Collin County Will Contests and Estate Disputes

A county where we routinely handle cases is Collin County. It is one of the fastest growing counties in the country and includes cities such as Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Prosper.

Probate jurisdiction in many Texas counties can be confusing. But not so in Collin County. It has a statutory probate court that has jurisdiction over both contested and uncontested estates. It also has jurisdiction over trust disputes.

Longtime probate Judge Weldon Copeland recently retired. He was replaced by Judge Sarah Duff:

Judge Duff is assisted by associate judges. The associate judges hear both contested and uncontested cases. They can even try contested cases by agreement of the parties. Their assistance is important, given the large docket of the Collin County probate court.

As of 2024, Collin County had an estimated population of 1.2 million. Its population is generally highly educated and relatively affluent, with an estimated average income the highest in Texas.

Common Estate Disputes in Collin County

Some of the most frequent issues we see in Collin County probate cases include:

  • Will Contests – Disputes regarding the validity of a will, particularly when one party alleges undue influence, lack of capacity, or fraud.

  • Trust Litigation – Collin County probate court also handles disputes involving trusts, including trustee misconduct, failure to distribute assets, and allegations of mismanagement.

  • Executor and Trustee Disputes – Executors and trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of beneficiaries. The are fiduciaries and owe the highest duties under the law

  • Inheritance Disputes Among Family Members – High-value estates often lead to conflicts between heirs, particularly in blended families or where a large portion of an estate is left to a non-relative.

  • Beneficiary Designation Challenges – Many disputes involve life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets that pass outside of probate when a beneficiary designation is contested.

Experienced Collin County Probate Dispute Lawyers

Probate disputes can be complex when substantial assets are involved. Our firm regularly handles contested estate cases in Collin County and has the experience needed to fight for your inheritance. Contact J. Michael Young at (214) 382- 2067 or (800) 323-1857.

J. Michael Young