When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse frequently does not know that he or she needs to take any steps to probate the late spouse’s Will because both spouse’s names were on property, bank accounts, car titles, and so on.
In fact, one of the purposes of probate is to transfer titled assets to the deceased spouse’s beneficiary or beneficiaries—typically this would be the surviving spouse. If the deceased was intestate (which means that he or she did NOT have a will), the property passes to his or her heirs at law.
The need for probate often goes unrecognized until the surviving spouse tries to sell titled property like land or vehicles. Sometimes, the surviving spouse passes away and the burden is on the children to complete all the steps required to probate the estates of BOTH parents before the children can go ahead and liquidate the estate assets.
The deadline to probate a will in Texas is four years, but there are some options past the four year mark. Call Martin Millican Cooley today for a consultation. We can advise you if there is a necessity for probate, and if so, take the steps required to properly transfer the assets of the estate.
In fact, one of the purposes of probate is to transfer titled assets to the deceased spouse’s beneficiary or beneficiaries—typically this would be the surviving spouse. If the deceased was intestate (which means that he or she did NOT have a will), the property passes to his or her heirs at law.
The need for probate often goes unrecognized until the surviving spouse tries to sell titled property like land or vehicles. Sometimes, the surviving spouse passes away and the burden is on the children to complete all the steps required to probate the estates of BOTH parents before the children can go ahead and liquidate the estate assets.
The deadline to probate a will in Texas is four years, but there are some options past the four year mark. Call Martin Millican Cooley today for a consultation. We can advise you if there is a necessity for probate, and if so, take the steps required to properly transfer the assets of the estate.
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