In this episode of the Texas Probate Real Estate Podcast, host Jeremy Kritt — a licensed Texas real estate broker specializing in probate property sales — sits down with Joseph Michael Dickerson, a board-certified estate planning and probate attorney in Texas since 1995. Together, they explore the intersection of probate law and real estate, uncovering the hidden challenges that executors, heirs, and agents often face.

The discussion highlights the muniment of title process, why it only applies to real estate, and how overlooking assets can lead to costly amendments. They also address community property misconceptions in Texas, explaining why property doesn’t automatically transfer to a surviving spouse and why legal title updates are essential.

Joseph shares real-world cases showing how family conflict can inflate legal fees from $8,000 to $33,000, while Jeremy emphasizes the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and patience in guiding families through probate. Together, they stress that probate real estate requires not only technical expertise but also empathy, communication, and a commitment to protecting estate value.

If you are in Texas and wondering about selling a house in probate, this episode breaks down the probate process in plain English.

Joseph Michael Dickerson's (Guest) Bio:

Joseph Michael Dickerson is an author and a board-certified estate planning and probate attorney in Texas since 1995, as well as a Rotarian, and entrepreneur.

Mr. Dickerson has a BBA in Finance from Texas State University, an MBA in International Trade from TAMIU, and a JD from St. Mary’s Law School. He has been in private practice since November 1995. His estate planning and business formation law firm has a base office in Laredo and recently expanded to New Braunfels in 2021. He is also an escrow officer with Texas Lone Star Title. Mr. Dickerson has owned several rental properties and has developed and sold commercial shopping centers.

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Texas State Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate

AUTHOR

- The Road Map to Rich, A Lawyer’s Perspective on Getting and Staying Rich

- The 3 Bucket Method for Asset Protection (also in Spanish)

- The 3 Bucket Method for the Trucking Industry

- The Texan’s Guide of the Probate Process

- The Dirt Bucket: A Texan’s Guide to Real Estate

- Passing It On: Ensure Your Legacy Gets in the Right Hands

In this episode of the Texas Probate Real Estate Podcast, host Jeremy Kritt — a licensed Texas real estate broker specializing in probate property sales — sits down with elder law attorney Teresa Shapiro to uncover the hidden truths about probate in Texas. With over 25 years of experience, Teresa shares her journey into probate law and explains why grieving before rushing into the legal process is essential for families. She highlights the four‑year probate filing window, the fiduciary duty executors have to preserve estate value, and the costly consequences of waiting too long to act.

Together, Jeremy and Teresa dive into misunderstood community property laws, revealing why assets don’t automatically transfer to a surviving spouse and how this misconception often creates title complications for heirs. They also discuss the risks of affidavits of heirship, why some title companies refuse to accept them, and how these shortcuts can lead to future sales being blocked. For executors, heirs, and real estate professionals, this episode provides practical guidance on avoiding probate pitfalls, protecting estate value, and ensuring smoother property transactions.

Whether you’re an executor navigating probate for the first time, a family member trying to understand your rights, or a real estate agent working with probate listings, this conversation offers actionable insights, real‑world examples, and expert advice to help you make informed decisions in one of life’s most challenging transitions.

Teresa Shapiro's (Guest) Bio:

Teresa Shapiro is an elder law attorney based in Round Rock, Texas. Originally from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, she earned two Bachelor’s degrees and her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. With over 20 years of experience, Teresa focuses on helping the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers. She is active in her community through various professional organizations and volunteer work, and enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her family and dachshunds.

In this episode of the Texas Probate Real Estate Podcast, host Jeremy Kritt sits down with board‑certified psychologist Dr. Krista Jordan to explore the emotional and psychological challenges that families face during the Texas probate process.

Dr. Jordan explains why grief, stress, and family dynamics can make even simple probate tasks feel overwhelming, how the brain changes after loss, and why executors often struggle with procrastination, decision‑making, and conflict among heirs.

Jeremy and Dr. Jordan discuss the emotional weight of sorting through a loved one’s belongings, the pressure of managing estate responsibilities while grieving, and how stress can cloud judgment during critical real estate and financial decisions. Dr. Jordan also shares practical guidance on when to seek counseling, what therapy actually looks like, and how mental health support can help executors and administrators move through probate with more clarity, stability, and confidence.

This conversation offers compassionate insight and actionable tools for anyone navigating probate real estate in Texas.

Resources:
A helpful resource for grief is **The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman. It’s a well-known guide that offers practical tools many people find helpful when working through loss.

The **The Christi Center in Austin offers grief support groups for many types of loss, including the loss of partners, children, siblings, suicide, or violent crime. Being with others who have experienced similar losses can provide a unique kind of support that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. They offer both online and in-person groups.

**Hospice Austin also provides grief support, including a free virtual drop-in group that requires no appointment or commitment. They also offer a more structured 8-week grief support program, organized by type of loss, which may meet virtually or in person.

Many churches, mosques, and synagogues also host free grief support groups, so people comfortable in faith-based environments may want to check local places of worship.

For managing anxiety and stress, practices like guided imagery, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindfulness can help regulate the nervous system during difficult times.

Research also shows that a simple gratitude practice can be very powerful. Studies suggest that even a single act of gratitude can increase happiness and significantly reduce depressive symptoms. Resources such as Mental Health First Aid, research from Robert Emmons, and guided meditations from Greater Good Science Center offer helpful introductions.

Another valuable support network is Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA), a free 12-step program that helps people navigate complex family dynamics. Many participants find insight in the program’s well-known “Laundry List” of 14 traits often seen in adults raised in dysfunctional homes.

For learning how to set healthy boundaries, two widely recommended books are **Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, and Codependent No More by Melody Beattie.