Austin's tech boom (Tesla, Oracle, Apple, Dell) is producing a wave of complex tech equity estate matters. Two dedicated statutory probate courts. Texas independent administration system.
| Case Type | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small estate affidavit (under $75K) | 30–90 days | No court filing required |
| Muniment of title | 1–3 months | Will admitted; no personal representative |
| Independent administration | 3–6 months | Minimal court supervision; executor acts independently |
| Dependent administration | 9–18 months | Court approval required |
| Contested estate / tech equity | 24–60+ months | Expert witnesses; full discovery |
| Estate Value | Attorney Fees | Executor Fees | Total Est. Cost | % of Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $8,000–$18,000 (est. reasonable) | $8,000–$25,000 (up to 5%) | $18,000–$48,000+ | 3.6%–9.6% |
| $2,000,000 | $20,000–$55,000 (est.) | $25,000–$100,000 (up to 5%) | $50,000–$160,000+ | 2.5%–8.0% |
| $5,000,000 | $40,000–$130,000+ | $60,000–$250,000+ | $105,000–$400,000+ | 2.1%–8.0% |
* Estimates based on Probate Insider Reference Series 2026. Actual costs vary. Not legal advice.