Heirship Disputes
The loss of a loved-one is a heart-breaking experience and an emotional time for families. When a loved-one dies, all property in the name of the decedent at the time of his or her death becomes owned by his or her Estate. When a decedent dies intestate – meaning, without a Will – the state of Texas writes a Will for him or her by statute – the intestacy laws or heirship statutes. The surviving family members must take action to transfer title from the decedent’s estate to his or her heirs, notwithstanding strain of grief of the loss.
An Application for Determination of Heirship must be filed to obtain a Judgment Declaring Heirship, which functions as a title document to transfer title to property owned by decedent’s estate to the heirs in their declared percentages. Once the Application is filed the court is statutorily required to appoint an attorney ad litem for unknown heirs to investigate if anyone having an interest in the estate was excluded or forgotten. Proving up the Judgment Declaring Heirship requires a court hearing. Because an estate is involved, an “interested person” must hire a heirship attorney, and it is considered the unauthorized practice of law to fail to do so. Hiring an attorney with experience in heirship law is important because it can be very complicated, but, also, can ease the burden of the loss of a loved one. You must hire an attorney with probate knowledge and experience to guide you through the process to assure all interests are correctly ordered.
When Do you Need an Attorney?
If you are an heir of a decedent and have been omitted from the Application or excluded from the process, you are in an heirship dispute. You must act – by hiring competent counsel – to ensure your interest is recognized by the Court and the family. Without hiring an attorney who knows the intestacy statutes, you could lose valuable property rights. You must be proactive to protect them or they will be lost forever. If a Judgment Declaring Heirship has been signed in an estate you have an interest and you have been excluded, timelines are ticking against you and your interest and you must act fast to correct the mistaken Judgment Declaring Heirship.
The Dallas heirship lawyers at Spencer, Johnson & Harvell, PLLC, have decades of experience representing clients in even the most complex legal matters. If the decedent left no Will, heirship will be required at some point. In Texas, the interest of heirs in the property of decedent’s estate are defined by statute, but are ordered by a court of law. Do not hesitate to assert your interest in an heirship proceeding. We are well-suited and have the experience to make sure heirship and your interests are properly determined.
Dallas inheritance lawyer
The issue can be reduced to one simple fact — if someone dies without a will, the state of Texas will write one for him or her. Statutes determine the order of distribution through surviving spouses, to children and grandchildren. If individuals are unrelated to the deceased, however, it can be a challenge to prove heirship. There are several complex situations that can lead to an heirship dispute, including:
Common law spouses
Adoption by estoppel
Pretermitted child rights