FIXED FEE | Probate with a Will

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In order to be considered for a fixed fee when probating a will, the following conditions must be met:

1. The Decedent must have been a resident of Galveston County (Tx), Harris County (TX), Brazoria County (Tx)or Chambers County (Tx);
2. The  Decedent must have died within the last four years;
3. The matter must remain completely  uncontested;
4. The  executor must have the original will (not a copy);
5. The Will must appoint an “Independent Executor” or provide for “Independent      Administration” or the probate must be a muniment of title proceeding; and
6. The Will must be "self-proved."**

       **  Click  here for a full discussion of this requirement (Texas Estates Code      Section 251).

The Christiansen Law Firm provides you a complete picture of what you can expect to pay for your probate case. Simply "click" on the county and price for a listing of all expected out-of-pocket costs in your county. If you are comparing fees from other firms, we encourage you to ask whether the quoted price includes filings fees and other out-of-pocket costs.

Probate of Will as a Muniment of Title for a Self-Proved Will

In this type of proceeding, the court admits the will to probate to give the will the legal effect of transferring title to property. Because no formal ongoing administration is required, the probate of a will as a muniment of title is easier and cheaper than a probate that includes administration.

• Galveston County $2,000 + Court Costs
• Harris County $2,000 + Court Costs
• Chambers County $2000 + Court Costs
• Brazoria County $2,000 + Court Costs

Learn more about this type of probate.

Independent Administration for a Self-Proved Will

In this type of proceeding, the Court admits the will to probate so as to give the will the legal effect of transferring title to property. The Court also appoints an executor to administer the estate. This is our most common type of probate.

• Galveston County $2,500 + Court Costs
• Harris County $2,500 + Court Costs
• Chambers County $2500 + Court Costs
• Brazoria County $2,500 + Court Costs

Learn more about this type of probate.

Court-Created Independent Administration with Will Annexed for a Self-Proved Will

If no executor is named in the will or an executor is named in a decedent’s will, but the will does not provide for independent administration, all of the distributees of the decedent’s will may agree on the advisability of having an independent administration and agree on the person to serve as independent administrator. In this type of proceeding, the court admits the Will to probate to give the will the legal effect of transferring title to property. The court also appoints an administrator to administer the estate pursuant to the agreement of the distributees named in the decedent’s will.

• Galveston County $3,000 + Court Costs
• Harris County $3,000 + Court Costs
• Chambers County $3000 + Court Costs
• Brazoria County $3,000 + Court Costs

Learn more about this type of probate.

There is no way to estimate how long or how difficult a Dependent Administration will be. Therefore, the only fair way to bill for this type of administration is to bill on an hourly basis. No fixed fees are available. Effective January 1, 2025, The Christiansen Law Firm’s hourly rate for attorney's fees is $350 per hour. The Christiansen Law Firm’s hourly rate for paralegal work is $100 per hour.