Helping You Navigate Probate with Clarity and Compassion
When a loved one passes away, managing their estate can feel overwhelming—especially while you’re grieving. At Dankesreiter & Emmet, LLP, we guide families through the probate process with care, efficiency, and clear answers every step of the way.
Probate is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after death. This includes:
-
Paying final debts and taxes
-
Distributing assets to heirs or beneficiaries
Even if there’s no will, probate still takes place under Texas law (called intestate succession).
-
Not all property is subject to probate. Some assets pass directly to beneficiaries, including:
-
Joint accounts with right of survivorship
-
Life insurance, IRAs, or bank accounts with named beneficiaries
-
Assets in a living trust
We can help you identify what must go through probate—and what doesn’t.
-
Depending on your situation, there may be faster, more cost-effective probate alternatives:
-
Small Estate Affidavit – For estates valued under $75,000 (excluding homestead/exempt property) and with no will
-
Muniment of Title – For estates with no debt other than a mortgage; used to quickly transfer property without full probate
We’ll help determine if your case qualifies and guide you through the paperwork.
-
Dankesreiter & Emmet, LLP offers personalized probate and estate administration services, including:
-
Filing probate petitions
-
Representing executors or administrators
-
Handling disputes or unclear wills
-
Advising on property distribution
-

