Best Probate lawyers in Texas

5,597 Probate Lawyers in Texas

>5.6k

experienced lawyers

Roger Sinclair Jones

P.O. Box 3323, McKinney, TX

Estate Planning Litigation Probate +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

13 Apr, 2016 by Anne

Consulted with Mr Jones regarding family member's estate. He was extremely professional, very personable, and very patient in answering my questions. I highly recommend him.

18 Mar, 2015 by Jason

Much like some other reviewers, my father passed without a will. Everything seemed to be in order until my siblings and I each received a letter that was concerning...and none of us knew what to do about. We tried the route of "look it up online", but all it did was cause more confusion. I reached out to Mr. Jones' office and explained my situation. Mr. Jones called me back in a timely manner, provided us with much needed guidance, and put us at ease. I have not had many dealings with attorneys, but the few that I have were not nearly as satisfactory as this. I had prepared myself mentally to pay SOME amount of money for his time, but Mr. Jones did not charge me for his "priceless" advice. I was treated with respect, and I feel like he genuinely cared about my situation...much like I was a long time client. I hope this doesn't come across as some "mindless, can do no wrong, glowing review". I am not the review leaving type, and for me to do this says something. As I get older and have a family of my own, Mr. Jones will be the one to handle my estate planning.

22 Jul, 2014 by Chuck p

My father died without a will and had property out of state. This was a complicated matter that my family and I have been trying to resolve since 2012. I called Mr.Jone's office explaining my situation. Mr.Jones called me back within 30mins and listened our case. Mr.Jones genuinely cared about our situation and took it upon himself to call the attorney we were working with in Louisiana. Something that took us 2 years to resolve; with Mr.Jone's help we were able to resolve the matter in less then 2 weeks. We all have stereotyped lawyers and attorneys and I will tell you that Mr.Jones was either. Since there wasn't any paper to be done in Texas, Mr.Jones and his office did not charge for his time and efforts in resolving our issue. This is unheard of in today's society and it put my faith back in humanity. There are individuals that truly care about your situation and not looking to make a quick buck. I cannot thank Mr.Jones enough for his efforts and I would highly recommend anyone needing a probate lawyer to contact Mr.Jones. Thank you!

Lisa Marie Galvan

1777 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX

Business Estate Planning Probate +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

15 Mar, 2017 by Tim

Lisa Galvan Law facilitated the probating of my father’s will. Lisa outlined and explained the overall method thoroughly and a fixed price fee was quoted. Lisa is very knowledgeable about the probate court process and our hearing was without issues and very quickly handled by the court. As a result of our smooth probate experience, we are engaging Lisa Galvan to assemble our last will and testament.

18 Apr, 2016 by Jovon watford

Had an inquiry regarding HOA situation I had. This attorney was clear, polite, efficient, knowledgable and gave me the right information on how to proceed in a short period of time. The easiest attorney to work with. She seems to have a high level of integrity, character, and customer relation skills that puts her head and shoulders above other lawyers. Five star review from me for sure.

07 Apr, 2015 by Jeannette

Lisa is engaging, knowledgable, and friendly. She guided me through the process and met the deadlines we established early on. I would recommend her for all your real estate needs.

Kelly Christopher Kocurek

700 Lavaca Suite 1300, Austin, TX

Business Estate Planning Probate +3

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

27 Aug, 2015 by Cindy

Kelly has been extremely helpful with my estate planning needs over the last several years. He has had to educate me from the ground up, and has done so in a very thorough, professional and caring manner. I am very comfortable and confident with the documents and plan we have created. I highly recommend Kelly because of his competence, professionalism and excellent communication skills. And because he is a genuinely nice person.

06 May, 2015 by Lawrence

I'm an attorney and I've referred several clients to Kelly for wills and estate planning. Without exception, everyone I've sent to him has come back to me and thanked me for recommending Kelly. They compliment his responsiveness, his ability, and his bedside manner. I'd recommend clients to him without any hesitation.

02 Feb, 2015 by Kathleen

Kelly Kocurek is an excellent attorney. I have used his services for business incorporation and estate planning. He accomplishes your requests rapidly, saving you time and money. I highly recommend his legal expertise!

