North Texas Trust and Estates Attorneys that Will Guide You Through the Process
Ensuring an orderly transition of your wealth
Probate occurs after what is, typically, a painful emotional loss. Admitted to practice law in 1999, attorney Earl A. Hargrave has years of experience in probate law; he knows how to ease the stress of probate by guiding executors and beneficiaries through the process.
The process of probate
Most executors have rarely, if ever, probated a will. They know little about the process. Attorney Earl A. Hargrave can guide you through all aspects of probate, including:
- Filing the will with the Texas probate court
- Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate
- Finding and collecting assets
- Closing and opening bank accounts
- Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
- Alternatives to probate
- Paying estate taxes
- Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate
- Locating beneficiaries
- Hiring experts, when appropriate
Valuing and managing the estate
Our staff helps executors with the arduous process of collecting, managing, valuing, protecting and liquidating the assets of the estate. When appropriate, the firm calls upon accountants, financial advisors, real estate agents, property managers and other professionals to assist with executor duties. We understand the need for expert opinions about unique assets such as antiques, rare books, automobiles and other collectables for accurate valuation, management and possible sale.
Probate disputes
Even in apparently straightforward estate cases, there are sometimes disputes between beneficiaries. Our attorneys’ professional courtroom presence can calm the emotionally charged process of probating a challenged will or a disputed executor or judicial decision. When it is in your best interest to preserve cordial familial relationships, we are adept at mediating these disputes. When necessary, we assertively defend our clients’ beneficiary rights within the Texas probate court.
Contact a thorough estate planning lawyer at Hargrave Law, PC
For your free initial consultation, call us at 817-282-0679 for your free initial consultation, or contact us online.