Challenging a will is never just about money—it’s about truth, fairness, and honoring your loved one’s true intent.

If you believe a will was signed under suspicious circumstances, you have legal options. Contesting a will in Texas can be complex, but with the right strategy and an experienced probate litigation attorney, it’s possible to protect your inheritance and restore justice.
At Baxter-Thompson Law PLLC, we represent heirs and beneficiaries across Texas in high-stakes will contests and estate disputes, often on a contingency-fee basis. Here’s what successful will challenges have in common.

1. Act Quickly Before the Deadline Passes

Texas law imposes a strict two-year statute of limitations for will contests, starting from the date the will is admitted to probate.
Early action allows your attorney to preserve medical records, witness statements, and key documents before they disappear.

2. Build a Solid Evidentiary Foundation

A winning will contest begins with strong evidence. The best cases combine:

• Medical records showing dementia, Alzheimer’s, or cognitive decline
• Expert testimony from physicians or psychologists about capacity
• Lay witness accounts describing confusion, dependence, or isolation
• Documentary proof of sudden or suspicious changes in estate plans

Our firm often engages forensic handwriting experts, geriatric specialists, and financial investigators to strengthen the record before trial.

3. Identify the Right Legal Grounds

In Texas, wills are most often challenged for:
• Lack of testamentary capacity– the decedent didn’t understand what they were signing
• Undue influence– someone manipulated or pressured them into changing the will
• Fraud or forgery– the document was falsified or misrepresented
• Improper execution– the will doesn’t meet the legal requirements of Texas Estates Code §251.051
Choosing the right legal theory—and understanding how courts analyze it—is critical to success.

4. Expose Patterns of Control or Isolation

Undue influence is rarely proven by one act—it’s shown through a pattern of coercion and control. Common warning signs include:
• A caregiver or family member who isolates the testator
• Abrupt changes to long-standing estate plans
• Removal of professional advisors or family from involvement
• Dependence on one person for care or finances
Our team knows how to build these narratives for the court using medical, financial, and testimonial evidence.

5. Leverage Discovery Strategically

Effective discovery is where many cases are won. We use subpoenas, depositions, and document requests to uncover communications, financial transactions, and witness inconsistencies.
Each piece of evidence helps reveal who benefited and how—the foundation of every successful will contest.

6. Consider Mediation and Settlement Wisely

Not every will contest needs to go to trial.
Mediation can protect privacy, reduce cost, and allow heirs to reach creative settlements that the court might not order.
We often use mediation strategically after discovery, when the strength of the evidence encourages favorable resolutions.

7. Work with an Experienced Trial Lawyer

Contesting a will is both emotionally charged and procedurally demanding.
You need counsel who understands the Texas Estates Code, the rules of evidence, and the dynamics of family control and coercion.
At Baxter-Thompson Law PLLC, our founder Brandy Baxter-Thompson is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has successfully handled complex probate and trust litigation across Texas.

Protect Your Rights and Your Legacy

If you suspect a will was the product of undue influence, fraud, or incapacity, don’t wait.
📞 Contact Baxter-Thompson Law PLLC today for a confidential consultation with an experienced Texas will contest attorney.
We’ll assess your case, explain your options, and, where appropriate, discuss contingency-fee representation to help you pursue the justice—and inheritance—you deserve.