Amanda Michelle Bergstrom

611 West 14th Street, Austin, TX

Business Estate Planning Probate +3

5.0/5

5.0

4 Reviews

5.0

4 Reviews

13 Sep, 2023 by James wofford

Got a winning judgment thanks to Brian and David. These guys are intimidating, effective, and have an excellent track record. Definitely going back if there’s ever a legal issue

12 Dec, 2019 by Jenna noel

I have worked with Brian and David on multiple occasions. I highly recommend them and their paralegal Rob. I couldn’t be happier with how my cases were handled. The attorneys were knowledgeable and experienced and I able to get great results.

08 Dec, 2019 by Jay irion

Brian and David are hands down, the best lawyers that I have ever worked with.

Terrence Leslie Ridgely

4100 Spring Valley Rd Ste 870, Dallas, TX

Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

23 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous

Dealing with a very scary legal situation. Terrence gave me outstanding personal service and I cannot recommend him enough. Family law, criminal, no matter the issue, just reach out to him and he'll make sure you're WELL taken care of!

27 Oct, 2016 by Tofique

Hired for 2 cases and referred for one. He won all 3 cases. Great Fast & Dependable. A+++++. Terrence thanks for all your help.

26 Oct, 2016 by Tiffany

When Life Happens...There is a Court System that you don't understand and a Judge who is a complete stranger to your situation that gets to decide the fate of the rest of your life. Our case was complicated and it went against the grain of what a Texas Family Law Court traditionally will allow. Over a period of about 6 long months we met with various "The Best" Family Law attorneys....Most wouldn't even take our case - said there's no way we would win. Others said they could WIN OUR CASE without even hearing one word about it. Then there were a few that said they could get close to what we were asking but not all and it would cost us close to $20,000 or maybe even more. Custody Case Expert, Attorney Terrence Ridgely, answered our initial call 10 pm at night - while he was out with family. He didn't put us off to the next day during business hours - no he started working on our case right then and there. He didn't just tell us he would win our case - he told us HOW he would. He prepared us for the battle we were about to take on. And took every frantic call, email, and text. And guess what y'all. He more than won the case. And at such a fraction of the cost I am embarrassed after the fact I didn't come up with more. He deserved it. We owe everything to him. We have our Baby Girl. PS He won through knowing the law and passionately caring about the best interest of this little baby girl. No trickery. No Slick Under handed tactics - although he battled them front he opposing side for months

Travis R. Thompson

14405 Walters Road, Houston, TX

Adoption Child Custody Family Law +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

05 Feb, 2020 by Ian

Travis is a consummate professional with an astounding knowledge base, unparalleled experience, impeccable communication, negotiation, and and client service skills. His team is just as professional, responsive, and helpful as he is. Acquaintances of mine that have dealt with other family law attorneys have NOT had the same experience that I had. I feel really lucky that I hired Travis.

04 May, 2018 by Mandy

I am thankful to the person who referred me to Law Thompson. Mr. Thompson and Alfonso, nice, kind and very professional. When visiting the office they make your visit comfortable and pleasant. When calling or emailing the office if not available they will get back with you they will not ignore you. I will and I have refer Law Thompson to family and friends. If I may add, secretary Jolene another sweet and kind person. Great office staff all around. Thank you.

17 Apr, 2018 by Isabel

I am very thankful for Travis and Alfonso, they were very straight forward when to me about what to expect during my child custody/support case. Travis extensive experience as a lawyer helped me get a good deal in both aspects and Alfonso with his awesome personality and knowledge helped me kept a cold head when I would get upset about the situation I was going thru.

Marshall Francis Jacobini

100 Energy Way, Fort Worth, TX

Business Estate Planning Family Law +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

21 Sep, 2018 by Bev

Bravo Marshall! I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your hard work and success with my case. I could not have done it without your help and expertise. You are the BEST!!

