A muniment of title is one of the most streamlined probate options available under Texas law. It allows a valid will to be admitted to probate for the sole purpose of transferring title to the decedent’s assets — without appointing an executor or opening a full estate administration. For families…
Texas law imposes a strict four-year deadline to file a will for probate after the testator’s death. Under Texas Estates Code § 256.003, if an interested party does not submit the will to the appropriate probate court within that window, the options for probating the estate narrow considerably — and…
Probate in Texas is the court-supervised legal process that validates a deceased person’s will, appoints an executor or administrator, and authorizes the distribution of estate assets to heirs and beneficiaries. Under the Texas Estates Code, most estates that include assets titled solely in the decedent’s name must pass through some…
When a Texas probate court appoints an executor or administrator to manage a decedent’s estate, one of the most consequential decisions is whether the administration will be independent or dependent. Independent administration under Texas Estates Code § 401.001 et seq. gives the executor broad authority to act without prior court…
The total cost of probate in Texas depends on several factors: the type of proceeding, the county where the case is filed, the complexity of the estate, and whether the matter is contested. For a straightforward uncontested probate in Dallas County or Harris County, total costs — including court filing…
Affidavits of heirship sound simple: two disinterested people sign a sworn statement about family history, and—on paper—title passes to the heirs. For Dallas landlords with multiple rentals, the tool can look like a quick alternative to probate. Sometimes it is. Other times, title companies balk, lenders refuse to refinance, and…
Moving to Austin brings new routines, new licenses, and—if you are married—new rules about property. Texas is a community-property state, which means most assets you and your spouse acquire during marriage belong to both of you. With one short document, a Community-Property Survivorship Agreement, you can turn that shared ownership…
Serving as an executor can feel like an administrative job until something goes wrong. In Texas probate, an executor can face personal liability if they mishandle estate funds, fail to follow required procedures, or treat estate property as their own for temporary use. Most executors are family members doing their…
Many Dallas families own mineral interests across state lines. When the owner dies, operators will not transfer division orders based solely on a Texas probate. You need ancillary steps in the state where the minerals sit. With a coordinated plan, you can satisfy Oklahoma and New Mexico requirements quickly, keep…
Family friction can stop probate in its tracks. When siblings distrust each other, dependent administration—where the court supervises most major steps—can restore order. In Dallas County, this structure trades speed for certainty. If you pick it on purpose, you protect the executor, calm beneficiaries, and keep the estate on a…