When Probate is Necessary

Probate is an important part of the process of transferring a testator's property to his or her named beneficiaries. While some wills can be carried out without probate, probating a will is generally strongly recommended and is sometimes legally required.

To learn more about probating a will, contact the Austin probate attorneys of Slater, Kennon & Pugh LLP today at 512-338-1100.

When You Must Probate a Will

When a testator is the sole owner of property, he or she can choose to pass this property on to a beneficiary in a will. Probate is the process of legally transferring a decedent's property to the heirs listed in his or her will. The property is transferred by changing the name of the owner so that the heir or heirs are listed as the current legal property holders. Whenever property is passed on to others, probate is required by the state to validate the legal transfer of the property.

What Kind of Property is Probated?

In legal terms, property refers to anything owned by a person. Therefore, anything a person owns can be probated. Real property, which refers to a house, land, or real estate, can be probated if there is no other surviving joint owner and a beneficiary is listed in the will. Personal property, such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, and money can also be probated in the same way. A bank account that was owned solely by a decedent will become the rightful property of the beneficiary listed in the will, once the probate process is carried out.

If someone close to you has recently passed away and left a will that passes property on to others, consider contacting a probate lawyer immediately to administer the appropriate legal procedures. An experienced probate lawyer can help to expediently probate a will so that property inheritance is carried out smoothly.

Contact Us

For help with probating a will, please contact the experienced Austin estate planning lawyers of Slater, Kennon & Pugh LLP today at 512-338-1100.