A transfer on death deed (TODD) is a legal document that allows a person to transfer ownership of their property after they die. By using a TODD, a person can transfer the property directly without going through probate. This procedure can be used for real property like land, houses, buildings, etc.
The Texas affidavit of heirship form must be filled out and filed on behalf of a decedent's heir and can not be completed by the heir. Instead, two disinterested parties who know the necessary details about a decedent's family life need to fill out the form.
Once you complete the small estate affidavit and the affidavit of heirship, you must file them with the clerk of the court at the probate court in the county where the deceased was a resident.
Procedures: Please e-file all appropriate documents for your case with the Bexar County Probate Clerk's office, including Proposed Orders, Judgments, Affidavits of Heirship, and Proof of Death for review.
In Texas, bank accounts generally do not go through probate. This means that if you have a bank account in Texas, your loved ones will not have to go through the hassle and expense of Probate Court in order to access your account after you die.
The County Clerk only requires an Affidavit of Death to make the transfer effective. You do not need additional proof of death to take ownership. However, you must give the title company a death certificate, obituary, or other acceptable document if you want to sell the property or use it as collateral.
1. This form should be completed by someone other than an Heir. This person should be someone who is familiar with the family history of the deceased (decedent), and who will obtain no benefit from the Estate. The person who fills out the form is referred to as the “AFFIANT”.
An estate may be exempt from the probate process in certain circumstances. Under Texas Estates Code, Title 2, Chapter 205, an estate need not pass through the probate process if there is no will and the total value of the estate (not counting any homestead real estate owned by the Decedent) is $75,000 or less.