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Estate administration in Texas typically runs 4–6 months for simple estates and 12–24 months for complex ones. The minimum timeline is largely set by the creditor claim period (4 months), during which the executor can't safely distribute assets. Living trusts bypass this entirely because they don't go through probate. The Texas estate settlement checklist walks through the steps.
Texas allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation," typically 2%–4% of the estateTex. Est. Code § 352.002 (5% commission on cash receipts/disbursements under § 352.002(a); excludes funds on hand/in financial institutions at death, life insurance, and cash distributions to heirs per § 352.002(b); aggregate cap of 5% of gross FMV). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–4% (industry-typical); statutory rate is not applied directly because the cash-flow base is not collected here.Verified Jun 11, 2026. Executors can also waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. When the executor is a family member who is also a beneficiary, waiving the fee is common because beneficiary distributions aren't taxed as income while executor fees are. See the Texas executor fee calculator.
Estate planning attorneys in Texas average $387 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $1,161–$2,322 for a simple individual will and $4,130–$6,195 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
Texas allows estates under $75,000 to use a simplified small estate affidavit procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the Texas probate calculator to estimate the costs.
In Texas, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships (community property rules can produce surprising outcomes); ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 4,004 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
16 firms
Memorial-area Houston firm handling probate and estate administration in the Harris County Probate Courts, plus Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Galveston counties. Attorney John T. Elliott is board certified in estate planning and probate law and represents executors and heirs in dependent and independent administration, muniment of title, heirship, and contested estate disputes.
Location
952 Echo Lane, Suite 330Houston, TX 77024
Phone
(281) 990-1990
Service Area
4 counties
Houston-based firm founded in 1979 focusing on estate planning, estate administration, business transactions, and tax-exempt organizations. Founder Roger Q. Beck has been board certified since 1988 and named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for Trusts and Estates in Houston.
Location
5718 Westheimer, Suite 1750Houston, TX 77056
Phone
(713) 840-7710
Established
1979
Service Area
2 counties
San Antonio and Austin firm handling independent and dependent estate administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, trust administration, and guardianship in Bexar, Comal, and Kendall counties. Attorney Pamela Hailey-Petty manages probate estates and estate debt settlement with flat-fee planning packages, and accommodates remote document preparation and signing.
Location
17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway, Suite 130San Antonio, TX 78258
Phone
(210) 570-2458
Service Area
3 counties
El Paso practice devoted to probate and estate administration in the El Paso County Probate Court, where attorney Karen Colon has practiced Texas probate exclusively for over 15 years. Handles dependent and independent administration, heirship determinations, muniment of title, and guardianship, and prepares wills and powers of attorney for El Paso and Hudspeth county families.
Location
1531 E. Missouri AveEl Paso, TX 79902
Phone
(915) 444-5003
Service Area
2 counties
Partners certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization with more than 30 years of collective experience. Located in the Galleria area with free on-site parking.
Location
5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 925Houston, TX 77057
Phone
(713) 783-7444
Service Area
3 counties
Amarillo-based law firm providing estate planning, probate, and trust services across the Texas Panhandle. Attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Location
320 S. Polk, Suite 1000Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone
(806) 242-0152
Service Area
7 counties
Board-certified estate planning and probate firm near downtown San Antonio led by Brian Maverick. Provides counsel in all aspects of estate planning including wills, trust agreements, probate, estate administration, guardianship, and wealth transfer planning.
Location
6515 BroadwaySan Antonio, TX 78209
Phone
(210) 828-5151
Service Area
3 counties
Austin Texas estate planning attorney. Liz Nielsen is board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Location
8705 Shoal Creek Blvd, STE 105Austin, TX 78757
Phone
(512) 522-2890
Service Area
3 counties
Texarkana law firm handling estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, estate administration, elder law, and incapacity planning. Maintains a secondary office in Hot Springs, AR and serves clients on both sides of the state line.
Location
4142 McKnight RdTexarkana, TX 75503
Phone
(903) 701-2481
Service Area
4 counties
Large Houston firm, founded in 1981, whose Trusts, Probate, and Estate Planning group serves families and fiduciaries across Texas. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, and will and trust drafting, and represents executors and trustees in fiduciary matters. Draws on the firm's tax and energy attorneys for estates holding closely held companies or oil-and-gas interests.
Location
1000 Main Street, 36th FloorHouston, TX 77002
Phone
(713) 226-6000
Established
1981
Service Area
Statewide