Introduction When it comes to giving gifts, we usually think of happy occasions like birthdays and Christmas. But what about when someone is nearing the end of their life? In Texas, there is a provision for what’s known as a Causa Mortis gift. This allows a person to give away property or possessions that they...KEEP READING

Legal Terminology In Limine hearing: A procedure that allows parties to exclude evidence from a jury Uninterested persons: Anyone who has a property right or claim against the estate being administered Probate Law Case Sheffield v. Scott, 620 S.W.2d 691, 693 (Tex. App. — Houston [14th Dist.] 1981, writ ref’d n.r.e.) Facts and Procedural History...KEEP READING

Introduction In Texas, probate courts have the authority to grant relief on matters that are not explicitly stated in the pleadings. This means that if there is an issue that arises during the course of probate proceedings, the court can take action to address it. Texas law gives the court broad powers to do whatever...KEEP READING

The “order of no administration” is one of the alternatives to a full probate. It is used when the estate has some assets, but the award of a family allowance would exceed the value of the assets. Since the family allowance is paid before nearly all other claims to the estate assets, there is no...KEEP READING

In Texas, administration of community property can be a legitimate alternative to probate. The determination of whether property is community property or separate property can be a complex matter and is often a source of controversy during the administration of an estate. In some cases the community property laws can be used to probate the...KEEP READING

In Texas, probate court is the venue in which family members, friends, and business associates can contest a will. The Texas Estates Code sets out rules for how the court should handle these disputes. You might be wondering, if evidence of past misconduct toward an estate can be admitted as evidence to prove undue influence....KEEP READING

Introduction Inheriting life insurance in Texas is a process that requires some understanding of the law. It can be confusing, but it’s important to know what to do if you are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of inheriting life insurance in Texas....KEEP READING

When a person dies, their estate must go through probate in order to be distributed to their heirs. In Texas, probate is handled by the court system, and there are certain rules and procedures that must be followed. One of the key aspects of probate is proving that the will is valid. In some cases,...KEEP READING

Introduction: Filing or Contesting a Will Texas Probate Court is the court in charge of handling the probate process for deceased persons who resided in Texas. This includes distributing their assets to heirs and resolving any debts or claims against the estate. The court also has jurisdiction over guardianship and conservatorship matters involving incapacitated adults...KEEP READING

In Texas, if a debtor dies before the judgment is satisfied, the judgment may be enforced against the estate in probate court. If you are a judgment creditor and the debtor dies, you must take action within a certain time frame to have the judgment enforced by the probate court. But must the judgment be...KEEP READING