Duran Firm | Worksheet for Probate of Will

Dear Prospective Client,

We are grateful you have contacted the Duran Firm regarding the probate of a Will. To begin, we need some information about you (the “Applicant”) and the Decedent.

This form contains all of the information that we will need to complete your case. Please answer each question as it will enable your case to be handled more efficiently.

Please understand that our receipt of this Worksheet does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The Duran Firm requires pre-payment of its fees and the execution of an engagement agreement prior to accepting you as a client. Usually we can assist you for a flat fee, and our fees are usually reimbursable from the Estate.

We look forward to working for you. Let's begin!

(NOTE: if the Decedent did not leave a Will, please complete the worksheet for that type of probate at: https://form.jotform.com/71356417647159 )
Section I. Information about the Applicant
Your Full Legal Name*
Your Name as Written in the Will*
Your Residence Address*
Street Address
City, State, Zip*
City, State, Zip
e-Mail*
e-Mail Address
Phone Number*
Best Phone Number
Your relationship to Decedent*
Relationship
Last 3 digits of social security number*
Last 3 SSN#
Last 3 digits of drivers license number*
Last 3 DL#

Section II. Information about the Decedent
Decedent’s Name as written in the Will*
Name Variations on Accounts
Decedent's Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Decedent's Date of Death*

MonthDayYear
Decedent's age on the date of death *
Decedent's Age
Last 3 digits of DECEDENT'S Social Security Number *
Last 3 SSN# (Decedent)
Last 3 digits of DECEDENT'S drivers license number *
Last 3 DL# (Decedent)
Location of Decedent's Death*

City, StateCounty (NOT Country)
Decedent's Residence at Death*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
County of Decedent's Residence*
County of Decedent's Residence (NOT Country)

Section III. Decedent's Marital History
Was the Decedent ever married?*

YesNo
Full Name of the Decedent's Spouse at the time of the Decedent's death.
Full Name of Surviving Spouse
Date of Marriage

MonthDayYear
Prior Spouse #1 Full Name
Full Name
Start of Marriage

MonthDayYear
End of Marriage

MonthDayYear
Reason for Termination of Marriage

DivorceSpouse #1 DiedDecedent Died
Prior Spouse #2 Full Name
Full Name
Marriage

MonthDayYear
End of Marriage

MonthDayYear
Reason for Termination of Marriage

DivorceSpouse #2 DiedDecedent Died

Section VII. Information Regarding Decedent’s Debts

Description of Decedent’s Debts:
Name of Person who Paid Funeral and the Costs
Name of Person and Amount
Healthcare Provider and Total Expenses NOT Covered by Insurance
Healthcare Provider and Amount
Credit Card Company and Total Unpaid Credit Card Balance
Credit Card Company and Amount
Utility Company Name and Total Unpaid Balance
Utility Company Name and Amount
Phone Company Name and Total Unpaid Balance
Phone Company Name and Amount
Please list information regarding all other debts
Company Name and Amount

Section VIII. Type of Probate and Venue
A muniment of title proceeding is a simplified probate wherein the court does not appoint an executor because no administration is necessary. The court’s Order Admitting Will to Probate gives the Will legal effect and constitutes sufficient legal authority to all persons to pay or transfer estate property to the persons described in the Will as the beneficiaries of the property. Most financial institutions, however, insist on only releasing estate funds to a court-appointed executor by requiring “Letters Testamentary” or “Letters of Administration” prior to releasing funds. In that event you have no choice but to ask the court to appoint an executor.
Would you be willing to immediately pay all of the Estate's outstanding debts in order to probate the Will as a muniment of title only?

YesNo
There is an option on where to have your probate matter considered. A court must have jurisdiction in order to enter a binding order. For probate matters, jurisdiction lies in the pobate courts, or sometimes county courts or county courts at law. Venue is the principle which determines which probate court r county court should consider the case. Jurisdiction cannot be waived by the parties, but venue can be waived.

The Collin County Probate Court allows the parties to waive venue and file their case in Collin County if all of the persons named in the Will and all of the persons who would inherit in the absence of the Will are in agreement with the probate of the Will in Collin County. Collin County is usually quicker and less problematic than are other area probate courts. Getting to the Collin County Probate Court is also easier for some who want to avoid downtown Dallas or Fort Worth.

The Duran Firm is comfortable practicing in all North Texas Probate Courts, so the decision is up to the Client.
Do all of the persons named in the Will and all of the persons who would inherit in the absence of the Will consent to the application for probate?

YesNo
Would you like to file your case in Collin County?

YesNo

I understand that the Duran Firm will rely on this Worksheet in order to complete work on my case and I have completed it to the best of my ability.
Applicant's Signature*

Clear
SIGNED AND ACCEPTED ON: *

MonthDayYear
Enter the message as it's shown*
(Optional) Please scan a copy of the Will and any Codicils into your computer and upload it here:

Upload a File
Copy of the Decedent's Last Will and Testament and any Codicils Cancelof
You may want to print this worksheet out, just in case something goes wrong. That way you can fax or email the printout without having to recomplete the worksheet.
Should be Empty: