Probate Court: What is Probate Court?

(And Why You Must Avoid It)

 

Think of Probate Court as a government-managed lawsuit you file against yourself after you die. It is the legal process where a court validates your will (if you have one), inventories your assets, pays off your creditors, and finally distributes what is left to your heirs. If you do not have a plan, the state has one for you—and it is rarely the one you would choose.

The stories I could tell you here…

Though far too many famous people

have left their families, forced to go through this.

Why You Want to Stay Out of It.

For the wealthy and the wise, probate is considered a "voluntary" mistake. Here is why we structure your estate to avoid it entirely:

•It is Expensive: Legal fees, executor fees, and court costs can drain a significant percentage of your estate before your family sees a dime.

•It is Public: Probate is a public record. Anyone—scammers, creditors, or nosy neighbors—can look up exactly what you owned, whom you owed, and who is inheriting your money.•It is Slow: In many states, assets are frozen for months or even years while the court processes the paperwork. Your family may be unable to access funds for immediate needs like mortgages or funerals.

•It Invites Conflict: The court process provides an open forum for disgruntled relatives to contest your will and fight over your legacy. The "State-by-State" Reality. It is critical to understand that probate laws are different in every state. What works in California or New York may not apply in Texas. You need a strategy built for where you live and where you own property. The Texas Rule: The $75,000 Threshold. Since you are in Texas, here is the specific reality you face: In Texas, the "magic number" is generally $75,000.

•Over $75,000: If your "probate assets" exceed $75,000, your estate typically must go through a full, formal probate administration. This is the long, expensive road we want to avoid.

Remember: Someone must Keep paying all of the bills while it’s in probate. Leaving many forced to sell their family's estate.Example: House payment, Monthly bills, Real Estate Taxes. Over the next 20 years, 90 Million families will be affected by probate.

LexisNexis: $2 Billion spent in probate every year. That’s $153, 000 Every day, and it could be Completely Avoided!

Don't let this happen to your family. Contact us now.