How Long Do I Have to Probate a Will in Texas?
When a loved one dies and leaves property that has not already been transferred and received by a beneficiary, in order to distribute property according to a Will in Texas, a Will must first be admitted to probate. Probate is the process in which a court legally recognizes a person’s death and oversees the payment of a deceased person’s debts and the distribution of his or her assets. In Texas, state and local court rules govern the various time periods that an individual must follow in probating a will, but the general rule is that an individual has four (4) years from the date of the death of the decedent to initiate probate. If the will is not filed within the four (4) year statutory prescribed period, the laws of intestacy will govern how the decedent’s assets pass and will be distributed.
Under the laws of intestacy, the decedent and his estate will be treated as if the decedent died without a will. If the four (4) year statutory period has expired, Decedent’s will and its contents, including their specific wishes, will no longer control or be taken into consideration. Instead, Decedent’s property and assets will pass based on familial proximity. This means that a deceased’s spouse, children, parents, and siblings may all be eligible for certain percentages of the estate, depending upon what familial configuration existed at the time of the decedent’s death.
The primary reason for the four (4) year statute of limitation to probate a will is to protect subsequent purchasers of a decedent’s real property against claims of superior title. As such, the four (4) year statute of limitations period can only be defeated under very limited circumstances. This is determined on a case by case basis and holding a Will due to a family agreement or simply not knowing that a Will must be probated within four (4) years, is not a valid reason.
If you a concerned that a probate of your loved one’s estate might have been required and mistakenly not performed, or you would like to discuss the requirements to probate a will according to Texas law, the attorneys at Waldron & Schneider, PLLC are here to assist. For more information regarding Estate Planning, Probate Matters, or Real Estate, please see more posts and information on our website, or feel free to contact our offices directly.
The legal information in this blog entry is not intended to be a substitute for seeking personalized legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Further, nothing contained in this article is intended to create an attorney-client relationship with any reader. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and this firm. The article and website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Throw back Thursday. In 1998, the attorneys and staff of Waldron & Schneider broke ground at the current location. ... See MoreSee Less
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Partner Kimberly Bartley writes about why a business may need a risk assessment policy in her blog.
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Why do I need a Risk Assessment Policy?
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Risk Assessment Policies are a great tool to help business define areas of risk or vulnerability, both to their staff and customers.Partner Richard Simmons with his wife Jennifer and State Rep. Dennis Paul at the Space Center Rotary LEAP awards ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations to partner Richard Simmons’ son Jacob and the Lakers for winning the Clear Lake Boys Basketball 2023 Championship. ... See MoreSee Less
Associate Attorney Shawn Williamson and his wife Kim Williamson attended the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Annual Membership Banquet with Royal Harbor Partners Wealth Management Firm. The Economic Alliance brings together the industries main players and members of the Economic Alliance. Waldron and Schneider was honored represent the firm and it's commitment to the local economy and its businesses, small and large. ... See MoreSee Less