Administering an Estate
Without a Will

The goal of probate is to liquidate the estate and distribute the assets. Before an estate can be liquidated, the following things must happen:
 

• The deceased's assets must be identified and valued.

• The estate's creditors must be determined, notified and paid through the probate claims process.

• The heirs must be identified.

• The taxes must be paid.
   

When no will exists, the probate process is more complex. Before any of these steps can be taken, the court must first appoint an administrator and a surety bond must be posted. The court must also determine the deceased's heirs.

As a former senior attorney for the FDIC, ASA former bankruptcy trustee attorney, and as a probate attorney, Ms. Cruz has many years of experience liquidating assets.

Located in San Antonio, our law office helps administrators complete the probate process. We also represent heirs and potential heirs during estate administration disputes.
 

Determination of Heirship
 

One of the most complex parts of administering an estate without a will is determining who inherits the deceased's property. When individuals pass away without a will, Texas intestacy laws control the distribution of estate assets.