Houston, TX Probate & Trust Administration Lawyer

Attorney for Estate Administrators in Houston, TX

If you have been named someone's estate executor or successor trustee, that person trusted you quite a bit. Guiding an estate through the probate process or managing a trust is a major responsibility. You may have what is called a fiduciary duty, meaning that you have a legal obligation to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries without regard for your own self-interest. You should be represented by your own experienced Houston area probate and estate administration attorney throughout the process.

The Fealy Law Firm, PC is highly experienced in helping executors and trustees navigate the challenges of probate or trust administration. Attorney Vicky Fealy is prepared for any challenge that may arise while you are handling an estate. She will provide skilled legal guidance and compassionate representation the entire time, whether you are settling a small probate estate or will be managing a long-term and complex trust for the foreseeable future.

Fiduciary Representation Attorney Serving Harris County

Having a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries of the estate you are administrating is a serious legal responsibility. Making a mistake or creating even the appearance that you have acted out of self-interest could lead to a lawsuit and liability to the beneficiaries. An attorney can help you avoid any potentially costly errors through careful oversight.

Texas Probate Litigation Lawyer

Probate litigation must be handled by a skilled attorney. Types of probate litigation issues Attorney Fealy can help with include:

• Executor removal issues,
• Contested appraisals,
• Inheritance theft and recovering stolen assets,
• Disputed creditor claims,
• Accounting of estate property disputes,
• Missing estate property and substitute gift claims, and
• Ownership of a family business disputes.

Attorney for Administrators of Contested Estates

Estate contests can be fierce. People who believe they should have inherited more - or should have inherited something - often bring these contests with or without a sound basis. If you are tasked with administering an estate when you are notified that someone is contesting the will or trust, you are likely responsible for representing the estate's interests. You will need an attorney to handle the contest.

Probate Lawyer in Fort Bend County

Probating a will is a complex and often costly legal process. The executor is responsible for numerous steps, including taking a careful accounting of estate property, notifying the testator's creditors and satisfying his or her debts, and actually distributing estate property once the court has given its approval. An attorney can help ensure that each duty of an executor has been met.

Each step in the probate process can bring unique challenges. Taking inventory of the estate may reveal that property assigned to one beneficiary has long since been sold. A careful investigation into the decedent's financial affairs might be required to ensure that all creditors have been identified and notified to prevent future litigation. Even notifying the beneficiaries can be challenging, especially in cases where the testator did not individually name them all or provide contact information.

Law Firm for Trust Administration

Administering a simple trust that distributes all its assets immediately could be less complicated than going through probate. However, trusts can be far more complex than that. Many trusts are designed to last a long time. You could be responsible for making regular distributions to each beneficiary over the course of many years, or even making distributions according to the beneficiaries' needs. Other trusts direct the new administrator to keep investing the trust principal to preserve wealth for future generations.

If you are managing a complex trust, you need an attorney's guidance.

Contact a Houston Area Probate and Trust Administration Lawyer

The Fealy Law Firm, PC is dedicated to helping estate administrators perform their duties. Knowledgeable Harris County, TX estate administration attorney Vicky Fealy will carefully guide you through the entire probate or trust administration process. Contact us at 713-526-5220 for a complimentary consultation.