Probate Blog
In-depth guides, timelines, and answers to common probate questions in Harris County, written by Houston Probate Attorney Kyle Robbins.
What Happens to a 401(k) or IRA When a Harris County Relative Dies
Inherited IRA rules explained for Harris County families. Learn what happens to a 401(k) or IRA after death, the 10-year rule, and when probate is involved.
Nov 4, 2026
Read More →Medicaid Estate Recovery in Harris County: Can the State Take Your Parent's Home?
Texas MERP can file a probate claim against a Harris County estate after a Medicaid recipient dies. Learn what assets are at risk and how probate affects the claim.
Nov 4, 2026
Read More →How to Disclaim an Inheritance in Harris County and Why Someone Would
Learn how to disclaim an inheritance in Harris County, Texas, the rules, deadlines, tax angles, and what happens to property after a valid disclaimer.
Nov 4, 2026
Read More →How to Claim a Deceased Relative's Unclaimed Property in Harris County
Find and claim a deceased relative's unclaimed property in Harris County, TX. Learn when probate is required, what documents the Texas Comptroller needs, and how Kyle Robbins can help.
Nov 4, 2026
Read More →Emergency Temporary Administration in Harris County When the Estate Cannot Wait
When a Harris County estate needs immediate protection, temporary administration under Tex. Est. Code Ch. 452 may be the answer. Learn how it works and when to act.
Nov 4, 2026
Read More →Undue Influence in a Will: How Harris County Courts Decide (and What You Need to Prove)
Learn how Texas courts evaluate undue influence claims in Harris County will contests, evidence, legal standards, and what families need to know before filing.
Oct 30, 2026
Read More →Affidavit of Heirship With a Will Attached: What Harris County Families Need to Know
Can you attach a will to an affidavit of heirship instead of probating it in Harris County? Probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains what Texas law actually requires.
Oct 29, 2026
Read More →Estate Bank Account Requirements in Houston: What Harris County Banks Ask For
Learn what documents Harris County banks require to open an estate account after death, Letters Testamentary, EIN, death certificate, and more. Houston guide.
Oct 29, 2026
Read More →Estate EIN in Harris County: When You Need One and How to Get It
Harris County executors: learn when your estate needs an EIN, how to apply with the IRS, and what happens if you skip this step. Houston probate attorney explains.
Oct 29, 2026
Read More →What Does a Harris County Probate Judge Do? A Houston Family's Guide
Learn what a Harris County probate judge does, which of the 5 Houston probate courts handles your case, and when you need an attorney. Harris County families, start here.
Oct 29, 2026
Read More →Harris County Probate Case Dismissed for Inactivity: Deadlines, Options, and Next Steps
Harris County probate case dismissed for inactivity? Learn what a DWOP means, your deadlines to reinstate, and how Kyle Robbins helps Houston families recover.
Oct 29, 2026
Read More →Who Can Hire a Probate Attorney in Harris County, Texas?
Find out who can hire a probate attorney in Harris County, executor, administrator, or heir, and who the attorney actually represents under Texas law.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →Accessing a Deceased Person's Safe Deposit Box in Harris County, Texas
Learn how Texas law governs access to a safe deposit box after death in Harris County. Kyle Robbins explains the supervised search process and when probate is required.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →Heir Property Homestead Exemption in Harris County: What Inheriting Heirs Must Know
Learn how Harris County heirs can keep the homestead exemption on inherited property using an ownership affidavit, and why probate still matters. Houston guide.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →Harris County Executor's Guide to the 90-Day Inventory and Appraisement Deadline
Harris County executors have 90 days to file a verified Inventory and Appraisement. Learn what the filing must include, what happens if you miss it, and how Kyle Robbins can help.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →Letters Testamentary in Harris County: How to Get Them and How Many Copies You Need
Learn how to get letters testamentary in Harris County, how many certified copies you need, and what the Harris County Probate Courts require. Guide by Kyle Robbins.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →How to Legally Reduce What a Harris County Estate Pays to Creditors
Negotiating is the last step, not the first. Four Texas statutes let a Harris County executor bar, reclassify, or shelter estate debt before any negotiation starts.
