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200 E. Grayson St, Ste. 210
San Antonio, TX 78215 -
(210) 202-1141
Mon-Fri 09:00am-5:00pm - amanda@skeenlawfirm.com
Lost a loved one and need to settle their estate? Amanda Skeen guides executors and families through Bexar County probate, from the first filing to the final distribution.
Every estate is different. As a probate attorney in San Antonio, Amanda matches the right Texas probate process to your family’s situation.
We file the will, get your executor appointed, and guide them through every duty under Texas law.
No will? We use an administration or an affidavit of heirship to confirm the legal heirs and transfer property.
A faster, lower-cost Texas option that transfers property under a will when the estate has no unsecured debts.
No will and under $75,000, not counting the homestead? A small estate affidavit can avoid full probate.
We guide successor trustees through notices, inventory, and distribution, so the trust is settled correctly.
When a will is challenged, heirs disagree, or an executor isn’t doing their job, we protect your interests in court.
Texas probate has strict rules and deadlines. A probate lawyer in San Antonio keeps your family clear of these common problems.
Wait too long, and Texas courts generally won't appoint an executor.
Executors can be personally liable for mistakes with debts or distributions.
Texas generally requires an inventory within 90 days of qualifying.
Paying the wrong debts first can leave the estate short.
Banks won't release funds without the right court documents.
A home can't be sold or refinanced until title passes properly.
Disagreements between heirs delay everything and raise costs.
Property in another state may need a second probate case.
We handle the court work, so you can focus on your family.
We review the will, assets, and family situation, then recommend the right probate path.
We file the application in Bexar County probate court and attend the hearing with you.
We send notices, prepare the inventory, and handle creditor claims on time.
We transfer property to the heirs and close the estate properly.
Support from your first call to the final distribution.
Plain-English answers about your duties as executor or administrator.
We track filing, notice, and inventory deadlines for you.
You work with Amanda, not a rotating case team.
When the estate is settled, we help you plan your own, so your family never goes through this.
Families comparing San Antonio probate lawyers choose Skeen Law for focused, personal service.
Estate planning and probate are all we do. We have guided more than 150 families through probate.
No hand-offs. Amanda handles your case from first call to final distribution.
Member of the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Once the estate is settled, we help heirs plan their own estates.
After probate, protect the next generation with a plan of your own.
Buy-sell agreements and ownership transfer plans for your company.
Regular reviews and trust upkeep so your plan never falls behind.
Schedule your free consultation today and let the san antonio probate lawyers at Skeen Law take the weight off your shoulders.
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and transferring assets to beneficiaries. Not every estate requires a full probate proceeding. Texas offers streamlined options — including muniment of title, small estate affidavit, and independent administration — that can significantly reduce cost and time. We’ll assess your situation and recommend the most efficient path.
A Texas independent administration — the most common and efficient form — typically takes six months to a year from start to finish, though complex estates or contested matters can take longer. The process begins with filing an application in the county where the deceased resided; Bexar County estates are handled in the Probate Court here in San Antonio.
Usually, yes. Texas probate courts generally require an executor to be represented by an attorney, and a lawyer helps you meet every deadline and avoid personal liability.
Dying intestate (without a will) means Texas’s intestacy statutes determine who inherits — and the result is often not what the family expected. For example, a surviving spouse does not automatically inherit everything if there are children from a prior relationship. The estate must still go through probate, and the court will appoint an administrator rather than an executor of your choosing.
An attorney can help ensure the estate is handled correctly, explain your legal responsibilities, and help avoid costly mistakes or unnecessary delays.
When someone dies without a will and the estate is worth $75,000 or less, not counting the homestead and exempt property, the heirs may be able to use a court-approved affidavit instead of full probate.
Probate is the legal court process used to settle certain estates. Estate administration is the broader process of managing, paying debts, and distributing a person’s assets after death.
No. As executor you are responsible for notifying creditors and paying valid debts from estate assets — but you are not personally liable for debts that exceed the estate’s value. There are important notice requirements and creditor claim deadlines under the Texas Estates Code that must be followed carefully to protect the estate and its beneficiaries.
