Steps To Take When A Loved One Dies In Texas
The death of a loved one is a difficult time. Dealing with grief while trying to figure out the right steps to take when a loved one dies can be overwhelming. A Texas probate attorney will work hard to minimize the stress of this process on the loved ones of the deceased.
The steps to take when a loved one dies in Texas are different depending on each person’s life and circumstances. This list will give you a good idea of where to start.
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1. Make Funeral Arrangements.
In the first few days after a loved one passes away, the first major step is handling the funeral arrangements. As estate planning has become more common in recent years, it’s important to check for pre-paid funeral contracts that your loved one might have or instructions they may have left about the type of services they wanted.
When making arrangements, keep all receipts of the expenditures so that these may be recovered from the deceased’s estate when the probate process is completed.
2. Make Notifications
If your loved one worked, then you should contact their employer to let them know of the death and also to determine whether your loved one had any work-related death benefits. It’s also important to notify the Social Security Administration, as well as Veterans Affairs if the deceased ever served in the military.
If creditors contact you regarding your loved one’s accounts, let them know of the death. Do not agree to pay anything for your loved one or sign anything related to the accounts before speaking to an attorney.
3. Look For Life Insurance Policies
In some cases, a loved one will have told beneficiaries about a life insurance policy they would receive. This isn’t always the case, though. Look for any policies your loved one may have had and, if you are the beneficiary, contact the insurance company to request a claim form.
4. Look For A Will
There are many safe places where people keep their wills. If you aren’t able to find it in their home, try checking with the deceased’s banks to find out if they had a safe deposit box. While this is an important step, it’s not urgent to complete in the immediate aftermath of the loss of a loved one. Generally, the will must be submitted for probate within four years of a person’s death.
5. Contact A Probate Attorney
One of the best steps to take when a loved one dies is to contact a probate attorney after you’ve located the will or if you know your loved one didn’t have a will. An experienced attorney can help make the process of probating an estate as quick and painless as possible.
Get Help Going Through The Steps To Take When A Loved One Dies In Texas
Attorney Keith Morris offers experienced probate services in all Texas counties. He can guide you throughout the probate process and ensure that your loved one’s estate is handled in the manner they laid out in their will. Get in touch today for assistance.
Success that Speaks for Itself
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Evidentiary Hearing Hearing Won
Won lengthy evidentiary hearing to prove client was not in contempt of court to avoid sanction or jail time.
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Multi-Million Dollar Trust Dispute Won Summary Judgment
Won summary judgment for prominent South Texas family in multi-million-dollar trust dispute over real property.
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Estate Administration Case Dispute Resolved
Successfully resolved case between two siblings fighting over cash and personal property of their father.
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Multi-Million Dollar Estate Case Six-Figure Settlement Reached
Obtained six-figure settlement after jury was seated for adopted child in multi-million dollar estate case after adoption was disputed.
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Guardianship Case Case Won
Won trial to exclude wife to serve as guardian of gentleman she married that was at least twice her age.
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Estate Administration & Division of Assets Dispute Resolved
Resolved highly contentious ongoing dispute over father’s estate and division of assets between son and daughter.
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Probate Case Successful Verdict
Obtained verdict for daughter that reunited with her father after being estranged and offered will for probate but was contested by her sister.
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Multi-Million Dollar International Estate Settlement Reached
Successfully negotiated settlement between surviving spouse and foreign advisers in multi-million dollar international estate.
Why Choose Keith Morris, Attorney at Law?
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Personalized AttentionIf you call Keith Morris, he will personally pick up the phone and handle your case with the attention it deserves.
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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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Aggressive LitigatorKeith Morris is proud to be the litigator that takes on the most complicated and difficult cases to court and getting his clients optimal results.
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Extensive ExperienceWith over 20 years of legal experience, Keith Morris has devoted his efforts to sharpening his skills in probate, trust, and estate planning and litigation.
Contact the firm today to discuss your case during a free consultation and explore your options.