Standard Executor Compensation This is referred to as the five-and-five rule. However, there are limitations to this commission. It cannot exceed five percent of the gross fair market value of the estate being administered, and it is not applicable in certain situations.
Section 304.003 - Persons Disqualified To Serve As Executor Or Administrator (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person is not qualified to serve as an executor or administrator if the person is: (1) incapacitated; (2) a felon convicted under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States ...
If you would like the court to appoint an administrator of the estate, that application must generally be brought within four years after the death of the decedent. The court will often ignore this rule if there is property due to the estate that needs to be collected by an administrator.
The executor will then collect and distribute the estate property. This is almost always done with the help from an attorney. If there is no will, the personal representative is called an "administrator." If there is a will but the executor can't serve for any reason, the court will also appoint an administrator.
Executor's Role and Timeline for Asset Distribution. In Texas, an executor is given up to three years from their court appointment to distribute assets, excluding those allocated to creditors.
An estate beneficiary has a right to sue the executor or administrator if they are not competently doing their job or are engaged in fiduciary misconduct.
Texas law allows executors to sell property without the beneficiaries' approval, which can be necessary to keep the estate solvent. However, this authority comes with the responsibility of ensuring that the sale is conducted in the best interest of the estate.
When Is Probate Necessary in Texas? It's necessary to probate an estate in Texas if a person dies owning assets solely in their name. Whether or not a will exists is irrelevant. In Texas, full probate is required if the estate's value is greater than $75,000.
A Will does not convey title, possession, or property interest until admitted to probate. In Texas, a Will must generally be admitted to probate within 4 years of the decedent's death.