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Probate

Dallas-Fort Worth Probate Lawyers

Strategic & Effective Legal Guidance for Families & Individuals

Have you been named the Executor of a will? If so, the assistance of a qualified estate planning attorney will allow you to carry out your duties in a simplified and streamlined manner. Turn to Crain & Wooley to work with our Dallas-Forth Worth probate lawyers to ensure probate is seen through properly and efficiently.


For a free consultation, please call (972) 945-1610 or use our convenient online scheduler to select an appointment time with a probate attorney in Dallas-Fort Worth. 


How Does Probate Work?

Probate is the legal process that is necessary to recognize a person’s death and administer their estate. Many people believe that court is reserved solely for disputes – and that is where misunderstanding regarding probate can begin. It is imperative to understand that not every probate involves a dispute or contest. Sometimes the probate process concludes without any disagreement. Disagreement or not, probate guides how assets will pass from a deceased person to their beneficiaries.

There are 8 general steps included in the probate process:

  1. Filing an application for probate in the county where the decedent lived
  2. Posting notice of probate at the courthouse
  3. Validating the will before a judge
  4. Completing an inventory of all assets
  5. Identifying beneficiaries of the estate
  6. Notifying the decedent’s creditors
  7. Resolving legal disputes
  8. Distributing the assets

The probate process is either expedited or hindered by the type of will administration outlined in the decedent’s last will and testament.

There are two basic types of will administration in the state of Texas:

  1. Dependent Administration
  2. Independent Administration

If a will does not contain specific language outlining the type of estate administration the author desired along with the number of required witnesses and more, then Texas law requires the probate court to provide strict oversight and approve each step of the estate administration process.

Why Do I Need a Probate Attorney in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Most probate courts in Texas usually require an executor to be represented by an attorney in a probate matter. This is usually required because an executor not only represents himself but also the interests of beneficiaries and creditors. Under Texas law, only a licensed attorney can represent the interests of others, which means preparing and filing pleadings in a probate matter without the assistance of counsel would constitute the unauthorized practice of law. While courts allow limited exceptions to this rule, the result is that executors in Texas almost always have to hire an attorney to help them navigate the probate process. For experienced guidance, reach out to a probate attorney in Fort Worth at Crain & Wooley -- we are ready to help you and answer any of your questions.


Contact a Probate Attorney in Fort Worth online or call (972) 945-1610 today to make an appointment.


What Is Muniment of Title under Texas Probate Law?

A Muniment of Title is a simpler type of probate in which an executor need not be appointed to administer the estate. This means that no person has the legal authority to act on behalf of the state.

A will may be probated as a Muniment of Title if the deceased has:

  1. A valid will
  2. No debts at the time of their death (exception: a mortgage on their home)

Muniment of Title can be an efficient and affordable method of settling an estate, but it isn’t always the better option. This method of probate is not recommended if there are significant assets in the estate, beneficiaries of the estate are hostile toward one another, there are out-of-state assets, or the estate has significant debts.

Call a Probate Attorney in Fort Worth at Crain & Wooley Today

The probate process contains many variables, which is why you need experienced legal professionals like those at Crain & Wooley to guide you through each phase of the legal process. If you have been named as an executor of a will or administrator of an estate, our Dallas-Fort Worth probate attorneys can help. The legal responsibilities and liability that come with these roles can be overwhelming, but with our advice and extensive resources, you can feel confident your best interests are represented.


Speak with an experienced Probate Attorney in Fort Worth by completing an online form or calling (972) 945-1610. Crain & Wooley is ready to guide you.


What Type of Probate Administration Is Best for Me?

Our compassionate legal team understands that probate can be confusing if you lack a background in this area of law. If you have questions about which type of probate administration is appropriate for your situation, please click here to take our Probate Quiz. After answering a few simple questions, our probate lawyers in Dallas-Fort Worth can determine which process is right for you. Get in touch with Crain & Wooley today to discuss your probate concerns.

Ensure a Smooth Probate Process with Our Experienced  Dallas- Fort Worth Probate Attorneys

Probate can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially during an already difficult time for families and individuals. At Crain & Wooley, our experienced probate attorneys in Plano, TX are here to provide you with strategic and effective legal guidance to ensure a smooth probate process.

