Law Offices of Brian Hill PLLC

Education Brian graduated with a political science degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Later on, he became a graduate with honors from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Brian was honored with an Honors Scholarship and a Certificate of Merit for Estate Planning while he studied at Cooley Law School. Certificates of Merit are given to students who achieve the highest class mark. Following his graduation, Brian worked as a clerk at Monroe County Probate Court in Michigan and for the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division on white-collar crime cases. He also worked in the Travis County District Clerk's Office and had a long career in banking before finally attending law school. What is Estate Administration in Probate? A court-supervised transfer of legal property ownership from the decedent to the beneficiaries is known as probate. A probate can be done after, but usually during, a decedent’s estate. There are three types of probates: independent administration, probate without a will, and determinations of heirship. This article will mostly focus on independent administration, as it’s the most common way to handle a deceased person’s estate when there is a valid will. Independent Administration in Probate This type of probate involves the Court admitting the will to be proved, and then appointing the Independent Executor (or an alternate) named in it to manage the estate, deal with the creditors and finances, and transfer the remaining estate to the beneficiaries. Probates of this sort are the most common in Texas. The estate is administered without the need for any court orders, so there is little court involvement. However, the probate is not a court-free process: there is filing and publication requirements, and the court must approve the final accounting and distributions to the beneficiaries. Most probates end without any significant court involvement. Independent administration is less expensive, faster, and less complex than the other types of probate. The Texas Probate Code has established when independent administration is appropriate (most probates) to protect the decedent's interests, and only the court can make any decisions that the parties cannot agree on. In cases where independent administration is not applicable, the Court may appoint an Independent Administrator (IA) to fulfill the same duties. The Court can also appoint the IA as requested by all... What is “Probate”?

Brian Hill is highly acclaimed by his clients for his commitment and expertise in probate, guardianship, and estate planning. He is known for his personal touch and great communication, as well as his practical attitude that resolves complex legal issues. Clients praise his probate and estate law expertise, and asserts that he is a lawyer to call when things get tough. His practical advice reassures struggling clients. His positive impact on clients got high praise with hand-written letters and endless thanks. He possess a unique simultaneous caring and competent skill." "Family recommend him vehemently as the best choice for guardianship, assuming a role of consummate professional, client advocate, and urgent helper. Wealth management and trust planning are his master areas of focus." "In other instances, clients refer to Brian as someone who was indispensable during the hardest of times, leaning on him for support. No other estate lawyer is as competent or committed as Brian. People looking for a new estate or guardianship lawyer will love the fact that someone so compassionate will now help them." "Highly recommended for any probate or estate matter!"