Texas Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Lawyer
McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law
Why a Texas Probate Lawyer Matters
Probate and fiduciary litigation move through the county court system, and Johnson County's probate court has its own procedures, filing requirements, and tendencies that an out-of-town firm simply won't know as well.
We know the Johnson County probate court.
Filing deadlines, hearing schedules, and how the court tends to handle contested matters all shape strategy from the outset.
We understand fiduciary duties under Texas law.
Executors, administrators, and trustees all owe specific legal duties to beneficiaries — and we know exactly what a breach of those duties looks like.
We're available when families need answers fast.
Estate disputes often involve urgent questions — is an asset being sold, is money being spent improperly — and you need a lawyer who can respond quickly, not one three counties away.
We understand the region.
Family dynamics, property types, and the kinds of estates common in Cleburne and the surrounding counties differ from those in a big city — and the right legal strategy reflects that.
Probate & Fiduciary Matters We Handle Across Texas
Will Contests
When a will's validity is in question — due to undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, improper execution, or fraud — Texas law allows interested parties to formally contest it in probate court. These cases require moving quickly and gathering evidence before it disappears.
Executor & Administrator Disputes
An executor or administrator has a legal duty to manage the estate honestly, transparently, and in the best interest of the beneficiaries. When they fail to do so — refusing to provide accounting, delaying distributions without cause, or self-dealing — beneficiaries have legal remedies.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Executors, trustees, agents under a power of attorney, and other fiduciaries owe strict duties of loyalty and care. When those duties are breached — whether through mismanagement, self-dealing, or outright theft from an estate or trust — we pursue accountability and recovery on behalf of beneficiaries.
Trust Disputes
Disagreements over trust administration, trustee conduct, or the interpretation of trust terms often require formal litigation to resolve, particularly when informal requests for information or accounting go unanswered.
Guardianship Disputes
When there is disagreement over who should serve as guardian for an incapacitated adult, or concern that a guardian is not acting in the ward's best interest, these matters require careful, often urgent legal action.
Estate Administration
Not every probate matter is contested. We also guide executors and families through standard, uncontested probate administration — inventorying assets, paying valid debts, and distributing property according to the will or Texas intestacy law.
What's at Stake When Probate Disputes Go Unaddressed
Families often hesitate to challenge a will or an executor's conduct, worried about the cost or the family conflict it might create. But without action:
- Assets can be sold, spent, or transferred before a challenge is filed
- Statutory deadlines to contest a will can expire permanently
- An executor acting in bad faith can continue mismanaging the estate unchecked
- Rightful beneficiaries can be permanently shortchanged in a distribution
- Evidence of undue influence or fraud can become harder to establish over time
A probate or fiduciary dispute doesn't resolve itself by waiting. The earlier it's addressed, the more options remain available.
How Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Typically Unfolds
Initial review
We evaluate the will, the estate's assets, and the fiduciary's conduct to determine whether grounds for a contest or claim exist.
Filing with the probate court
Formal pleadings are filed in Johnson County (or the relevant county) probate court, laying out the basis for the contest or claim.
Discovery
Financial records, communications, and estate documents are gathered to build the case.
Negotiation
Many disputes resolve through negotiated settlements between beneficiaries and fiduciaries before trial.
Hearing or trial
When a resolution can't be reached, the matter proceeds to a contested hearing or trial before the probate court.
Resolution & distribution
Once resolved, the estate or trust is administered according to the court's ruling or the negotiated agreement.
Serving Texas & the Surrounding Counties
While we are based in Texas, we regularly handle probate and fiduciary matters throughout the wider region:
Johnson County
Cleburne — our home county and probate court
Hood County
Granbury-area probate matters
Somervell County
Glen Rose-area estate disputes
Hill County
Hillsboro-area estate and fiduciary matters
Erath County
Stephenville-area estate litigation
Tarrant County
Fort Worth-area probate and estate matters
Bosque County
Meridian-area probate administration
Parker County
Weatherford-area probate court
Probate procedures, filing requirements, and even court scheduling can differ from one county to the next. A firm already familiar with these differences means faster action when timing matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Texas Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Lawyer Today
Whether you need to contest a will, hold an executor accountable, or simply move an estate through probate the right way, the timing of your next step matters. Texas probate deadlines don't wait, and neither should you.
Contact McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law today to discuss your case and your options.