Oct 20, 2026
Read More →Online Notary After a Death: What Harris County Heirs Must Know Before Signing
Harris County heirs: learn which inheritance documents can be notarized online, which cannot, and why pressure to sign remotely may create serious probate problems in Houston.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Cash Offer on an Inherited Houston Home: What It Means Before Probate Closes
Received a cash offer for an inherited house in Houston? Learn what the number means, who can legally sell, and how Harris County probate affects the timeline.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Signed Over Your Inheritance in Harris County? Here's Whether You Can Undo It
Signed over your inheritance in Harris County and regret it? Learn when Texas law allows you to undo a disclaimer, assignment, or deed — and when it's too late.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Heir Hunter Fees in Harris County: What Texas Law Says They Can Charge
Heir hunter fees in Texas aren't set by law. Learn what heir locators can charge, how Harris County probate courts treat those fees, and what to watch out for.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Harris County Probate Records Are Public — Here's How Someone Found Out Your Relative Died
Harris County probate records are public. Learn how someone may have found out your relative died, what the court file contains, and what Houston families should know.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Probate Letter After a Death in Houston: Scam or Real? How Harris County Families Can Tell
Received a suspicious probate letter in Houston? Learn how to spot scam mail after a death, verify real Harris County probate notices, and protect your family.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Offered Cash to Sign Over Your Inheritance in Harris County? Read This First
Offered money to sign over your inheritance in Harris County? Learn what you're actually signing, your legal rights, and when to call a Houston probate attorney.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Trustee Duties After Death in Harris County: A Texas Law Guide for Successor Trustees
What Texas law requires of a Harris County successor trustee once the settlor dies, from marshaling assets to beneficiary notice and taxes.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Forcing the Sale of Inherited Property in Harris County: How a Partition Suit Works
When Harris County co-heirs can't agree, a partition suit can force a sale or division. Learn how Tex. Prop. Code ch. 23 works and what it costs.
Oct 12, 2026
Read More →Does an Executor Have to Disclose Flood Pool Status on an Inherited Barker Cypress Home?
Texas exempts an estate's fiduciary from the seller's disclosure notice, including the flood pool and reservoir questions added after Harvey. Here is why that exemption is narrower than it looks, and why using it on a Barker Cypress home is usually the wrong trade.
Oct 8, 2026
Read More →Can a Briar Forest HOA Foreclose on an Inherited Townhome While Probate Is Still Open?
Assessments do not stop when the owner dies, and the association's notices go to the address it has on file. Here is how condominium and subdivision foreclosure differ in Harris County, and how an estate stops the clock.
Oct 8, 2026
Read More →Who Signs for the HOA Resale Certificate When a Westchase Condo Owner Dies?
A Westchase or Briar Forest condo or townhome cannot be sold without a resale certificate, and only the owner can request one. Here is who makes that request after the owner dies, and how Harris County probate gets you there.
Oct 8, 2026
Read More →Transfer on Death Deed in Harris County: What the Heir Must Do After the Owner Dies
Your relative died leaving a Harris County transfer on death deed. What heirs must record now, and when probate is still required anyway.
Oct 7, 2026
Read More →Capital Gains Tax on an Inherited House in Harris County: What Houston Heirs Actually Owe
How stepped-up basis cuts the capital gains tax when Harris County heirs sell an inherited house, and why the date-of-death appraisal matters.
Oct 7, 2026
Read More →Will Contest Odds in Harris County: What Actually Determines Whether You Win
What are the odds of winning a will contest in Harris County? Probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains what actually moves the odds in a Texas will contest.
Oct 7, 2026
Read More →What an Executor Cannot Do in Harris County — Texas Law Explained
Learn what an executor cannot do in Texas — and how Harris County probate courts handle misconduct. Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains your rights.
Sep 22, 2026
Read More →Probate Mistakes to Avoid in Harris County: A Houston Family's Guide
Avoid costly probate mistakes in Harris County. Probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains the top errors Houston families make — and how to avoid them.
Sep 22, 2026
Read More →Selling an Inherited Home in Harris County Without Full Probate: What Texas Law Actually Allows
Can you sell an inherited house without probate in Harris County? Learn which Texas procedures work, when full probate is required, and how Houston families can move forward.
Sep 22, 2026
Read More →Inherited a House With a Mortgage in Harris County? Here's What Happens Next
Inherited a house with a mortgage in Harris County? Learn who pays, what the lender requires, and your options — from keeping the home to selling during probate.
