Estate planning is often overlooked, leaving many families vulnerable when tragedy strikes. Sixty percent of Americans lack a will or estate planning documents, exposing their loved ones to prolonged and costly legal battles, according to a 2017 AARP survey. Kyle Robbins, founder of Austin-based Robbins Estate Law, is working to change that, especially for families facing sudden loss.
Since founding his firm in 2017, Robbins has built a team that specializes in estate planning, probate and litigation. However, his work extends beyond standard legal services. Motivated to help families in need, Robbins provides pro bono estate planning and probate services to individuals facing severe financial and legal hardships after losing a spouse.
“Our firm was actually founded in conjunction with a lot of pro bono work,” Robbins said. “When I started, I applied for a grant from the State Bar of Texas called the Texas Opportunity for Justice Incubator. I was awarded close to $50,000 worth of free office space and legal support for 18 months, and in exchange, I provided 120 hours of pro bono services.”
Initially, estate planning didn't seem to have an urgent need for pro bono services, unlike family law. However, as his practice grew, Robbins discovered a gap—families left in financial turmoil after the sudden death of a primary breadwinner.
One particular scenario reinforced his commitment to pro bono work.
“A young mom, about 38 years old, lost her husband,” he said. “They had no estate plan in place, and they had young children. When minor children are involved and there’s no will, we’re forced into a judge-supervised dependent administration, which is the most expensive and time-consuming form of probate. It can take up to two years and cost $30,000 to $40,000 just to get access to the estate’s assets.”
These legal barriers can be overwhelming for a grieving parent trying to sell a home and relocate closer to family. Robbins Estate Law recognizes this and now takes on select pro bono cases each year to help families navigate these hardships.
“We’ve already handled three cases like this just this year alone,” Robbins said. “I got tired of charging for services to those folks. It’s a horrible thing to ask of a young family who just lost their spouse and is trying to move forward.”
One such case involved a stay-at-home mother of three whose husband was tragically killed in an accident. Poor legal advice before his death resulted in his assets, including their home and life insurance, being locked in legal limbo.
“She just wanted to move closer to her parents for support,” Robbins said. “The last thing I wanted to do was take her through a drawn-out, expensive probate process.”
Instead, his firm covered all court filing fees and third-party expenses and donated their legal time. “I’m happy to say she was able to sell her home quickly and relocate to be with her family,” he said. “That’s why we do it.”
Although his firm can only take on a limited number of pro bono cases each year, Robbins hopes to expand these efforts. “Right now, we prioritize cases where a surviving parent has children under the age of 12 and has no resources to navigate the legal system,” he said. “But I’d love to grow our capacity to help more families in the future.”
Beyond pro bono work, Robbins Estate Law emphasizes proactive estate planning.
“If you don’t have an estate plan in place, you’re planning for chaos,” Robbins warned. “People assume everything seamlessly transfers to the surviving spouse, but not always. Without a plan, your family is at risk of facing unnecessary legal hurdles.”
For those looking to protect their loved ones, Robbins urges action.
“One of the best gifts you can leave your family is a well-prepared estate plan,” he said. “We don’t get to choose when we need one, but when the time comes, it makes all the difference.”
“One of the best gifts you can leave your family is a well-prepared estate plan.”