Houston Will Contest Lawyer
A will contest lawyer from our Houston firm can help you challenge a will that has been improperly executed. Sometimes the way a will is drafted or other actions taken can give rise to a challenge to that will during the probate process. Other times, will challenges may arise among frustrated heirs no matter how carefully the will was drafted and handled. If you are the executor named in a will, a court-appointed personal representative, or an heir or beneficiary involved in a legal challenge to a will in Texas, contact Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm for help from an experienced Houston will contest lawyer.
Why are wills challenged in Texas probate courts?
According to section 55.001 of the Texas Estates Code, any person “interested in an estate” may challenge a will in a probate proceeding. Some of the common reasons that may lead to a will contest in Harris County probate court include:
- A poorly drafted will may include vague or ambiguous terms that require a legal determination of how they should be interpreted.
- Sometimes there is more than one will offered into probate, and it is unclear which one is the will the testator intended to be the last will and testament.
- A will may have been amended or revoked by the testator, but if done incorrectly, an amendment or revocation may not be effective or may simply lead to more questions, challenges and disputes.
- An heir may have been omitted from a will, and it is unclear whether the heir was intentionally or accidentally omitted, and what legal effect should be given to the omission.
Will contests also appear when the testator left behind a blended family, with children from a first marriage vying for the estate against a second spouse and/or children from a second marriage. Common bases for contesting the will include:
- The testator lacked the required mental capacity to make a will at the time
- The will was the product of fraud, duress or undue influence imposed on the testator by a family member, friend or caregiver.
How the Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm can help with will contests in Houston and Harris County
With over 20 years of experience in both estate planning and probate in Texas, attorney Leigh Meineke is well-versed in the requirements necessary for a valid will in Texas and how a will is challenged in probate. The Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm can represent your interests in any will contest or probate dispute by providing strong legal arguments backed by supporting evidence regarding the proper interpretation of the terms of a will, the validity or invalidity of a will presented for probate, and other issues which may arise.
Get Legal Help with Your Houston Will Contest by Contacting the Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm
For advice and representation in any will contest or probate dispute in Harris County, get in touch with the Leigh B. Meineke Law Firm in Houston at 832-706-0244. We’ll work to resolve your dispute in your best interests while protecting your legal rights at every step.