When you work with our team, you can expect:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of probate laws and regulations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
  • Personalized attention and support throughout the entire probate process
  • Expertise in handling various types of probate administration, including muniment of title
  • Timely and efficient handling of all necessary paperwork and court filings
  • Protection of your assets and interests during probate

By entrusting your probate needs to our skilled attorneys, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved one's estate will be handled with care and diligence. Schedule a free consultation with a probate attorney at Crain & Wooley today to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can assist you.

Free Consultations With a Probate Attorney

Crain & Wooley knows that a top priority when looking for an attorney is to spend money wisely. We also know there are firms that don’t offer the choice of a free consultation to potential clients. That’s why we want to make it clear upfront that you can spend absolutely nothing except a few minutes of your time in order to get a professional consultation. You’ll get good insight into how we can help before any financial obligation whatsoever.


Please contact us today at (972) 945-1610 or fill out our convenient scheduler to set up a free consultation with a probate attorney in Dallas-Fort Worth.


Satisfied Clients Tell Their Stories

  • "Thank you and God Bless you"

    Thank you for being my Living Trust and other Estate documents attorney. Due to our move and storage of business and personal documents, we had trouble locating & we took a lot longer to respond to your drafts, etc. You were very patient with me and my needing lots of explaining of legal terms and meanings. At my age, I was concerned about getting things done but wanting it all done right. You were very prompt in responding to my questions and I think by time of signing I felt confident we had things just the way we wanted to protect my heirs. Thank you and God Bless you.

    - Donna V.
  • "Very much appreciated"
    I am very much appreciated your service If anyone like me needed your service I will introduce about you. Everything you did with in a week. Very much satisfied all your service.
    - Sarah P.
  • "Smooth and easy"
    Learning about trusts at the meal was easy and educational. The set down at the office was where the finer points of trusts was explained. That is where and when we decided to make it safe and easy for our heirs. Our final meeting where we signed everything and an explanation of each item was given went smooth and easy. All in all I would say the investment in the trust was worth it.
    Thank you to Crain & Wooley office and staff
    - Anonymous
  • "Professional and knowledgeable"

    My husband and I recently had our living trust completed through the help of Crain and Wooley. Justin and his staffs are professional and knowledgeable. A special thanks to client education specialist Stephen. He is such a nice gentleman and always answers our questions clearly and right to the point, and always ready to help by answering your concerns promptly. We will certainly refer the law firm to our families and friends!

    - Susan X.
  • "Excellent, Highly recommend"

    We went to seminar to just find out what we needed to do for a will, They gave us all the info we needed right then there. Offered a really good price if we signed up to get one that day. A few weeks later after our appointment we have a Living trust. They were helpful with all our questions and were very thorough with these explaining the whole process. They stuck with the price that we paid + let us call anytime if we had any questions. Excellent, Highly recommend this company.

    - Linda B.
  • "So good to finally have a plan"

    After worrying about our lack of estate planning for years, it feels so good to finally have a plan in place. Thank you for making the process relativity painless and offering the educational support we needed.

    - Leslie W.
  • "5 Stars"
    Me and my appreciate Mr. Crosby we think that he was very professional in doing his job and we give him 5 stars when it come to him doing his Job.
    - James A.
  • "Overall experience was seamless"

    We recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by Crain & Wooley regarding wills and estate planning. Based on the information provided we decided to proceed with our estate planning with Justin and his team.  The overall experience was seamless and the process was clearly communicated. We had our homework and once that was completed, several iterations later we had our final walk-through and signed estate plan. We would recommend Justin to our family and friends.

    - Earl B.

Designed for Your Comfort & Convenience

Estate Planning With Us Means:
  • Flat-Rate Pricing*

    Finally, you won’t need a lawyer to understand your legal fees. We clearly communicate our pricing structure upfront, so you can feel comfortable with our service from start to finish. No surprises, no hidden fees. *Our flat rate fees apply only to proactive planning services.

  • Optional Lifetime Guarantee
    With our optional lifetime guarantee, your will and trust will be automatically updated over the years to ensure it stays current with best practices, reflects your current wishes and minimizes future confusion for your family.
  • Knowledgeable Service
    Laws change all the time. We stay up to date with all the latest information so that you’re covered. No one else in the region is as dedicated or educated in this area of law. We’re the experts so you don’t have to be.