Full Estate Administration
When an estate must pass through a Texas probate court, you manage the entire process — from the first filing to final distribution — guidance and explanations to help you work with your attorney.
The Complete Probate Process, Handled for You
Full estate administration is the most formal probate method, and it’s our core service. The court validates the will (if there is one) and appoints a personal representative — an executor when there’s a will, or an administrator when there isn’t — who is responsible for collecting the estate’s property, paying its debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the rightful heirs and beneficiaries.
It’s the right path when a simpler alternative won’t work: when the estate carries multiple debts, when the court must formally appoint someone to act, when assets need to be recovered, or when financial institutions require “letters testamentary” before they’ll release funds. We handle both testate estates (with a valid will) and intestate estates (where Texas law decides who inherits). Depending on the will and who’s serving, an administration can take one of several forms — see the full list of Texas probate cases we handle.
100%
Focused on Texas probate
Streamlined Costs
Focus your attorney on legal work to save
End-to-End
From first filing to final distribution
Independent vs. Dependent Administration
Texas recognizes two kinds of administration, with very different levels of court oversight. Part of our job is helping the estate take the lighter path whenever the law allows.
Independent Administration
The faster, less expensive route, with minimal court supervision. A court can order it when the will calls for it or when all heirs agree. Most of the estates we handle qualify.
Dependent Administration
Requires the representative to get court approval for most actions. The added oversight protects the estate when there’s disagreement or added complexity, at the cost of more time and expense.
Letters Testamentary
The court document that proves the representative’s authority to act. Banks and other institutions often require recent letters before they’ll transfer funds — we make sure they’re in hand.
What’s Included
We carry the administrative work that makes up the vast majority of a probate. When a court appearance is required, your independent Texas attorney handles the case as they normally would by reviewing the documents and attends the hearing.
- Preparing and filing the probate application
- Gathering wills, death certificates & supporting records
- Identifying and notifying heirs and beneficiaries
- Tracking court deadlines and required notices
- Coordinating the independent attorney & hearing
- Obtaining letters testamentary or of administration
- Inventory, appraisement & list of claims
- Notifying creditors and settling valid debts
- Estate accountings and final tax returns
- Final distribution and closing the estate
How Long It Takes — and What You Do
Timelines vary. A straightforward independent administration often moves through the court in a few months, while estates with disputes, missing heirs, or complex assets take longer. We give you a realistic timeline once we understand the estate, then keep every deadline tracked in our online portal.
You are the driver: you gather the key information and documents, use templates to prepare the court documents, follow the steps to get appointed and adminster the estate, and communicate with the parties. We provide the steps and detailed knowledge base explanations and help you communicate with your attorney when the hearing is necessary. So you control the work and when it is done.
Not Sure if You Need Full Probate?
There are probate alternatives. If your attorney recommends one of them, we can help with those too — from full administration or a simpler alternative.