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"Ryan & Keith genuinely care about their clients."
Ryan McCreay genuinely cares about his clients. He patiently outlined the timeline in obtaining this overage, along with ...
- Gerard P. -
"Ryan and team were very professional and empathetic regarding probating my sister's estate."
They were caring and kind all the way through the process. I highly recommend them to anyone entitled to claim leftover funds from foreclosure or who need to probate an estate for a loved one. Here is a picture of myself and my lovely sister, Karen!
- Shirley H. -
"After my Mom passed away and her house was foreclosed on, Ryan of Conscious Dealz helped me get the excess funds from the foreclosure."
He told me the amount I would receive at the beginning of the process. He also told me that I would never have to step inside of a court room, which I didn't want to due to the complex challenges of probate court. Ryan and his team worked very hard for me.
- AJ J. -
"Keith and his team were fantastic."
Keith and his team were fantastic. We had heard horror stories of the probate process but our experience was fast and ...
- Thomas M. -
"Thank you, Keith, I truly appreciate you."
He researched my problem, consulted another expert just for a second opinion, and responded to me with the answers I needed. He is a SUPER PERSON.
- Kathie -
"He was responsive and found the right resources for us."
He helped my family navigate a unique probate and trust process right at the end of the year.
- Previous Client -
"He is aggressive in court room while remaining respectful and compassionate to other lawyers and his clients."
Keith is one of the finest and technically proficient lawyers I have ever met.
- Jennifer -
"Whenever I had a question or concern, all I had to do was call or email Keith."
Keith is very professional and was able to settle my family dispute.
- Susan
Johnson County Probate Attorney
Probate is the legal process that takes place when a loved one passes away and leaves behind their estate. In Texas, it’s important to initiate this process in the right county. Probates should be carried out in the county in which the deceased person used to reside.
At Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law, our Johnson County probate lawyer will be happy to assist you and your family in commencing the probate process for any decedent that used to reside in Johnson County. However, our assistance doesn’t stop there. Our legal professionals proudly provide probate guidance to families all over the North and East Texas regions.
For more information regarding the Texas probate process and how it works in your area, contact Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law today: (713) 636-5339.
How Does Probate Work in Texas?
Each state has its own way of carrying out probate. In Texas, the process is normal. However, one common error occurs within the first step of probate. Texas holds 18 different probate courts that are located within 10 different counties across the state. As the estate executor or administrator, if you try to file the estate documents at a court that’s not within your jurisdiction, your case could be thrown out or deemed void. This is where a probate lawyer can greatly assist all beneficiaries involved to make sure that the probate is initiated in the proper court.
Notifying Creditors
In Texas, before any beneficiaries can receive assets or property, all of the decedent’s debts must be paid off. This responsibility falls on the executor. Once the executor is done taking inventory of all assets, they should alert all creditors of the deceased party’s death. Since a death certificate usually isn’t available, creditors will accept a death notice from the local news as sufficient proof. In most cases, the debt is then paid off with the remaining assets held by the deceased party. Once all debts are cleared, the property and assets can be cleared for transfer to the beneficiaries.
Inheriting Assets
Assuming there are no will disputes and all debts have been paid, the time will come for beneficiaries to receive their owed property and assets. The good news? In Texas, state inheritance tax doesn’t exist. This means that no matter the amount of property or assets received, a beneficiary cannot be taxed on these items from the state. However, federal inheritance tax still exists. While federal taxes vary depending on the amount, in some situations beneficiaries could have to pay as high as a 40% tax rate on their inheritance. For a complete breakdown of federal inheritance tax rates, click here.
Seeking Legal Assistance
The probate process can be rather daunting, especially when trying to cope with the loss of a loved one. That’s why Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law is here to help. Our Johnson County probate attorney can help any estate executor, administrator, or beneficiary. Whether or not it’s your first time dealing with probate, it’s critical to make sure all the boxes are checked in an orderly fashion.
For more information regarding how we can assist you and your family, contact Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly, Attorneys at Law today!
Success that Speaks for Itself
Case Results
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Hearing Won Evidentiary Hearing
Won lengthy evidentiary hearing to prove client was not in contempt of court to avoid sanction or jail time.
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Dispute Resolved Estate Administration Case
Successfully resolved case between two siblings fighting over cash and personal property of their father.
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Settlement Reached Multi-Million Dollar International Estate
Successfully negotiated settlement between surviving spouse and foreign advisers in multi-million dollar international estate.
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Dispute Resolved Estate Administration & Division of Assets
Resolved highly contentious ongoing dispute over father’s estate and division of assets between son and daughter.
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Won Summary Judgment Multi-Million Dollar Trust Dispute
Won summary judgment for prominent South Texas family in multi-million-dollar trust dispute over real property.
Why Choose Attorneys Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly?
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Extensive Experience
With over 40+ years of combined legal experience, Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly devoted their efforts to sharpening their skills in probate, trust, and estate planning and litigation.
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Aggressive Litigators
Keith Morris & Stacy Kelly are proud to be the litigators that takes on the most complicated and difficult cases to court and getting their clients optimal results.
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Free ConsultationsYour first free case evaluation with us can be done through video conference, phone call, or an in-person meeting.
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Personalized Attention
If you call our firm, we will personally pick up the phone and handle your case with the attention it deserves.
Contact the firm today to discuss your case during a free consultation and explore your options.