The River Oaks Office of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC provides comprehensive estate and asset management support for families navigating probate in River Oaks, Upper Kirby, West University, Montrose, and the surrounding Central Houston communities. When a loved one passes away, the executor or administrator becomes legally responsible for managing estate property, collecting financial records, addressing debts, and ensuring the estate proceeds through probate in compliance with Texas law.
These responsibilities can feel daunting—especially when combined with grief and family dynamics. Our River Oaks probate attorneys guide executors step-by-step through every required duty, providing the structure, tools, and legal expertise needed to manage estate assets efficiently, accurately, and lawfully.
What Estate Management Means in Texas Probate
Once a probate court appoints an executor or administrator, several legal duties begin immediately. These include:
- Identifying all estate assets
- Securing real and personal property
- Locating deeds, account records, and insurance policies
- Preparing the Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims
- Notifying creditors and handling valid claims
- Managing estate finances, taxes, and ongoing expenses
- Keeping detailed accounting records
- Distributing property to beneficiaries
- Filing final court documents and closing the estate
Our River Oaks Office provides legal support to ensure every step is completed correctly, preventing delays and liability risks.
Estate & Asset Management Tools Available Through Our River Oaks Office
Executor Checklists & Probate Timelines
Probate involves numerous steps and deadlines. To help executors stay organized, our office provides detailed, customized checklists that cover:
- Filing deadlines for probate documents
- Required notices to creditors and beneficiaries
- Inventory and appraisal deadlines
- Accounting and tax responsibilities
- Distribution procedures and final filings
These checklists ensure nothing is missed and probate stays on schedule.
Asset Location Assistance
One of the most challenging parts of probate is identifying all estate assets. Our River Oaks team assists with locating:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Retirement plans, pensions, and annuities
- Real estate and deed records
- Mineral and royalty interests
- Life insurance policies and beneficiaries
- Business ownership documents
- Vehicles and titled property
- Safe deposit boxes and valuables
- Digital assets such as online accounts, crypto, and digital files
Thorough asset identification is essential for preparing a complete and accurate inventory.
Inventory & Appraisement Filing
Texas law requires executors to file the Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims within 90 days unless an extension is granted.
Our River Oaks Office assists with:
- Categorizing estate property (real, personal, financial)
- Determining fair market value
- Coordinating appraisals for real estate, jewelry, vehicles, and other valuables
- Listing debts, liabilities, and creditor claims
- Preparing the inventory accurately and submitting it to the court
- Responding to any court questions or revision requests
A correct inventory protects the executor and ensures the estate continues through probate smoothly.
Creditor Notification & Claim Handling
Executors are legally required to notify creditors and determine whether filed claims are valid.
We assist with:
- Drafting written notices to known creditors
- Publishing required legal notices in approved Harris County newspapers
- Evaluating creditor claims for accuracy
- Rejecting fraudulent or unsupported claims
- Paying valid debts in the correct legal order
- Maintaining documentation for court review
Proper creditor handling reduces risk and ensures compliance with the Texas Estates Code.
Estate Accounting & Recordkeeping Tools
Executors must maintain transparent, detailed financial records for all estate transactions.
Our River Oaks Office provides:
- Accounting templates and spreadsheets
- Logs for estate income and expenses
- Distribution tracking sheets for beneficiaries
- Tools for annual and final court accountings
- Guidance on managing estate bank accounts
Accurate accounting prevents disputes and simplifies final estate closing.
Property Protection & Transfer Assistance
Estate property must be secured and protected as soon as possible after someone passes away.
We help executors:
- Secure homes, rental properties, and valuables
- Change locks and limit access
- Maintain utilities and insurance
- Coordinate inspections and appraisals
- Prepare property transfer documents and deeds
- Transfer vehicle titles through the Texas DMV
- Manage personal property distribution fairly and legally
Proper property management preserves estate value and prevents conflicts.
