Estate Litigation Lawyer Serving Mesquite

Mourning the loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult. When disputes arise with their estate, it only makes it more stressful.

If you have an estate-related dispute, the Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC estate litigation lawyers in Mesquite, TX, can help. Call us today at (214) 833-0100 to schedule a consultation.

Estate Litigation Cases We Handle

At Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC, we help clients with their estate planning and represent them in disputes over estates in which they have an interest. The team of attorneys at Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC is highly skilled in handling various estate cases, some of which are explained below.

Disputes Between Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries that are named in wills can have competing interests. For example, a beneficiary may believe that they have a right to certain assets or property that their deceased loved one didn’t grant to them in their will. Beneficiaries can seek legal recourse to resolve their disputes.

Rights of Creditors to Recoup Debts They Are Owed

When a testator (someone who creates a will) dies, their debts don’t just pass with them. A creditor may still have a right to recover their debts through the testator’s estate when they die.

After a will is probated, the executor of the estate starts distributing the deceased person’s assets and property. If the deceased person had debts that were still owed to creditors, those creditors can petition the court to force the estate to pay the creditors what they’re owed before distributions are made to the beneficiaries of the estate.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Representatives and executors of estates, or trustees who oversee trusts, are in charge of managing and carrying out the duties assigned in the deceased person’s will or trust. This is a large responsibility and a role that requires honesty. The responsibility and ethical obligation of the administrators, executors, and trustees are known as their “fiduciary duty”.

If a beneficiary or other interested party to the estate has concerns about the actions of the executor or trustee, they can take legal action to remove them from managing the estate. If the breach included mismanagement or misappropriation of money or property, you may also be able to seek to recover money that may be owed to the estate.

Contesting a Will

As a person with interests in a deceased person’s estate, you can contest the validity of the will by filing a lawsuit. You have to be eligible to contest a will and need to have legal grounds on which to bring their lawsuit. You can contest a will on the following grounds:

• Revocation – A testator can void a will by creating a new will or making changes to an existing will. This is known as a revocation. A beneficiary can contest the revocation of their interests in the testator’s estate.
• Undue Influence – A will is supposed to represent the wishes and interests of the testator. If a testator is coerced into making certain decisions regarding their will and the distribution of their estate, then the will or a specific detail contained in the will could be determined to be invalid. A beneficiary or interested party who suspects that a testator was the victim of undue influence can contest the validity of the will by filing a lawsuit.
• Fraud – Similar to undue influence, fraud can be an issue in the drafting or execution of a will if someone misrepresents information to the testator, and that information influences the decisions they make regarding their estate. If you believe this may have occurred, you can contest the will.
• Testamentary Capacity – A testator has to be mentally fit when they write their will. If they are mentally incapacitated and can’t make informed decisions regarding their estate, they lack the required testamentary capacity to validate the will. This issue could be contested in court.
• Illegitimate Execution – To create a valid will, the testator is required to write or print the will and sign it in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses also have to sign it. If any of these steps were not taken, then the validity of the will can be contested.

If you have a pressing question about an estate matter, reach out to us today.

Commonly Asked Questions

Estate planning isn’t something many people have experience with until they feel the time comes for them to consider what happens to their assets when they die. When estate issues arise, it’s common to have questions about what to do. When you hire an estate litigation attorney from Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC, we’ll answer any question you have and keep the communication lines open, so you know exactly what’s happening with your case.

Below, we’ve answered a few common questions that our clients have had.

Do I have to go to court to resolve my legal matter?

You may not have to go to court to resolve your legal matter.

In Texas, you may be able to go to mediation (a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution) to figure out a solution to your legal issue. Mediation is a more informal proceeding than a court hearing. A mediator, an impartial third party, facilitates discussions between you and the other parties. They aren’t decision-makers, but they help all parties communicate productively to negotiate an agreement on the outstanding legal issue.

If your issue can’t be resolved in mediation, you will likely need to go to court. Your case may need to be litigated in a trial, after which a judge or jury will decide on your legal matter.

How much time do I have to contest an estate issue?

If you have an estate dispute, you can file a lawsuit contesting it. But there is a time limit. The time frame within which you can take legal action is dictated by the statute of limitations. In Texas, the statute of limitations for contesting a will is two years from the date the will is validated by the probate court (a will has to be probated within four years of the death of the testator).

Contact the Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC Estate Litigation Lawyers

If you’re concerned about your rights to the estate of a deceased person, you need an experienced estate litigation lawyer to represent you in a legal action to resolve the issue.

The Mesquite, TX estate litigation lawyers from Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC have decades of experience handling estate disputes with the care they require and the legal skills needed to achieve the best outcome for our clients.

To discuss how we may be able to help you resolve your estate dispute, contact our estate litigation lawyers at (214) 833-0100 today. We have the experience you need.