Decatur Texas Probate Law Blog

When settling the Texas estate of a recently deceased individual, someone needs to be in charge. There are many duties and obligations to address during probate administration, and it is important that those activities are handled correctly. This responsibility falls to the executor of the estate.

Commonly, an executor is a family member, attorney or financial professional who oversees the completion of probate. Before his or her passing, the testator has the ability to name a person to this position in the will. If the testator does not make this appointment, the court will consider available options and appoint a representative, which often falls to the surviving spouse or an adult child. The individual chosen must be ready to tackle the difficult process that is probate.

After the death of a loved one, there are often many assets that need addressing. In many cases, the decedent will have created estate planning documents that indicate how the assets should be distributed. Still, it is likely that probate administration will be needed before the property can be distributed or sold.

In particular, Texas residents may wonder how to handle an inherited house. This issue can be particularly tricky because individuals often do not know what steps need taking before they can place a deceased person's home for sale. If the property deed or title was placed into a trust then passed directly to a person, it is likely that probate or other legal proceedings are not necessary before possession can be taken and the property sold.

Earlier this month, Louisiana became the fifth state to adopt "granny cam" laws in skilled nursing facilities. It follows similar laws in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington and Texas.

After the influx of reports of elder abuse in recent years, guardians and other family members have sought a way to increase protection and accountability for their loved ones. Data suggests around 5 million residents suffer abuse in nursing homes each year.