Settling a loved one’s estate involves legal steps, paperwork, and deadlines. Probate provides structure for that process. Understanding your role and responsibilities helps things move forward smoothly.
North Carolina’s laws provide a safeguard for surviving spouses. Under North Carolina law, a spouse can claim a certain share of your estate when you die, regardless of what your will says. This share is
“Will it be necessary to hire a lawyer to go through probate?” That’s a question I get each week from Texans who have lost friends and family members. Often, the decedent’s Will appoints them as
An Affidavit of Heirship is a legal document that summarizes the deceased person’s family history and the identity of their heirs. Although it is not a formal adjudication like probate is, an affidavit that is
When a person dies and probate is necessary, a court will appoint a personal representative to oversee the winding up of the decedent’s affairs. Executors and administrators are both classified as “personal representatives” of the
His dad had been sick and weak. He didn’t even have the strength to write his own name. Nevertheless, after his father died, his stepmother produced a deathbed Will for probate that left all her
John and Jane Doe didn’t always live in Texas. Earlier in their marriage, they lived in another state, where John purchased a house the couple lived in and raised their children. Although they have since
A man who was named independent executor in a Will called me. Someone told him that as the independent executor, he had the right to distribute Testator estate any way he wished. He was calling
If an executor is named in a Will, then that person is generally the most logical person to file an application to probate the Will. The Texas Estates Code also provides that the applicant may be
According to Section 33.001 of the Texas Estates Code, a will should be admitted to probate in the Texas county where the decedent was domiciled or had a fixed place of residence. If the decedent
I received a note recently from someone whose brother had recently passed away. Her brother was divorced and had no children. He was survived by four siblings. Both his parents were deceased. His savings account
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From simple wills to complex trust plans, clients consistently note Rania’s responsiveness, clarity, and care throughout the process.
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The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as offering legal advice or creating an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this website without seeking appropriate legal advice about your individual facts and circumstances from an attorney licensed in your state. Rania Combs is licensed to practice law in Texas and North Carolina. Rania Combs is physically located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and meets with clients in Houston, Texas by appointment only.
