Probate court moves fast and the rules are strict. You need someone who knows Harris County's courts inside and out.
Most families don't know they need a probate attorney until they're already behind. A loved one passes away. The estate has assets in their name alone. Now the court gets involved. Harris County Probate Courts handle thousands of cases every year, and the process has real deadlines. Miss one and you can face delays, fines, or worse. When there's no will, Texas intestacy law decides who gets what.[1] That outcome isn't always what the family expected. We've seen heirs in Bellaire and Memorial Villages lose months of time because no one filed the right paperwork early. Don't let that happen to your family.
When someone dies without a will, Texas law controls who inherits. Court proceedings are required to sort it out.
Being named executor is a legal job with real liability. One wrong step can expose you to personal responsibility.
Contested estates can turn into full courtroom fights. You need someone who will stand up for your rights.
Property can't be sold or transferred until probate closes. A skilled attorney moves the process forward faster.
Creditors have the right to file claims against an estate. We help protect the estate and the heirs from unfair demands.
Ancillary probate is required when a Texas resident owned property in another state. We handle the coordination so you don't have to.
Probate court isn't the place to learn on the job. Harris County's four probate courts run on strict procedures. A missed filing or a wrong form can set your case back by months. Troy Moore has worked these courts for over two decades. He knows the judges, the timelines, and the pressure points. And every client works directly with Troy, not a paralegal or a junior associate.
Probate court moves whether you're ready or not. Our probate attorney services are built for families who need real answers fast. Call now and talk directly with Troy Moore.
We keep the process clear so you always know where things stand.
You call and speak with Troy directly. He reviews the estate details and explains exactly what probate will require. No guesswork, no runaround.
Troy prepares and files all required documents with the Harris County Probate Court. He appears in court on your behalf and handles every hearing. You don't have to face the judge alone.
Once the court approves the final accounting, assets are distributed to the right people. We walk you through the closing steps so nothing gets missed. The estate is settled and your family can move forward.
Probate costs in Houston vary based on the size of the estate and how complicated the case is. A straightforward case with a clear will costs less than a contested matter heading to trial. Texas courts also charge filing fees, and those add up. Families often try to handle probate without an attorney. They spend more fixing mistakes than they would've paid for help upfront. We give you a clear fee picture before any work begins. No surprise bills and no hidden charges.
Here are the questions Houston families ask us most.
Costs range from around $1,500 for simple cases to $10,000 or more for complex or contested estates. The size of the estate matters a lot. So does whether anyone is challenging the will or fighting over assets. We talk through fees honestly before you commit to anything.
A straightforward probate case in Harris County typically takes four to six months. Contested cases can stretch to a year or longer. Harris County's four probate courts handle a heavy caseload, so timing depends on court schedules too. Filing everything correctly the first time keeps things moving.
Technically yes, but it's rarely a good idea. Texas probate has strict filing requirements and court procedures. One wrong form can delay the entire case. Families who go it alone often call us later. They need to fix problems that cost more to correct than hiring help from the start.
Uncontested probate means everyone agrees on the will and the distribution. The court process is straightforward. Contested probate means someone is challenging the will, disputing assets, or questioning the executor. Those cases require active courtroom representation and can take much longer to resolve.
Texas law gives you four years from the date of death to file a will for probate. Miss that window and the estate may be treated as if there was no will at all. That can change who inherits everything. We've seen families lose significant assets because they didn't act in time.
If the deceased owned assets in their name alone, probate is usually required. This includes bank accounts without a named beneficiary. It also includes real estate titled only in their name. Personal property of significant value counts too. Assets with named beneficiaries or held in a trust typically pass outside of probate.
Yes. Troy Moore handles every case himself and appears in court directly on your behalf. You won't be handed off to an associate or a paralegal. Last month a client came to us with a problem. Another firm had sent a junior attorney to their hearing. That attorney didn't know the case details. That won't happen here.