Sep 22, 2026
Read More →Living in a Home During Probate: What Harris County Families Need to Know
Yes — but not automatically. Learn who can legally occupy a home during Harris County probate, Texas homestead rights, and what families should do first.
Sep 22, 2026
Read More →Lost the Original Will in Harris County? Here Is What Texas Law Allows
When a loved one dies and the original signed will cannot be found, Harris County families face a legal obstacle that goes beyond grief: Texas law may...
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →Accessing a Deceased Person's Bank Account in Harris County, Texas: What Families Need to Know
When a family member passes away in Harris County, one of the first practical questions that comes up is how to access their bank account. Banks will...
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →Executor Bond in Harris County: When It's Required and How to Avoid It
When a loved one passes away and you are named as executor of their estate, one of the first questions the Harris County Probate Court will ask is whether...
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →Removing an Executor in Harris County: Grounds, Process & Costs
When an executor is mismanaging estate assets, failing to file required documents, or simply refusing to do their job, beneficiaries in Harris County have...
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →Who Is Responsible for a Deceased Person's Debts in Harris County, Texas?
When a family member dies with unpaid debts in Harris County, the first question most families ask is whether they are personally responsible for those...
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →Surviving Spouse Rights in Harris County Probate: What Texas Law Entitles You To
Learn what a surviving spouse is entitled to in Harris County probate: community property, homestead rights, and when Texas law requires court. Houston probate attorney explains.
Sep 15, 2026
Read More →How to Transfer a Deceased Person's Car Title in Harris County Using Form VTR-262
Learn how to transfer a deceased person's car title in Harris County using TxDMV Form VTR-262. Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains the process step by step.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Ancillary Probate in Harris County: How to Probate Out-of-State-Owned Houston Real Estate
Out-of-state owner left Houston real estate? Learn how ancillary probate works in Harris County, which courts handle it, what it costs, and how to get started.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Attorney Fees in a Harris County Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case: Who Pays?
Texas breach of fiduciary duty claims are usually tort claims: fees aren't automatic. Learn when Harris County courts can shift attorney fees in probate cases.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Breach of Fiduciary Duty Examples: What Harris County Beneficiaries Need to Know
Learn real breach of fiduciary duty examples in Harris County probate: from executor self-dealing to hidden assets: and how Texas law protects beneficiaries.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Community Property and Probate in Harris County: What Houston Families Need to Know
Learn how Texas community property rules shape probate in Harris County: what passes automatically, what goes through court, and how Houston families protect real estate.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Texas Probate Deadline: How Long Harris County Families Have to File a Will
Texas law gives you 4 years to probate a will. Miss the Harris County deadline and you may lose the right to letters testamentary. Learn what to do now.
Sep 14, 2026
Read More →Liens on an Inherited Home in Harris County: What Every Houston Heir Needs to Know
Inheriting a home in Harris County often comes with more than the property itself. Many heirs discover, sometimes weeks or months after a loved one passes,...
Sep 4, 2026
Read More →How to Divide an Inherited House Among Heirs in Harris County, Texas
When someone dies owning a home in Harris County, the question of what happens next falls on the heirs, and the answer is rarely as straightforward as...
Sep 4, 2026
Read More →Can You Sue an Executor for Breach of Fiduciary Duty in Harris County?
Learn when Houston families can sue an executor for breach of fiduciary duty in Harris County probate courts, what remedies exist, and how Texas law protects heirs.
Sep 3, 2026
Read More →Contesting a Will in Harris County: Grounds, Deadlines, and What to Expect
Learn how to contest a will in Harris County Probate Court: grounds, deadlines, evidence, and what to expect. Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains.
Sep 3, 2026
Read More →Determination of Heirship in Harris County: What the Court Requires and How Long It Takes
No will? Harris County probate courts use a formal determination of heirship to identify legal heirs. Learn how the process works and what to expect in Houston.
Sep 3, 2026
Read More →How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Harris County?
Learn how executor compensation works in Harris County, TX. Texas law allows up to 5%: but key exclusions apply. Houston probate attorney explains the rules.
Sep 3, 2026
Read More →Named Executor Can't Serve? Here's What Harris County Families Do Next
Discovering that the named executor in a loved one's will cannot serve is one of the most common surprises Harris County families face during probate. Wills...