06 Feb, 2017 by Takiyah

When you get dragged into a family law case, I promise you that it is going to be one of the most stressful and devastating times of your life. You will be emotionally drained, financially drained, and mentally drained the entire time you endure your case. Coming from someone who was dragged into a custody battle, please heed the following advice: FIND YOURSELF A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY WHO IS A STRONG LITIGATOR. You may be tempted to hire your next attorney based off of their firm’s advertisements. I’m sure you have seen the firms that advertise they are the “the father’s rights firm,” or they “exclusively practice family law.” As reassuring as these marketing claims may sound, their extensive knowledge of the law should not be the selling point for you. It needs to be their extensive knowledge of the law AND LITIGATION that convinces you to pull out your wallet and retain them. There are a lot of family law attorneys who know the law, but they are NOT strong litigators. Trust me because I had to pay for TWO lawyers who fell into this category and I was getting beat up without mercy in court. I literally had a meltdown because I was getting beat up in court so much with one of the other attorneys that I genuinely felt like I was going to lose my child. I finally got wise, dumped my previous attorney, and hired my next lawyer from Justice Law Firm. Anyone can know how the rules of a particular game work on paper, but that doesn’t mean that they know how to move and work their opponent on the court. A LITIGATING attorney knows how the rules work on paper, but more importantly, they know how to move and work your opponent (opposing party) on the court. You need a strong litigator because the family court is a place where lies abound. Expect everyone to lie about everything and if you have a strong, litigating attorney, he or she is going to easily expose just how much the opposing party is lying. Had I not retained Justice Law Firm, a boutique family law firm with LITIGATING attorneys, most of the lies that the opposing party was trying to tell would have made into the court room and I could have potentially paid three times as much money fighting in court as I did. My particular attorney, Marshall Jacobini, is a very strong litigator! In court, Marshall shut down the opposing party’s lies all throughout her testimony and during cross-examination. His litigation style is structured, calm, collected, and focused, but irritatingly persistent. This litigation style made the opposing party reveal her aggressive, combative, and manipulative nature in front of the judge. Marshall Jacobini is a very perceptive strategist. He is a lethal combination for the opposing party because of his legal knowledge, litigation style, and his candidness in telling you (his client) the truth about your shortcomings and strengths. He does a great job at communicating with you and framing your expectations in court so you can come out of this war with the least amount of damage and scarring as possible. He knows how to read a court room and work his legal arguments accordingly to strategically give you the best possible outcome given your particular circumstance. More impressively, he came in and cleaned up in 3 days what my former attorney from another prestigious law firm in the area had messed up for five months. He caught a number of errors in my suit that my former attorney had overlooked. The result was that Marshall got my case dismissed. Marshall Jacobini, Tracey Justice, and the rest of the staff at Justice Law Firm stopped the bleeding for me. They stopped the mental, emotional, and financial bleeding. For that, I will forever be their biggest advocates. You can and should trust this team with the future of your family because I assure you, they will fight for you like you are a part of theirs!

29 Oct, 2016 by Jeff

I was in serious need of new counsel after my very unreliable lawyer withdrew from my case right before final trial. Mr. Jacobini took the time to guide me through the process to handle the situation as best I could literally days before my final custody hearing. I can't express how helpful he was in informing me of my options and steps required to take action and calm my fears, all this just during an extended consultation. In a sea of sharks here is a solid stand up reliable fella who will have your back and truly represent your best interests and if my motion for continuance goes through in court you can bet I'm going to try like hell to hire him.

Jason Ray Hanna

55 Waugh Drive, Suite 150, Houston, TX

Elder Law Estate Planning Probate +3

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

06 Jun, 2023 by Ken

I went to Jason with property/financial issues involving my aging sister with Alzheimer's. Jason provided many different options to assist me with her property, finances, Will, POA, etc. His knowledge and ability to explain in layman's terms is superb. He was always so patient, kind, helpful, and took the time to explain everything. After completing many documents for my sister, my wife and I returned to Jason for Wills, POA, Medical Directives, etc. for us and again were more than pleased and thankful for his service.

28 Aug, 2019 by Gloria jeffers

Jason Hannah handled a lawsuit that my siblings brought against my mother trying to take away her half of my parents businesses from her. He handle her with kit gloves. I was her power of attorney. The firm that he was with at that time never sent us copies of the briefs that were turned into the court that they would file representing my mother. Almost 2 years later I finally got copies. I was so impressed with the way he handled the lawsuit brought against my mother, I was left speechless. As you can imagine, they did not win. My mother subsequently died, and everything remained As she wanted it to be. But this was only thanks to Mr. Hannah.

07 Oct, 2018 by Cynthia

I hired Jason Hanna when a dishonest contractor cheated me out of a sizable amount of money. Mr. Hanna was extremely approachable, attentive, knowledgeable, and HONEST. The amount of relief I felt knowing that he was handling everything for me was measurable. He made all the stress and pressure I was feeling vanish. I can’t thank him enough for turning a very bad experience into a very good one, and in a timely manner at that! I am thrilled with the outcome and give Mr. Hanna my highest recommendation.

