Houston, Texas – Houston probate attorney Whitney L. Thompson, founder of The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson (https://www.wthompsonlaw.com/top-5-things-i-need-to-do-after-a-loved-one-dies/), has released a comprehensive, step-by-step resource to help Texas families manage the legal and practical tasks that follow a death. The guidance outlines immediate priorities, document organization, the role of the personal representative, the estate administration timeline, and options under Texas probate procedures. Designed for clarity and accountability, the resource emphasizes careful sequencing of actions so that a loved one’s wishes and property are protected from the first days through final distribution.
The guidance begins by separating urgent actions from those that can wait, a distinction that prevents costly missteps during an emotionally difficult period. Houston probate attorney Whitney L. Thompson details how to obtain a legal pronouncement of death in varied circumstances, confirm or locate funeral instructions, and understand next-of-kin authority when written directions are absent. The outline then turns to record-keeping: ordering 10 to 20 certified copies of the death certificate, locating the original will and any trust documents, and assembling a master file covering financial accounts, real property records, identification, debts, and digital credentials. By centralizing this information early, families reduce delays when working with banks, insurers, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and probate courts.
A central section explains the legal authority to act. The resource distinguishes between an executor named in a will who receives Letters Testamentary and an administrator appointed in intestacy who receives Letters of Administration. Because the estate is a separate legal entity in Texas, representation by counsel is necessary for court proceedings and filings. Houston probate attorney Whitney L. Thompson highlights statutory checkpoints that safeguard both the estate and the personal representative, including publication to unknown creditors within 30 days of appointment, certified mail to secured creditors within two months, and a permissive notice that can shorten the window for unsecured claims to four months. Within 90 days, the Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims must account for probate property at date-of-death value and distinguish it from non-probate assets such as accounts with designated beneficiaries or jointly held property. The resource also addresses tax filings, including the final Form 1040 for the decedent, Form 1041 for estate income above $600, and the current federal estate tax exemption threshold of $13.61 million per individual for 2024.
The final portion guides readers through Texas pathways that can align cost and timeline with the estate’s size and circumstances. Options include independent administration with limited court oversight when authorized by will or unanimous beneficiary consent, dependent administration with full judicial supervision when disputes require it, probate as a muniment of title when no unpaid debts exist other than a mortgage, and the small estate affidavit for qualifying intestate estates valued at $75,000 or less, excluding the homestead and exempt property. The resource underscores practical closing steps such as obtaining beneficiary receipts, transferring titles, and filing a closing affidavit in independent administrations to document completion of duties and conclude liability.
About The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson:
The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson is a Texas-based firm serving clients in probate, estate administration, estate planning, guardianship, and elder law. Led by Houston probate attorney Whitney L. Thompson, the firm provides clear guidance across Harris County and surrounding communities. The team addresses wills and trusts, probate proceedings, creditor notices, and related family transitions with diligent case management. For consultations or additional information, contact (281) 214-0173 or visit the firm online to schedule a meeting.
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Website: https://www.wthompsonlaw.com/
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Company Name: The Law Office of Whitney L. Thompson, PLLC
Contact Person: Whitney L. Thompson
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Phone: (281) 214-0173
Address:4201 Farm to Market 1960 Rd W Suite 360, Box #116B
City: Houston
State: Texas 77068
Country: United States
Website: https://www.wthompsonlaw.com/