed and tempers ran high. Having Troy in your corner early keeps disputes from getting out of control.
