Probate: 469.708.6050
Wills & Guardianship: 214.227.6400
13355 Noel Rd., Ste. 1100
Dallas, Texas 75240
Welcome to the Duran Firm
Fixed-Fee Probate — Great Rates! A Dallas and Collin County probate attorney with extensive experience and reasonable, fixed fees, Michael Duran has helped over 2,000 clients with their uncontested probate, guardianship, and estate planning matters. We believe that our rates are fair, particularly when you consider that Michael is a former probate court clerk who has been appointed by the Collin County Probate Court and all three Dallas County Probate Courts to administer probate and guardianship estates when there is no family member that is qualified to do so. In effect, Michael has been in your shoes as he has served as an executor or guardian.
Probate should not be expensive in situations where there are no disputes among the decedent's family members, particularly if the decedent underwent the time and expense to obtain a professionally drafted will. That's why executors are shocked when they call around and receive hourly-fee retainer requests of $3,000 to $5,000. At the Duran Firm, we like to fit clients into competitive, fixed-fee arrangements whenever possible. In order to be considered for a fixed fee, the following conditions must be met when probating a will:
1. The Decedent must have been a resident of the DFW area;
2. The Decedent must have died within the last four years;
3. The matter must remain completely uncontested;
4. The executor must have the original will (not a copy);
5. The Will must appoint an “Independent Executor” or provide for “Independent Administration” or the probate must be a muniment of title proceeding; and
6. The Will must be "self-proved." Click here for a full discussion of this requirement (Texas Estates Code Section 251).
If there is not a will, we can still help you for a fixed fee provided requirements 1-3 above are met, and all of the intestate heirs of the estate have legal capacity and can agree on the process for probating the estate.
How to get started. There are many different ways to probate a decedent's estate. To learn about them, you can call the Firm at 469.708.6050 and we will walk you through the process. Most times we can also give you a quote on what you can expect to pay, subject to receiving the original will (if there is one) and a completed Client Information Worksheet.
You can also read about all of the different ways to probate an estate by clicking on the links below.
Learn about the different types: Probate with a Will
Get started:
Probate of a Will
Fees:
Collin County |
Dallas County |
Denton County |
Tarrant County
Learn about the different types: Probate without a Will
Get started:
Probate without a Will
Fees:
Collin County |
Dallas County |
Denton County |
Tarrant County
Other Practice Areas (click to discover):
- Contested Probate
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Effective January 1, 2024, the Duran Firm no longer handles contested matters. If your matter turns contested, we will refer you to new counsel and assist you in the transition to such counsel.
- Willing Good: Goal-Driven Estate Planning
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If you are researching drafting a will or estate plan, then you are probably a goal-driven person. Your Will, as part of a comprehensive estate plan, is your last chance to do something good for your family. Hence the term, "Willing Good." A person should have a Will that eliminates any questions as to who should inherit and control the estate after death. What if, however, you could go beyond that and draft a Will that helps you or your heirs achieve goals after you are gone? That's what goal-driven planning is about. The Duran Firm can assist you with the preparation of your Last Will and Testament as well as any ancillary estate planning documents such as a power of attorney or living will.
The Process. We know that getting an estate plan is a hassle, so we try to make the process easy by minimizing the paperwork and the office visits:
1. Complete a Worksheet below and submit it online
- No need to print, fill in, and return via scan, fax or mail
2. Initial phone appointment to discuss your plan
- No need to come into the attorney's office for an initial visit
3. Sign fee agreement and make payment online
- No need to dig out the checkbook and a stamp
4. Review and make changes to your estate plan
5. Attend a formal execution ceremony, or we can send you instructions on how to execute the documents in your home.
So with one visit you can have an attorney-prepared estate plan for a reasonable fee.
Client Information Worksheets:
- Guardianship
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Guardianship is the process where a court determines that a person is unable to make his or her own personal and financial decisions and appoints a guardian to make those decisions. Guardianship is often sought for seniors that are afflicted with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or some other affliction which compromises the senior's ability to make responsible decisions. Guardianship is also sought for persons with special needs that have reached the age of 18 years. If you have a loved one that you think needs a guardian, please call our office to schedule a consultation.
What kind of probate do I need? Let our Probate Navigator suggest a probate that is right for you.