Rodney C. Koenig

1301 Mckinney St Ste 5100, Houston, TX

Business Probate Tax +3

5.0/5

5.0

8 Reviews

19 Jun, 2024 by Sir john

04 May, 2024 by Alejandra robles

Súper surtido 🥰

01 May, 2023 by Desiree yazell

Amazing lawyers they truly make you feel like family

945 Bunker Hill Rd Ste 680, Houston, TX

Estate Planning Probate Real Estate +3

+1 (844) 923-2419

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

01 Apr, 2020 by Ryan

I would highly recommend Tyler Swain. He prepared our wills and powers of attorney. He was informative and very helpful to our specific needs.

31 Mar, 2020 by Joe

Mr. Swain has been my "go to" lawyer for nearly 20 years. He has helped me with Real Estate transactions, Business Formations and Dissolutions, Business Agreements and Estate Planning. I have found him to be responsive, competent and highly professional. When I have approached Tyler with issues outside his expertise he has introduced expert lawyers including employment law and sale of businesses, sometimes putting together a team to best accomplish the task. I highly recommend him.

31 Mar, 2020 by William

It has been my pleasure to have had the Swain Law Firm represent myself and my family several times in the past. I have used the firm for probate and real estate matters. Service and guidance with the firm has always been of the highest quality. I would have no hesitation whatsoever to recommend Tyler and his firm to anyone seeking legal counsel.

Karin A. Carson

4110 Rio Bravo Suite 220, El Paso, TX

Elder Law Estate Planning Probate +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

10 Sep, 2020 by Laura

Karin very patiently worked with my mother to prepare her will several years ago and later helped us to fulfill her desires by processing the needed filings and transactions for disposition of the assets. Karin is both professional and compassionate.

30 Aug, 2019 by Jeanne

Karin did a probate for us siblings. She was very good in responding back to my emails. Also, her pricing was excellent! She charged a third of what the first lawyer we contacted wanted. I would definitely recommend her.

10 Jul, 2019 by Linda

Ms. Carson was most gracious and helpful. She promptly returned my call and expertly guided me to the best course for me and my family. I highly recommend her!

Farren Marie Sheehan

1601 E Pfennig Ln, Pflugerville, TX

Business Estate Planning Probate +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

06 Dec, 2017 by Ken

I'm 84. Several times in my lifetime I've needed to make minor changes or additions to our wills. Each time the new Lawyer has insisted that we need to rewrite the whole package of death-related documents and charged accordingly. Farren added TOD's & codicils, recorded them, and kept the whole thing simple, understandable, & affordable.

18 Mar, 2016 by Bob

My mother is 94 years old and she needed some changes in her will. Ms Sheehan was excellent and we able to explain everything to her and to us which enabled us to make clear decisions to help her to make the changes to distribute her estate as SHE wanted. Ms Sheehan took time and was gentle, kind and very understanding of the needs of an older adult. We are so thrilled to call her our Attorney and now a good friend.

05 Nov, 2015 by Hugo

I have known Farren Sheehan for 2 years and I have used her to confer with business decisions for my Landscaping Company. She has also advised me on real estate transactions for a home in the Houston Area. I find her to be very willing to investigate all the options for me and not just take the easy way. Farren has a knack for making you feel comfortable enough to ask questions and does not talk “over your head” in legalese. I have other ideas for some business ventures and I will use her for legal questions as well as my mentor because she also runs a small business she understands the issues.

David Heller

2002 Fry Road, Houston, TX

Car Accident Family Law Personal Injury +1 +4

+1 (281) 717-6537

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

21 Feb, 2019 by Heber

Mr. Heller took my phone call in a short notice, and gave me a free consultation the very next day. Really glad with the results and outcome that I referred him to my friends and family.

19 Mar, 2018 by Maxine

Just a "short" 15 minute "free" phone consultation. An excellent tactic to gain clients. David knows his "stuff". Unfortunately, I've dealt with a lot of lawyers in my life. David asked the "right" questions, and came up with several possible solutions. I plan to hire him.

10 Nov, 2017 by Misty

Mr. Heller took my personal injury case after a major accident that me and my 3 children were in. He fought to get the max amount for all of us. If I ever need another personal injury (hopefully I don’t but.. if I do) I will hire him again. He is straight forward with you and honest.

