Our goal is to take on the burden of legal complexities and allow our clients to focus on what’s important during this time: family.
We offer a wide range of services to aid families in the probate process when it is necessary to probate an estate in court.
Peabody Law Firm is dedicated to maintaining and administering the wishes of a person who has passed to ensure that their families or loved ones have any needs or concerns resolved in a timely manner.
The process of probate begins as the court legally recognizes a person’s death, along with determining the distribution of assets and payment of debts of the decedent.
If the decedent has a Will in place, the estate will need to be probated in court. The court will validate the Will and designate the administrators of the Will.
Courts will authenticate the asset transfer from one generation to the next. This process is often lengthy, taking upwards of 9 months or more.
Probate is often a burdensome process for the family, but it can be avoided!
Having a robust Estate Plan in place can eliminate the need for probate. Discuss your options with an estate planning attorney in Southlake today.
Probate is an essential legal process, and at Peabody Law Firm, we aim to demystify it for our clients. The term “Probate” comes from Latin, meaning “proving up.” It involves a court of competent jurisdiction assessing whether all legal requirements were met to ascertain a deceased person’s beneficiaries or if the court must identify the deceased person’s heirs.
In probate, the term “Decedent” refers simply to a person who has passed away. Understanding these terms is the first step in navigating the probate process.
For estates valued at less than $75,000 (excluding homestead property), the probate process might be bypassed through a Small Estate Affidavit. This process, which Peabody Law Firm can facilitate, simplifies the legal proceedings for smaller estates.
When an estate exceeds $75,000 in value (excluding homestead property), more comprehensive legal proceedings are required to transfer the Decedent’s assets. These processes can vary, depending on factors such as the existence of a valid Last Will & Testament and the nature of the estate’s assets.
Navigating through probate proceedings can be complex and challenging. At Peabody Law Firm, we strive to make this process as stress-free as possible for our clients. Our experienced team provides personalized guidance and support, ensuring that you understand every step of the probate process.
We understand that each probate case is unique. That’s why we offer a free Probate Consultation to answer your specific questions and provide tailored advice for your situation.
At Peabody Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate legal assistance in probate matters. Contact us to navigate the intricacies of probate law efficiently and with confidence.
Probate disputes can be difficult to assess upfront because the real issues often sit beneath the surface—family dynamics, incomplete information, disputed documents, and unclear expectations about what is “fair.” When conflict arises, our focus is to quickly identify the facts that matter, clarify the legal landscape, and establish a practical strategy that protects the estate and moves the matter toward resolution.
In many probate litigation matters, cases resolve before reaching trial. That is why we take a resolution-first approach: we lead with negotiation strategies, targeted fact development, and structured settlement positioning whenever possible—while remaining fully prepared to escalate when a court proceeding becomes necessary.
It is also important to set clear expectations early. Probate litigation can be expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining, and extended court involvement can reduce net outcomes through legal fees and ongoing costs. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions early—so you understand the likely path, the cost considerations, and whether the matter is worth pursuing.
We prioritize negotiation and settlement pathways designed to avoid court where feasible, while protecting your leverage and your legal position.
We discuss the realistic cost and timeline implications early so you can evaluate options with clarity and avoid surprises.
If you’re facing a probate dispute—whether it involves beneficiaries, an executor, or the validity of estate documents—schedule a consultation so we can assess the situation and recommend the most practical path forward.
Often, yes. Many disputes can be resolved through negotiated settlement, mediation, or structured agreements—depending on the facts and the parties involved.
Because key details are frequently unclear at the beginning—asset information, document validity, decision-maker authority, and the true source of the dispute.
When negotiation fails, when legal rights must be enforced, or when court involvement is required to resolve challenges involving the will, executor conduct, or contested distributions.