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News & Recent Articles
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Michael Duran on North Texas Probate Bench Bar for second time
Novmeber 27, 2022
Michael Duran is part of the organizing committee for the third North Texas Probate Bench Bar. The 2023 Bench Bar is an opportunity for lawyers and judges to get together in a more casual setting to learn more about the courts' procedures and about the judges themselves. Michael served on the inaugural Probate Bench Bar in 2019.
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Michael Duran completes his duties as Chairperson of the Dallas Bar Association Probate, Trusts and Estates Council
June 1, 2019
Dallas Probate Attorney Michael Duran completed his term as the Chairperson of the Dallas Bar Association's Probate, Trusts & Estates Council. The Council is the leadership component of the Probate Section, an affinity group of the Dallas Bar Association consisting of over 800 attorneys.
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Michael Duran presides over the First Annual North Texas Probate Bench Bar Conference
March 8, 2019
The DBA's Probate Section, in cooperation with the probate sections from Collin and Tarrant Counties, presented the first annual North Texas Probate Bench Bar Conference. The conference brought together probate lawyers and judges from throughout North Texas at the Gaylord Texan Resort for continuing legal education and social activities in a relaxed setting. As Section Chair, Michael introduced the speakers and participated in panels with the probate judges.
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Client receives Letters of Administration with Will Annexed
November 2, 2017
The primary beneficiary named in the will was not named as the executor. The named executors waived their right to serve and the Firm petitioned the court for the client to be appointed as Independent Administrator with Will Annexed without Bond. This work was accomplished for a fixed fee.
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Client receives Letters of Administration and Determination of Heirship
October 25, 2017
The mother of a decedent was appointed as the Independent Administrator of the Estate. She was also declared to be heir to 1/2 of the estate. The other 1/2 was granted to the decedent's siblings or their descendants. This case had an adoption as a complicating factor. Texas law says that a child that is adopted out maintains the right to inherit from the natural parent unless the adoption decree says otherwise. The work was accomplished for a fixed fee.
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Michael Duran named as Section Chair Elect for the Dallas Bar Association Probate, Trusts and Estates Council
May 23, 2017
Dallas Probate Attorney Michael Duran was selected by the Dallas Bar Association's Probate, Trusts & Estates Section to serve as Section Chair Elect. As such, Michael is is expected to serve as Chair of the Council for the 2018-2019 section year.
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Michael Duran attends Lawyernomics Conference
May 23, 2017
Dallas Probate Lawyer Michael Duran attended Avvo's Lawyernomics Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference was centered on the business aspects of practicing law and how a lawyer can make his or her own practice more efficient so as to better serve his or her clients.
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Michael Duran attends Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course
June 22, 2016
Dallas Probate Lawyer Michael Duran attended Texas Bar CLE's 40th Annual Estate Planning and Probate Course. The course featured presentations on Defenses to a Will Contest, Summary Judgement in Probate and Guardianship Matters, and the Rights and Duties of Homestead Tenants.
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Michael Duran named as Program Chair for the Dallas Bar Association Probate, Trusts and Estates Council
June 1, 2015
Dallas Probate Attorney Michael Duran was selected by the Section Chair to serve as the Program Chair for the Dallas Bar Association's Probate, Trusts & Estates Section. As such, Michael is responsible for planning and coordinating the monthly Continuing Legal Education program for the Probate Section.
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Michael Duran helps write Local Rules for Dallas County Probate Courts
October 16, 2014
Dallas Probate Attorney Michael Duran was selected by the Dallas County Probate Court judges to serve on the committee to make recommendations on the proposed local rules for the Probate Courts.
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The Texas Estates Code is enacted
January 01, 2014
The Texas legislature recently enacted a law that replaced the Texas Probate Code with the new Texas Estates Code.
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Michael Duran of the Duran Firm 'teaches class' for new Dallas Probate Lawyers.
December 02, 2013
On December 2, 2013, Michael was the moderator and lead presenter for the Dallas Bar Association’s CLE, A Beginner’s Guide to Probate Practice.
How Can We Help?
Looking for something specific? See if any of the options below are what you need:
Our Team
Michael A. Duran, Attorney
Jacqueline Gutierrez
Probate Paralegal
Sara Garcia Diaz
Estate Planning and Guardianship Paralegal
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Coverage Area
We practice probate in the following counties in the Dallas / Fort Worth / Plano / North Texas area:
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