Christstachia Robinson Tefera

1205 Hall Johnson Road, Colleyville, TX

Estate Planning Family Law Probate +3

+1 (817) 653-8772

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

30 Aug, 2019 by Brishay

My husband was deploying to Afghanistan and we were selling our home at the same time. With him being out of the country he would not be there when we sold our home. We were able to reach out to Attorney Tefera to obtain a Power of Attorney so that we would have no issues when the house sold. She was wonderful to us and we will be using her again for future needs.

10 Dec, 2015 by Jesse

Special thanks to Jessica and Christy her team they were always available to answer my millions of questions I had. Chrissy was fully prepared when we went to court and the judge granted full custody to me.

18 Nov, 2015 by Wendy

Ms. Tefera handled my divorce. Initially, I hired another lawyer who never returned my calls or responded to my emails. This went on for months until I consulted with Ms. Tefera. We discovered that my case was soon going to be closed due to this lawyer not doing any work on it. Obtaining Ms. Tefera as my lawyer was the best decision I could have made. She and her staff made the process smooth, and they were always available to answer any questions or concerns I had. My divorce was finalized within a short period of time, and for this I am very grateful!

Elizabeth Ann Brenner

4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Bldg. 4, Suite 100, Austin, TX

Estate Planning Probate Trusts +3

+1 (512) 623-7613

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

06 Dec, 2020 by Melissa

Elizabeth was our second attorney on our case. In a shorter amount of time Elizabeth was able to present, argue and win our case. She was so organized the entire time. She answered my calls and emails very promptly. Don’t waste your time and money like we did on anyone else. Hire her now!!!

09 Feb, 2018 by Paul

Last year I hired attorney Liz to help me with the probate of my brother's estate in Austin. I had earlier talked to several other local probate lawyers. Liz was far more knowledgeable and experienced. She worked with me for over a year, guiding me successfully through the probate proceedings in the Austin probate court. She was very skilled,always helpful and easy to work with at all times. Her attorney fees were always reasonable. I most strongly recommend her to anyone needing a probate lawyer.

24 Sep, 2015 by Kelli

Elizabeth helped us with wills/medical documents. She is very knowledgeable and helped us tremendously. She even brought up legal issues we hadn't thought of so that our documents were comprehensive and fully expressed our wishes. I appreciated how thorough she was and that she explained everything in detail. Her law firm has a very nice office with a professional team. She was also very timely in responding to us.

Matthew Joseph McDonough

22211 W. Interstate 10, San Antonio, TX

Elder Law Estate Planning Family Law +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

25 Feb, 2019 by Annette

Matthew created my will and then I returned for him to create my Medical POA, Durable POA, and Advanced Directive- he did a great job viewing all my options and walked me through each part of the process.

14 Nov, 2018 by Jim rector

Matt did a phenomenal job. He helped my in laws with their wills and did an amazing job. I have to say that my in laws are in the Nineties, he was patient, kind and did a magnificent job of articulating why he did what he did as well as methodically walking them through the entire document. I can’t give him enough credit for a perfect experience. We are recommending him to everyone we can.

01 Nov, 2018 by Christopher

Matt helped me out during a very difficult time. My divorce was not as messy or complicated as most may be, but it was far from easy or simple. Matt took care of everything and we both felt like it was a fair outcome. He was extremely capable and concise throughout the whole process. Even when things changed and speedbumbs occurred, he kept with us til the end. Highly recommend Matt.

Alexander Wright Vollmer

405 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX

Consumer Protection Criminal Defense Family Law +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

31 Oct, 2020 by Will

Alex told me what to expect and prepared me for everything I would encounter. I had a much easier time than I imagined and felt a lot more confident with Alex handling matters for me.

12 Sep, 2017 by Bridgett

My case was a transfer case and I had no idea where to begin. I stumbled upon Alex online and hiring him was the best decision my family and i could've made. He set my mind at ease and handled things in such a timely manner. He made me feel like more than just a case number. For the longest time I just felt lost in the system. He gave me my name back. I highly recommend hiring him!!!! Thank you so much Alex!!!!!

23 Aug, 2017 by Renee

Alex was very clear and knowledgeable. He made things extremely flexible for me and understood where I was coming from on things. This was my first time needing a lawyer and he made me feel comfortable with him and easy to trust him. Don't be afraid to ask him questions, because I did a lot, he knows we don't know all the law terms and law ways. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Alberto Virgen

1018 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX

Criminal Defense Immigration Personal Injury +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

07 Dec, 2017 by Elsa

Mr. Virgen helped us with my mother's estate. He was very professional, explained things in detail and was very honest. I have dealt with many attorneys in my life. Virgen & Virgen are absolutely the best! If you are in need of legal assistance, I highly recommend this law firm. Both attorneys are very knowledgeable and very professional.

