Since 2005, the Duran Firm has provided direction to over 1,000 clients regarding their probate, guardianship or estate planning matters.  Over the course of those matters, we have seen just about everything.  Let us apply our experience to your case.

Fixed-Fee Probate

A Dallas probate attorney with experience and reasonable rates, Michael A. Duran has extensive experience in the areas of the probate of wills and copies of wills, probate without a will, and the administration of decedents' estates.  We have helped over 1,000 clients draft their wills or obtain "Letters Testamentary", Letters of Administration and Letters of Guardianship.

At the Duran Firm, we believe that if a decedent incurred the expense of having an attorney professionally prepare his or her Last Will and Testament, then the probate of his or her estate should be relatively inexpensive. That is why the Duran Firm offers fixed-fee probate in uncontested cases where the Will and estate meet certain requirements. The overwhelming majority of our probate cases are for a fixed fee, particularly in cases where the Will was drafted by a probate attorney.  Even if the were was not drafted by a probate attorney, over the years we have handled many different issues with "form" wills.  So even if the will in your case is not perfect, chances are we can help correct the problem to make the probate quick and easy.

If the decedent did not leave a will, all is not lost. If all of the natural heirs of the estate are in agreement as to the administration and division of the decedent's estate, the Duran Firm can still assist those heirs for a fixed fee if the case meets certain requirements.

Contested Probate

Many times, sharing an inheritance can be just as bitter as a divorce. The decedent may not have left a will designating an executor to administer the estate. Even worse, the person designated to serve as the executor may be an extremely poor choice for such an important job.  In this situation, you need a Dallas probate attorney that can assist you in contesting the appointment of an unqualified person to serve as the executor of the estate.  The Duran Firm can also assists clients in holding a previously appointed executor to his or her fiduciary duties, and if necessary, can assist in having the executor removed by the Court.

Did the Decedent leave a will?

Wills

The Duran Firm can also assist you with the preparation of your Last Will and Testament as well as any ancillary estate planning documents such as a power of attorney or living will. You've worked hard to achieve all that you have. Let us help you make a plan that both preserves your estate for the people you care about while minimizing the burden on your family.

Guardianship

The Duran Firm also has experience in guardianship administration and can help you to obtain a guardianship over your incapacitated adult loved one (due to dementia or intellectual disability). For parents of sons and daughters with special needs who are approaching adulthood, the Duran Firm offers Guardianships for a fixed-fee.

Practice Area

Though Michael Duran is a Dallas probate attorney, we actually practice probate in the following counties in the Dallas / Fort Worth / North Texas area:

 

 Site Map

Probate of a Will Probate of Will as a Muniment of Title Only (No Administration). Independent Administration (Unsupervised Administration). Court-Created Independent Administration (Unsupervised Administration). Dependent Administration (Court-Supervised Administration) Estimated Costs (Fixed fee available in some cases) QUICK START: Worksheet for Probate of a Will	Probate without a Will Affidavit of Heirship (No Administration). Small Estate Affidavit (No Administration with Court Approval). Determination of Heirship (No Administration with Court Judgment Declaring Heirship). Court Created Independent Administration (Unsupervised Administration). Dependent Administration (Court-Supervised Administration). Estimated Costs (Fixed fee available in some cases) QUICK START: Worksheet for Probate without a Will	Probate Client's Page Locating the Will Offering the Will for Probate Qualify as Executor and Obtain Letters Testamentary  Administer the Estate
Guardianships for Special Needs How to file an Application for Guardianship Court Actions upon receiving an Application for Guardianship Estimated Costs (Fixed fee available in some cases) QUICK START Step #1: Physician's Certificate of Medical Examination QUICK START Step #2: Worksheet for Guardianship	Guardianships for Seniors How to file an Application for Guardianship Court Actions upon receiving an Application for Guardianship Estimated Costs   QUICK START Step #1: Physician's Certificate of Medical Examination QUICK START Step #2: Worksheet for Guardianship
Wills, Living Wills, and Power of Attorney What happens if you die without a Will Advantages of Having a Will Four Quick Steps to Planning Your Estate  Advance Directive Statutory Durable Power of Attorney Medical Power of Attorney QUICK START: Worksheet for Estate Planning for One Person QUICK START: Worksheet for Estate Planning for a Married Couple	Probate Court Information Collin County Probate Court Dallas County Probate Courts Denton County Probate Court Tarrant County Probate Courts Preparing for the Hearing Filing Fees Requirement for Attorney	Contact Info