Small Estate Affidavit
A sworn document filed with the Probate Court that transfers the decedent's property to heirs without a full administration. Fastest and cheapest path.
- Filing fee
- $350–$387
- Timeline
- 1-2 mo
- Lawyer
- no
Settling a loved one's estate,
without the guesswork.
Everything a first-time executor needs: the right probate process for your situation, realistic costs and timelines, and the court documents drafted and ready to file.
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Takes about 3 minutes. No subscription required.
“The inventory tools alone probably saved me 100 hours.”
Victor L.
“So much information but it wasn't overwhelming.”
Marissa W.
“Properly documenting the closing of the estate is so important.”
Daniel J.
Five ways an estate is settled in Texas
Texas probate isn't one process. It's five, each with different requirements, costs, and timelines. Knowing which one applies to your situation can save months and thousands in fees you shouldn't be paying.
Affidavit of Heirship
A sworn statement filed with the the county clerk's Real Property Records — not with the probate court. Clears title to real estate only.
- Filing fee
- $26–$50
- Timeline
- 0-1 mo
- Lawyer
- optional
Probate as Muniment of Title
Texas-specific shortcut: admit the will to probate to transfer title only, without appointing an executor or administering the estate. One hearing, no ongoing administration.
- Filing fee
- $378–$432
- Timeline
- 1-3 mo
- Lawyer
- optional
Independent Administration
The Texas default for estates with a will (or with agreement of all heirs). Once an independent executor is appointed and the inventory is filed, the court is largely hands-off.
- Filing fee
- $378–$432
- Timeline
- 6-12 mo
- Lawyer
- yes
Dependent Administration
Court-supervised administration. Required when heirs can't agree, there are contested creditors, or the will doesn't allow independent administration. Every material action needs court approval.
- Filing fee
- $378–$432
- Timeline
- 12-37 mo
- Lawyer
- yes
Not sure which one applies?
That's what we're here for. A few questions and we'll identify the right path for your situation.
Start the questionnaire →Filing fees shown are ranges across supported Texas counties, current as of 2026. Always verify with the county clerk before filing.
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About us
Built by cresio.
Cresio is an AI-native intelligence platform for commercial real estate. We build tools that help brokers understand properties, owners, and markets at a level that used to require a team of analysts.
Along the way we've learned a lot about state property records, probate filings, and county court processes, information that mattered just as much for families settling an estate as it did for brokerage teams. So we built this.
Why free: We already run the infrastructure. Offering a tool that helps grieving families navigate the probate process costs us almost nothing, and charging people a subscription at one of the worst moments of their lives is not a business we're interested in. This will stay free.
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Answer a few questions to get the path, checklist, and documents that fit your situation. No subscription required.
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Takes about 3 minutes.