Texas handles estates differently from most states. Knowing that in the first week saves families weeks of unnecessary worry later.
This page provides general information to help you get organized. It is not legal, medical, financial or mental-health advice. Requirements can depend on the estate and the circumstances, so consider confirming anything important with the relevant agency or a qualified professional.
Sleep, food, childcare, pets, medication. Nothing on any checklist matters more in the first day, and almost no paperwork is genuinely urgent.
A will, insurance policies, deeds, titles, recent statements, military discharge papers. Gathering them in one place removes most of the later scrambling.
Usually a named executor or personal representative, or a surviving spouse. Knowing who signs saves weeks of stalled requests.
Most organizations want a certified copy, not a photocopy. Ordering the right number at once is cheaper and faster than going back.
Social Security, employers, pensions, insurers, banks, utilities, landlords. Some can wait weeks. A short list has real deadlines.
Lock an empty home, redirect mail, stop autopay where it makes sense, and note which phones and email accounts hold everything else.
One list, ordered by what actually needs attention this week, shared with the people helping you so nothing is done twice.
Requirements can depend on the estate and the circumstances. Consider confirming the applicable process with the relevant state agency or a qualified professional.
Certified copies come from Texas Vital Statistics or the local registrar where the death occurred. Eligibility is restricted to qualified applicants, generally immediate family and legal representatives, for the first 25 years.
Most families end up needing somewhere between six and twelve certified copies. Life insurers, banks, pension plans and title transfers usually want their own.
State office for certified death certificates and ordering instructions.
Texas calls the person responsible an executor when a will names them, or an administrator when the court appoints one. Larger counties, including Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar and Travis, have dedicated statutory probate courts. Smaller counties handle probate in the constitutional county court.
Smaller estates may qualify for a small estate affidavit or a muniment of title instead of full administration.
The statute that governs how estates pass and how representatives are appointed.
Free plain-language explanations and court forms from Texas legal-aid organizations.
The Texas Comptroller holds unclaimed bank balances, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds and utility deposits. Searching a deceased person's name is free and often turns up small amounts nobody knew about.
Official Texas unclaimed property search, run by the Comptroller.
Texas Health and Human Services funds Area Agencies on Aging across the state. They help with benefits counselling, caregiver support and referrals, at no cost.
Dialing 211 anywhere in Texas connects you to community services: utility assistance, food, transportation, counselling referrals.
Regional offices for benefits counselling and caregiver support.
Statewide community-resource line, available at any hour.
Texas has one of the largest veteran populations in the country. The Texas Veterans Commission helps survivors with claims, and the VA administers burial benefits and national cemeteries in the state.
Free help for survivors filing VA benefit claims.
Eligibility, headstones, and national cemetery scheduling.
Bring your Texas questions: independent administration, muniment of title, or which county court applies.
Every step from the first 72 hours to the first two months, free to download.
OpenHarris County offices, courts and local starting points.
OpenDallas County offices, courts and local starting points.
OpenThis page provides general information to help you get organized. It is not legal, medical, financial or mental-health advice. Requirements can depend on the estate and the circumstances, so consider confirming anything important with the relevant agency or a qualified professional.