Sweeny, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

Making a claim against an estate for in-home care of a friend or loved one can be difficult. The truth is that many times these claims often fall under the category of "things that you would have done anyway." Effectively, you are taking the position of being a creditor owed a debt by the estate for the services that you provided. As with any creditor's claim, much of the viability is found in the details. Was there an agreement of some kind between you and the decedent, verbal, or in writing? Was there an expectation of remuneration on your part and expectation of payment for the services on the decedent's part? Is it possible to prove a debt and recover a part of the estate for your services? Sure. Whether or not it is likely depends far too much on the specific arrangement. Your best bet is to consult with a probate attorney near you to outline all of the relevant facts involved.

Contact a probate lawyer who practices in the county in which your grandmother lived and died.  Since the check is to the estate, not to you, you must open a formal probate (proving) of her estate by filing an Application for Determination of Heirship and Issuance of Letters of Administration or, depending on the amount in her estate, a Small Estate Affidavit.