Probate Attorney in Port Arthur, Texas
In Port Arthur, Texas, probate is a legal procedure that a court must go through before giving effect to a will. Before putting a will into effect, a court has to determine that it is valid.
As part of this procedure, the court in Port Arthur, Texas has several important responsibilities. Most importantly, it has to decide if the will is valid, and consider evidence that it is not (if any such evidence exists). The probate court then has to ensure that the property is distributed in an orderly manner, as close to the terms of the will (assuming it is valid) as possible.
Most wills name a specific person as the executor of the estate, but sometimes they don't, or the named executor is dead, out of the court's jurisdiction, or otherwise unfit to serve in this capacity. In these cases, a Port Arthur, Texas probate court has to appoint one.
The main duty of the executor is to serve as the living incarnation of the estate. Their job is to initiate probate proceedings, and see them to completion. If an executor has to be appointed by the court, it will usually be the person who stands to inherit the most from the will, as he or she has an incentive to make every effort to avoid delay.
Duties of the Executor in Port Arthur, Texas
The executor has several duties with respect to the will. First, it is his or her job to actually initiate probate proceedings, which often must be completed before the will is given effect.
Additionally, the executor has to make sure that the decedent's relatives and other people named in the will have notice of the testator's death, usually through the filing of a copy of the official death certificate.
Because people who stand to inherit from the testator may be scattered around the country, or even the world, contacting them is sometimes difficult. One of the responsibilities of the executor is to compile a list of everyone who is entitled to inherit from the decedent, so attempts to contact them can be made. They also have to account for all the testator's debts and assets.
Finally, executors have to actually put forth the effort to prove that a will is valid. As the sole legal representative of the estate, this is their job, and is required for them to inherit, giving them an incentive.
Find a Port Arthur Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
How Can A Port Arthur, Texas Lawyer Help?
Because of the complexities involved in probate, it would be a good idea to consult with and retain a Port Arthur, Texas attorney who specializes in probate, especially if you are the executor of an estate.
There are 11 Wills, Trusts and Estates cases posted in Port Arthur
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Probate Attorneys in the Largest TX Cities
Life in Port Arthur
Port Arthur is experiencing an economic revitalization with nearly $2 billion in projects involving energy infrastructure. Golden Pass and Sabine Pass LNG terminals are the largest and would bring in millions of dollars to Port Arthur each year. Port Arthur is one of Texas' leading seaports and was in the news recently when an oil tanker and barge collided. Port Arthur is connected to the rest of Texas intersecting with a number of US and state highways making it ideal for transportation and distribution. Being the center of so much business, Port Arthur has some of the best outlet and shopping in the area. The business boom has also attracted a number of lawyers to the area to help sort out any legal problem that may arise. Port Arthur lawyers know business law well but many also focus their practices in other areas like family, criminal, and immigration law.Port Arthur offers a number of worthwhile educational outlets like public libraries and schools. The Bob Hope Charter School and Lamar State College are both located in Port Arthur. Notables of Port Arthur include Janis Joplin, Jimmy Johnson, G.W. Bailey, and rap group UGK. Port Arthur has seen major damage from Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and tropical cyclones like Hurricane Rita, Humberto, Ike, and Tropical Storm Eduard. Luckily, Port Arthur residents have prepared successfully beforehand or recovered from the forceful damaging storms.
