Which statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings in Texas (TX)?
Detailed Answer This answer explains what a personal representative (executor/administrator) or guardian typically must produce and attach when filing annual and final probate accountings in Texas. This is a plain-language, practical guide — not legal advice. Always confirm specific local rules and any court order that applies in your case. What law governs accountings in […]
Read article →What steps can heirs take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation in TX
Resolving an elective share dispute by mediation under Texas law Quick summary: Heirs who want to resolve an elective-share dispute through mediation should gather estate documents, confirm the surviving spouse’s statutory rights, pick a mediator experienced in Texas probate and family-property matters, exchange written positions and valuations before the session, and use the mediation to […]
Read article →What is the process for negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount in estate administration in Texas (TX)?
Detailed Answer — Negotiating a Creditor’s Payoff Amount During Texas Estate Administration Short answer: As a personal representative (executor or administrator) in Texas, you must identify and evaluate creditor claims, verify whether the claim is valid and timely, and then negotiate a settlement that protects estate assets while following probate rules. If the estate is […]
Read article →What steps can be taken to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt? (Texas)
Verify or Contest a Creditor’s Payoff Quote for an Estate Debt in Texas This FAQ explains practical steps you can take to verify or challenge a creditor’s payoff quote for a debt owed by an estate under Texas law. This is informational only and not legal advice; consult a lawyer to address your specific situation. […]
Read article →How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a Texas small estate case?
Detailed Answer — How to prepare and submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a Texas small estate case In Texas, when a decedent’s estate consists mainly of personal property and the estate qualifies as a “small estate,” you can use a sworn affidavit to collect and distribute personal property without full probate administration. […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures in TX
Detailed Answer Short answer: To show asset transfers under Texas small‑estate procedures you will normally need a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate, a completed small‑estate affidavit or other statutory affidavit authorized by the Texas Estates Code, and documentation proving ownership and the current value of each asset (bank statements, account numbers, vehicle titles, […]
Read article →What are the legal requirements and process for transferring a decedent’s firearms during probate in Texas?
FAQ: Transferring a Decedent’s Firearms During Probate in Texas Short answer: In Texas, firearms in a deceased person’s estate are treated as personal property. The personal representative (executor or administrator) must locate, secure, inventory, and then transfer or distribute those firearms according to the will or Texas probate rules. Transfers must not give firearms to […]
Read article →What documentation is needed to prove ownership when filing a surplus funds claim? – TX
Detailed Answer When someone buys property at a foreclosure or tax sale in Texas, any sale proceeds left over after creditors and costs are paid are called “surplus funds” (also called overages or excess proceeds). To claim those funds you must prove you are the lawful person or entity entitled to them. Texas law that […]
Read article →How to Protect Life Insurance Proceeds When There Is No Named Beneficiary from Creditor Claims (TX)
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Texas, if a life insurance policy has no valid named beneficiary, the insurer will usually pay the proceeds to the insured's estate. Once the proceeds are part of the estate, they generally become available to pay the decedent’s creditors through the probate process. To protect life insurance proceeds from creditor […]
Read article →What should I do if an heir refuses to return estate property and the estate is still open? — TX
How to handle an heir who refuses to return estate property while the estate is still open State law focus: Texas probate and estate administration (general guidance only). Detailed Answer Short answer: If an heir is refusing to return estate property while the estate remains open, your best course is to work through the estate’s […]
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