29 Jul, 2017 by Stephen

Attorney Alberto Virgen was highly recommended to me when my legal status needed removal of temporary status . I was under great stress at that time ,plus Time was short adding to my stress levels . Upon contacting Attorney Alberto Virgens law office ,speaking first with his staff and then Attorney Alberto Virgen I was VERY IMPRESSED with their friendly , professional , close attention approach and concerns for my individual legal status here in USA . From first meeting to completion , of my case .Attorney Alberto Virgen were a great support to me . Their high level of professionalism and concern for me was very reassuring during the process of having my status updated to " all restrictions removed " I am and always will be indebted to Attorney Alberto Virgen and all his staff from his law office who did a fantastic representation of me ,my case . I highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance with their legal concerns . Yours faithfully Stphen C

28 Jul, 2017 by Dalila

Mr. Virgen has handled an immigration case behalf of myself, a citizenship case for a friend and a divorce case for my husband. In each of our cases, Mr. Virgen was prompt, responsible and friendly. He made sure we understood the complexities of the processes involved so that we could make informed decisions. In meeting with Mr. Virgen and discussing our cases, we could plainly see that Mr. Virgen cares about his clients and cases. We have since moved out of the area and have chosen to keep Mr. Virgen as our lawyer. He always responds promptly when contacted and has proven to be a great choice for a lawyer. Mr. Virgen is very professional and we will continue have Mr. Virgen represent us in the future.

Elizabeth S. Hilbun

12527 Cypress North Houston, Cypress, TX

Estate Planning Probate Trusts +3

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

08 Dec, 2021 by Natalie

Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Well, in this case, it is not! In my experience, Elizabeth's approach with me as her client is that she truly cares about setting my family up for an easy transition to taking over the legal matters of my estate when the time comes that they will need to do so. It's not a matter of if, but when. That's a scary thing to think about. However, with Elizabeth's expertise and years of experience of probate law, she truly understands how to leave behind a legacy of love. The last thing you want your family to have to deal with if something unexpected (or not) happens to you, is trying to figure out how to manage your estate or worse, not having the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf. Having a Will in place protects your family from a lot of the legal & family conflict they may face in trying to make necessary decisions. Don't put off setting up your legacy of love.

01 Apr, 2017 by Joe

Ms. Hilbun and her firm have handled my parents estate for four years, during which time they have helped brother and I navigate all manner of challenges and problems arising from my parents changing needs, from their physical disabilities to their declining faculties, and always with compassion and patience. Her firm's close attention to our situation, to include helping me stay informed and closely involved even though I live out of state, is a peace of mind I value dearly.

08 Apr, 2015 by Teresa

During the time I was a main care giver for my 86 year old mother, Elizabeth and her firm were compassionate and attentive to our emotional needs. Our family received the legal guidance we needed during this time. I was educated on the processes that would have brought financial relief for my mothers care. After my mother passed Elizabeth continued with her legal and my support during a very difficult time.

Kirt Harold Kiester

611 W 14th St, Austin, TX

Business Probate Real Estate +3

5.0/5

5.0

3 Reviews

5.0

4 Reviews

13 Sep, 2023 by James wofford

Got a winning judgment thanks to Brian and David. These guys are intimidating, effective, and have an excellent track record. Definitely going back if there’s ever a legal issue

12 Dec, 2019 by Jenna noel

08 Dec, 2019 by Jay irion

Brian and David are hands down, the best lawyers that I have ever worked with.