Aug 21, 2026
Read More →Out-of-State Executor in Harris County? Here's What Texas Law Requires
An out-of-state executor can absolutely handle Harris County probate, but Texas law adds requirements that a local executor would never face. If you've been...
Aug 21, 2026
Read More →Small Estate Affidavit in Harris County: Eligibility, Filing Steps & Costs
Learn how a small estate affidavit works in Harris County, Texas: eligibility rules, the $75K limit, filing steps, and when to call a Houston probate attorney.
Aug 19, 2026
Read More →Affidavit of Heirship in Harris County: What Houston Families Need to Know
Learn how an affidavit of heirship works in Harris County, TX: who qualifies, how it's filed, and when Houston families use it instead of full probate.
Aug 19, 2026
Read More →Harris County Executor Duties: What Texas Probate Law Requires of You
Learn what executor duties involve in Harris County probate courts. Probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains Texas law, timelines, and what to do first.
Aug 19, 2026
Read More →Muniment of Title vs. Full Probate in Harris County: Which Path Fits Your Estate?
Comparing muniment of title vs full probate in Harris County? Learn eligibility rules, timelines, costs, and which Texas procedure fits your estate situation.
Aug 19, 2026
Read More →When Can Beneficiaries Access Money Before Probate Ends in Harris County?
Learn when Harris County beneficiaries can access funds before probate ends: bank accounts, TOD assets, and Texas law explained by Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins.
Aug 17, 2026
Read More →How Can Houston Probate Attorney Kyle Robbins Help You File Probate in Harris County, TX?
Wondering who can help you file, or apply, for probate in Harris County? Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains what filing involves, what it costs, and how to start.
Aug 14, 2026
Read More →Probate Assets in Harris County: What Goes Through Court and What Transfers Automatically
Learn which assets require probate in Harris County and which pass directly to heirs. Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains Texas law for local families.
Aug 14, 2026
Read More →What to Do If You Can't Afford a Probate Lawyer in Houston
Worried you can't afford probate in Harris County? Most estates have more options than families expect, including fees paid from the estate and a home that can cover its own probate.
Aug 14, 2026
Read More →Who Pays Probate Attorney Fees in a Harris County Estate?
Probate attorney fees are usually an expense of the estate, not a personal bill. Here is who pays, when the fees come out, and how a home can cover them from the sale.
Aug 14, 2026
Read More →Someone Died Without a Will in Harris County — Here's What Happens Next
No will? Harris County families face intestate probate. Learn the steps, courts, timelines, and options: explained by Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins.
Aug 13, 2026
Read More →Cleaning Out a House Before Probate in Harris County: What Texas Law Allows
Wondering if you can clean out a house before probate in Harris County? Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains what families can and cannot do legally.
Aug 12, 2026
Read More →Can an Executor Sell a House Without Beneficiary Approval? A Harris County Guide
Learn when a Harris County executor can sell estate property without beneficiary consent, what Texas law requires, and how Houston families can protect their rights.
Aug 11, 2026
Read More →Filing Probate Without a Lawyer in Harris County: What Texas Law Actually Allows
Learn when Harris County families can file probate without a lawyer: and when Texas law requires one. Kyle Robbins explains your options in plain English.
Aug 11, 2026
Read More →Flat Fee Probate Lawyer in Houston: What You'll Actually Pay in Harris County
Learn what flat fee probate lawyers charge in Houston. See exact pricing for Harris County probate procedures: from $4,900 for muniment of title to $13,800+ for independent administration.
Aug 10, 2026
Read More →House Appraisal for Probate in Harris County: What Houston Families Need to Know
Learn when a home appraisal is required for Harris County probate, how date-of-death valuations work, and how Houston families can protect estate value during the process.
Aug 10, 2026
Read More →Selling Inherited Property During Probate in Houston: A Harris County Guide
Learn how to sell inherited property during probate in Houston. Harris County families: court approval, appraisals, cash offers & attorney fee options explained.
Aug 10, 2026
Read More →Probate Cost in Harris County: Court Fees, Attorney Fees, and What to Expect in Houston
Learn what probate really costs in Harris County: from the $360 court filing fee to attorney fees, bond premiums, and publication costs. Houston probate attorney Kyle Robbins explains.
Jul 23, 2026
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