Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Texas

After a death in Texas, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $75,000 or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 months to file claims after notice.

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36 tools for Texas

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Texas costs an estimated $27,634. Attorney fees run 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Texas pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Texas is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Texas, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representation, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hours to inherit.

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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

In Texas, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent) unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Texas levies no estate or inheritance tax; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,000.

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How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Texas, certified death certificates come from the Texas Department of State Health Services - Vital Statistics Section; the first copy costs $20, additional copies $3 each.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Texas, estates valued at $75,000 or less use the Small Estate Affidavit, 30 days after death, a court filing short of full probate.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Texas runs $4,130 to $6,195 and a simple will $1,161 to $2,322, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Texas runs $4,130 to $6,195 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in Texas runs $1,161 to $2,322, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,634.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In Texas, four years at a public university cost about $76,292 and the cost of living is near the U.S. average; no state estate or inheritance tax applies.

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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Texas imposes no inheritance or estate tax; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Texas take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death, and the gain on a later sale faces no state capital gains tax.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

Texas automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Texas costs an estimated $27,634 and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate. Estates under $75,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?

Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

In Texas, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Texas allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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Texas allows estates valued at $75,000 or less to use the Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate administration. In Texas the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue. The waiting period is 30 days after death.

Probate costs in Texas typically include attorney fees of typically 2.2% to 3.5% of the estate, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $27,634, roughly 6% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the Texas executor fee calculator.

Texas intestacy law decides. As a community property state, Texas distinguishes community property (acquired during the marriage) from separate property (owned before it, or received as a gift or inheritance), and the surviving spouse's share differs for each. The estate passes to the closest surviving relatives, in most cases the spouse and children first, then in order: Parents (and siblings when only one parent survives); Siblings and their descendants; Paternal and maternal kindred (two moieties).

No. Texas imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax applies, on an estate above $15,000,000, an exemption the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106) set permanently from 2026 and indexes for inflation.

A will in Texas costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in Texas charges around $387 an hour for wills and estates, which puts a simple will at $1,161 to $2,322. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds about $27,634 on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.