Rwan Saffarini Hardesty

229 S. 9th Street, Midlothian, TX

Estate Planning Family Law Probate +3

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

19 Aug, 2019 by Christine

I highly recommend Rwan Hardesty for anyone seeking an effective, fair, honest, and hard-working lawyer. Rwan represented me in a very tough civil case involving defamation. Not many lawyers are willing to take on defamation cases as they are hard to win on either side and laws/rules/procedures around this topic are constantly changing and developing. If you believe your case to be beyond the realm of Rwan’s “normal services”, check in with her and see, she’ll give you an honest opinion/recommendation. My case lasted for a couple of years and even involved an appeal. Rwan is honest, fair, effective and always open to hear and listen to my concerns (no matter how bizarre and type A of concerns they were). Beyond that, she is highly intellectual and discovered (through her many hours of work) several loopholes, clauses, etc that assisted my case. Rwan helped to make this experience a smoother and more affordable one for me and I cannot stress enough how honest and hardworking this woman is, ready to respond and communicate at all times. She’s a real shark, but a nice one! She won EVERY SINGLE case/motion against me, including in appeals court. Rwan Hardesty was recommended to me by a lawyer family member and I am highly satisfied with not only the outcome of my case, but my overall experience as a client with the Hardesty law firm.

28 May, 2017 by Robert

Rwan is an excellent attorney. She is very thorough and responsive. She actually was in a position where she could have made more money at my expense but did not. She gets results! Highly recommended!

21 Jun, 2016 by La tricia

Rwan is very professional and her client are her top priority. I received a parking violation that came with a hefty fine and Rwan knew exactly what to do. She immediately sent a letter on my behalf and I never heard from that company again. She's thorough and proficient and I respect her as an attorney.

Jared Allen Greathouse

408 W. 11th Street, Austin, TX

Business Estate Planning Litigation +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

27 Sep, 2023 by Elliot

I hired Jared Greathouse at the suggestion of my CPA. Jared helped me with numerous years of R+D Credit to save 10s of thousands on my Tax Returns. He went above and beyond in communicating with the IRS when they wanted additional information. In additional, we consulted with him over several real estate concerns. I found him to be friendly, knowledgeable, and probably the best attorney that I have worked with. Thanks Jared.

13 Apr, 2020 by Christina

Jared is a very knowledgeable professional. I started a new business and his knowledge and guidance has been invaluable. I had him review a business contract and he found some items that needed to be updated and include legal terminology. If your a business owner, I highly recommend Jared Greathouse.

07 Apr, 2020 by Donna

Jared has consulted with me professionally on several business matters. His breadth and depth of knowledge and the understanding of the inner workings of the law were incredibly helpful for me in my own business decisions. After consulting with him, I felt much more confident in making the business decisions I needed to make. Not only that, he is personable and very easy to talk with. For these reasons and more, I highly recommend Jared Greathouse for your business law needs.

Jo Ann Bui Leslie

Dallas, Dallas, TX

Estate Planning Probate +2

5.0/5

5.0

7 Reviews

21 Oct, 2017 by Jennifer

Joan is a very caring, personal, and knowledgable attorney. She helped me with a variety of things I needed to take care of while I was grieving the passing of my husband. She handled the things that needed to be done to sell real estate that was titled in my husband's name and other estate admininstration aspects that I would not have been able to do on my own or even have known where to begin. I am so grateful for her experience and really, her consideration of my emotions during such a difficult time.

21 Mar, 2012 by Rick & marti

Mrs. Leslie helped my wife and I assemble our wills with accuracy, professionalism and promptness. The most impressive part of all this is she was pregnant and just days away from having child. Being that my wife and I just had a baby ourselves, we were particularly impressed with her abilities under her personal circumstances. With her charming personality and razor sharp intellect, she helped us mold the most important documents we will ever create. Our wills. We are forever grateful.

14 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous

Joan was very professional and thorough in helping us with our wills. She was very knowledgeable and really made sure that we understood our options and the law. We had put off doing our wills for too long and she made it easy and took the right amount of time with us. We both feel great about our decision to work with Joan and have recommended several of our friends to use her as well.

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What a Probate Lawyer Can Do for You

A probate lawyer assists with the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This often involves guiding executors (if a will exists) or beneficiaries (if no will exists) through the probate process to settle the estate according to the deceased’s wishes or applicable laws. Probate lawyers can help validate the will, distribute assets, resolve disputes among heirs, handle outstanding debts or taxes, and ensure the estate is legally and efficiently administered.

Whether you’re an executor of an estate or an heir facing probate proceedings, a probate lawyer can help you navigate the often-complex legal process to ensure the estate is settled correctly.

