Customer Reviews

How to Probate an Estate in Texas: With Forms (Self-Help Law Kit With Forms)

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When my mother passed away in Texas I was named executor of her estate. Knowing nothing about probate, I was tempted to hire an attorney to handle it for me, but first went to Amazon.com and searched on "Texas probate". I ordered "How to Probate an Estate in Texas" by Karen Rolcik and read it from cover to cover. Based on what I read, I figured I could do it myself and save the estate thousands of dollars. One attorney I spoke to wanted $10,000!

Well, to make a long story short, I followed the directions in Ms Rolcik's book and the whole thing went off without a hitch! The instructions are written in easily understood language with all of the necessary forms ready to be filled out. Each form comes with complete instructions. There is an excellent checklist to make sure that you have done everything that needs to be done. I couldn't have been happier and the estate is completely settled.

I would recommend that anyone faced with such a task buy this book and do it themselves.

Purchasing this book saved me hundreds (if not thousnads) of dollars in attorney's fees. Ms. Rolcik has the ability to make a what could be a very difficult task much easier to understand and accomplish. I bought this book when my mother entered a nursing home but my daughter used it first probating a will of which she was executrix. I am saving it for my son who is my executor and plan on buying any updated editions.

Half of the book is readily-available boilerplate forms. One third of the remainder is verbatim Texas Probate Code. Of that which remains, only about one quarter applies to any given situation.

Bottom line: Don't plan to spend more than 15 minutes reading this book. Helpful advice, such as how best to conduct the inventory and value property, are nowhere to be found.

It's better than nothing if you want a high-level overview of the process, and sufficient if all you need to do is file the forms. Otherwise, look for something with more useful substance.

The Texas legislature changed several provisions of the Texas Probate Code in 2005.
This book needs some updates but is still helpful in general.

Texas no longer allows the family to probate a will without a lawyer. Was nice when they did, but legislators and other politicians are lawyers and want to make work for the people they know.