
Who Can Contest a Will?
If you need legal representation concerning a will, reach out to our Houston & Fort Worth lawyer at (713) 636-5339 in Houston and (817) 442-2048 in Fort Worth to set up a complimentary consultation about the matter.
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Who Can Contest a Will?
Legal Representation in Will Disputes in Houston & Fort Worth
When someone passes away, it can lead to a very difficult and emotional time for the decedent’s children, other relatives, and friends. Where a will has been made by the decedent, it will lay out how that person wanted his or her property, assets, and belongings to be distributed to heirs and beneficiaries. In some cases, a son, daughter, or other relative may feel shunned or left out by the will’s contents or may feel that the will was not written or executed properly. This can then lead to a contest over the will.
If you are someone who is involved in a potential or ongoing will contest in Fort Worth, Houston, or the surrounding areas, you will likely need legal guidance about the matter. At Keith Morris Attorney at Law, you can work with an attorney who has 20 years of experience handling wills and probate matters in Texas. Our firm provides high-performance legal counsel in negotiating on your behalf in will disputes or in litigating such issues in the courtroom. We will work closely with you in striving to help you achieve the favorable results you seek in any will contest.
Contesting a Will in Texas
A will that has been properly written and executed according to law is not a document that can easily be overturned. However, should it be shown in court that certain issues in its execution were questionable, the matter can be litigated in court. In general, you must have “standing” and grounds to contest a will. “Standing” refers to the idea that you have a financial interest in the terms of the will and its resulting estate.
Under Texas probate law, those who have standing to contest a will would be the parties mentioned in the will, such as:
- Spouses
- Children
- Stepchildren
- Other relatives
- Other beneficiaries
- Any party with a claim against the estate
These are termed heirs, spouses, devisees, creditors, and any other party with a property right or valid claim against the estate. For example, creditors who are owed money by the estate may also contest the terms of the will if those terms prevent them from being reimbursed for valid debts.
The grounds for contesting a will would consist of reasons why the will should be overturned with new terms replacing old ones. Common grounds for disputing a will can include fraud, undue influence (where the person wasn’t acting on their own free will or was acting without understanding what the consequences would be), a mistake in fact, improper execution of the will during its execution and signing (procedural errors), the fact that the decedent who wrote the will had a diminished capacity, such as from a cognitive disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s, or that mistakes in the accounting of the estate were made. Also, if a later will has been found that might have superseded the earlier one, it may also become the grounds for a dispute.
Keith Morris Attorney at Law – Here to Assist You in Any Contested Will Case
If you need legal representation in a will contest, whether as an heir, beneficiary, other interested party, or as the executor of the estate, we urge you to turn to our firm. With over two decades of experience in handling even the most extensive and complicated of probate matters, our firm understands all of the intricacies involved in handling these issues both inside and outside of the probate courtroom. You can count on us for dedicated legal service aimed at helping you achieve the positive outcome you seek.
Get your complimentary consultation with a Houston & Fort Worth lawyer concerning your will contest by calling (713) 636-5339 for Houston and (817) 442-2048 for Fort Worth today.

Success that Speaks for Itself
Case Results-
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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Multi-Million Dollar International Estate Settlement Reached
Successfully negotiated settlement between surviving spouse and foreign advisers in multi-million dollar international estate.
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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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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 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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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.


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.