When Should I Hire a Probate Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a probate lawyer when you are responsible for managing the estate of a deceased individual, especially in the following situations:

The estate has substantial assets: If the estate includes significant assets like real estate, investments, or business interests, legal assistance is often necessary to handle the distribution properly.
The will is being contested: If there are disputes among heirs regarding the validity of the will or the division of assets, a probate lawyer can help resolve the conflict.
The estate includes complex or unclear provisions: If the will contains complicated instructions or there are no clear beneficiaries, a lawyer can ensure that the estate is administered according to legal requirements.
There is no will (intestate estate): When a person dies without a will, the estate is subject to intestacy laws, which determine how assets are distributed. A probate lawyer can help navigate this process.
Debt or tax issues exist: If the estate owes significant debts or is subject to estate taxes, a probate lawyer can help ensure debts are paid appropriately and taxes are minimized.
Probate disputes: If family members or other parties are disputing the distribution of assets or challenging the executor's actions, legal representation is crucial to defending your rights and ensuring the estate is handled properly.

Hiring a probate lawyer early in the process can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure the estate is settled efficiently.

What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?

A probate lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help manage and settle an estate. Their tasks can include:

Validating the will: Filing the will with the probate court and ensuring its legal validity.
Guiding executors or administrators: Advising the person responsible for managing the estate on their duties, including inventorying assets, notifying creditors, and paying debts.
Filing necessary paperwork: Preparing and submitting the legal documents required to initiate and complete the probate process.
Resolving disputes: Mediating or litigating disputes among heirs or between beneficiaries and executors, including challenges to the will or disagreements over asset distribution.
Handling debt and tax matters: Ensuring that outstanding debts, taxes, and estate taxes are properly calculated and paid from the estate’s assets.
Distributing assets: Ensuring that assets are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy laws, and that all legal requirements are fulfilled.
Closing the estate: Completing the final steps of the probate process, including filing a final accounting with the court and formally closing the estate.

How Are Probate Lawyers Paid?

Probate lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the estate and the nature of the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:

Hourly rate: Most probate lawyers charge by the hour, with rates depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the estate. Hourly rates can range from $150 to $500 or more.
Flat fee: For simple estates or straightforward probate tasks, some lawyers may charge a flat fee that covers all of the necessary legal work.
Percentage of the estate: In some states, probate lawyers are allowed to charge a percentage of the estate's value as their fee. This percentage typically ranges from 2% to 5%, depending on the size of the estate and state regulations.
Retainer fee: Some lawyers may require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the probate process progresses.

It’s important to clarify the fee structure during your initial consultation to understand how you will be charged and avoid unexpected costs.

How Much Does a Probate Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a probate lawyer depends on several factors, including the complexity of the estate, the type of legal issues involved, and the lawyer’s fee structure. General cost estimates include:

Simple estates: For estates with straightforward assets and no disputes, probate legal fees can range from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the lawyer's fees and the state's probate laws.
Complex estates: For larger or more complicated estates with multiple properties, business interests, or disputes, probate costs can exceed $10,000 and may reach $20,000 or more.
Hourly rates: If charged by the hour, expect rates between $150 and $500, depending on the lawyer’s expertise and geographic location.
Percentage fees: In some cases, a probate lawyer may charge 2% to 5% of the estate’s value, particularly for larger estates or those involving complex legal matters.

Always ask for a clear estimate of fees during your initial consultation to understand the total cost of probate representation.

How to Check the Credibility of a Probate Lawyer

To ensure you’re hiring a reputable probate lawyer, follow these steps to check their credentials and experience:

Verify their state bar status: Check with your state’s bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary action.
Look for probate experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in probate law and have experience handling estates of similar complexity.
Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for online reviews on platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said about the lawyer’s probate experience.
Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their professionalism and expertise in handling probate matters.
Look for membership in professional organizations: Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA) or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) can indicate a lawyer's commitment to estate and probate law.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most out of your first consultation with a probate lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

A copy of the will or trust (if applicable): Bring any estate planning documents left by the deceased, including wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.
List of assets and debts: Prepare a detailed list of the deceased’s assets (e.g., real estate, bank accounts, investments) and outstanding debts (e.g., loans, mortgages, credit cards).
Death certificate: Bring a certified copy of the deceased person’s death certificate.
Contact information for heirs and beneficiaries: Have a list of all individuals or entities named in the will or who are entitled to inherit under intestacy laws.
Questions about the probate process: Write down any questions you have about the process, costs, and potential issues you might face.
Relevant financial records: If available, bring any relevant financial documents, such as bank statements, property deeds, and tax returns.

By coming prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and allow the lawyer to provide the best advice for your situation.

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