Spring, TX estate planning & probate attorney Christine Butts explains why you need a lawyer to help with probate and/or trust administration. She explains that clients who are serving as a fiduciary—meaning they have been appointed by a judge as an administrator or executor to manage a decedent’s estate—are required by Texas courts to be represented by counsel. She emphasizes that this requirement exists because an executor or administrator is managing estate assets on behalf of others: the beneficiaries, as well as any creditors who may have claims against the estate.

She notes that administering an estate involves many technical steps and complex procedures. Having a lawyer to guide the process is crucial. She often compares it to embarking on a challenging journey, such as hiking the Appalachian Trail—administering an estate is a journey, and having an experienced guide ensures that it proceeds smoothly and correctly. This is precisely why the courts require fiduciaries to have legal counsel by their side.