Longview firm serving Gregg County and the surrounding East Texas counties in probate and estate administration, Medicaid applications and estate recovery, guardianships, and special needs planning. Kristen J. Ishihara is board certified in estate planning and probate law; associate Christopher A. Parker is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
Probate in Smith County
Probate Court Record
Smith County Court at Law No. 3
Smith County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
200 East Ferguson Street, Suite 300, Tyler, TX 75702
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Attorney of record required
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Smith County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Smith County? →Settling an estate in Smith County →
Medicaid Planning Firms Serving Smith County
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Texas
Free Texas forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Texas.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Texas allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2Health & Safety Code § 166.164Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
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Free
Financial Power of Attorney
Texas requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityTex. Est. Code § 751.0021Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notaryTex. Est. Code § 751.0021Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Texas
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Texas: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Texas.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Texas runs $4,130Estimate: 10 hours at $413, Clio's Texas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,195Estimate: 15 hours at $413, Clio's Texas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Texas runs $4,130Estimate: 10 hours at $413, Clio's Texas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,195Estimate: 15 hours at $413, Clio's Texas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,161Estimate: 3 hours at $387, Clio's Texas Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,322Estimate: 6 hours at $387, Clio's Texas Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
Calculate Costs
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Texas, four years at a public university cost about $76,292NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; no state estate or inheritance tax appliesNo state estate or inheritance tax; Tex. Const. Art. VIII, § 26 (added Nov. 4, 2025 — HJR 2, 89th Leg., R.S., approved as Prop. 8) constitutionally prohibits any state estate, inheritance, or death tax. Former inheritance tax (Tex. Tax Code Ch. 211) repealed by SB 752 (84th Leg., R.S. 2015), effective Sept. 1, 2015; pick-up tax inoperative since EGTRRA 2001.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Amount
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Texas: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysTex. Estates Code §§ 309.001, 309.051, 309.056, 309.101Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsTex. Estates Code §§ 308.051-308.056, 355.001-355.004, 355.060, 355.064, 355.102Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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