Factors Texas Courts Consider When Appointing an Estate Administrator — Texas
Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It explains how Texas courts commonly decide who should be appointed to administer an estate. For advice about a particular situation, consult a licensed Texas probate attorney. When a person dies in Texas and the court must appoint someone […]
Read article →Using Sale Proceeds to Pay Estate Cleanup Costs in Texas
Detailed Answer Short version: Yes — when property is sold as part of a Texas probate estate, the sale proceeds generally become estate assets and may be used to pay reasonable administration expenses, including junk removal and personal-property cleanup, provided the sale and the payments are authorized by the personal representative or by the court. […]
Read article →Regaining Control of a Deceased Parent’s Bank and Credit Card Accounts in Texas
How to regain control of a deceased parent’s bank and credit card accounts in Texas Short answer: Act quickly. Get certified copies of the death certificate, contact banks and card issuers to freeze accounts, determine who has legal authority (joint owner, beneficiary, or court-appointed representative), and if someone is using the accounts without authority pursue […]
Read article →Texas: How Probate Handles Unauthorized Charges to a Parent's Estate
How the Texas probate process addresses unauthorized charges to a parent’s estate Short answer (lay summary): If unauthorized charges or withdrawals appear on your parent’s estate accounts, Texas probate law gives heirs and interested persons several tools: review the executor’s inventory and accounting, object to improper claims or charges, ask the probate court to remove […]
Read article →How to Secure a Deceased Person’s Home and Inventory Belongings in Texas
Securing a Deceased Person’s Home and Preventing Removal of Property in Texas Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice about your specific situation. Quick answer — what to do first If someone has died and you are concerned that siblings or others will remove belongings before you […]
Read article →How to Get Appointed Administrator of an Intestate Estate in Texas
Step-by-step FAQ: Getting appointed administrator of a deceased parent’s estate in Texas This FAQ explains, in plain language, how someone can be appointed to administer a loved one’s estate in Texas when the decedent died without a will (intestate). It outlines the common court process, what documents you’ll need, alternatives to formal administration, typical timelines […]
Read article →Texas — Order of Succession Among Children When There Is No Will
Understanding How Children Inherit When Someone Dies Without a Will in Texas Detailed answer — how succession among children works in Texas If a person dies in Texas without a valid will, state intestacy rules determine who inherits. When the decedent’s nearest kin are children (and no will or other transfer covers the property), those […]
Read article →Texas: How to Get Court Approval to Sell a House and Pay Off the Mortgage
Detailed Answer Short summary: If a court must authorize the sale of a house in Texas, the process depends on why the court must approve the sale (probate administration of a decedent’s estate, a guardianship for an incapacitated owner, a divorce property order, or a bankruptcy). The common steps are: identify the legal basis for […]
Read article →Texas: How to Open an Estate Bank Account Using an IRS EIN
Detailed Answer This guide explains, in plain language, how to open a bank account for your deceased parent’s estate in Texas using an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN). It assumes you start with no legal background and walks through the practical steps, the legal authority you’ll usually need, and common bank requirements. Who can open […]
Read article →Texas: What Happens If a Creditor Files a Claim After the 90-Day Notice Period Ends?
Detailed Answer This answer explains what typically happens in Texas when a creditor submits a claim against a decedent’s estate after the 90‑day notice period has passed. It assumes a standard probate administration (not a special proceeding) and uses general Texas probate practice. This is an educational overview — not legal advice. What the 90‑day […]
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