Until you go through the probate process, you have no reason to know how the probate process works. At McCulloch & Miller, we are experts in probate so that you don’t have to be. One question our clients often ask is how long probate takes from beginning to end. The short answer: it depends. The longer answer is below.
Factors Affecting Possible Delays in Probate
Probate in Texas can take anywhere from three months to one year to complete. The amount of time depends on several factors. One such factor is the size of the estate; while not always true, it is common that larger estates take longer to go through probate. Another factor is the complexity of the estate: are there many different kinds of assets, or is the estate mostly made up of one account or one kind of account?
A third factor that can influence the length of probate is the potential for any disputes among beneficiaries. If beneficiaries fight about issues such as whether the descendent had legal capacity when writing the will, whether the will is legally valid, or how to interpret the will, the process could take longer. One way to avoid this kind of dispute is early and often communication with your loved ones. If you prepare your beneficiaries for what will happen when you die, making sure to help them understand how you came to your specific choices, they are less likely to have any disputes during the process.