Westhoff, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

By statute in Nevada, she has 30 days to deposit the Will with the clerk of the court. A certified letter advising her of the same, retaining a copy would be a good first step. To file a petition to have her show cause why she has not filed the Will, will have a failing fee associated with it and probably three hours of attorney's fees. Thus an estimate of $1200 to $1500 would probably be in the ballpark.

In Texas, an interested person can petition the appropriate probate court to compel a person in possession of a Will to deposit the document with the County Clerk. The costs associated with doing so will vary by attorney, but the amount of time involved to achieve this is not substantial. Of course, having the Will deposited only brings it to light. If, as you suspect, there are reasons to believe that the document is not genuine or does not reflect the true intentions of the decedent, you can expect quite a fight. Probate litigation, like anything else, can become very expensive very quickly. Many attorneys handle matters like this on an hourly rate basis, while others may take the case on a contingency arrangement. Visit with a probate attorney near you now, as the issue will not resolve itself in your favor.