Where do I turn in a Small Estate Affidavit? SEAs must be filed in the court that has jurisdiction and venue over the estate. In Texas, this is usually the county where the decedent had a fixed place of residence and lived in at the time of death.
Once the affidavit is completed and notarized, it must be filed with the county clerk's office in Tarrant County.
The person who wants to serve as an executor (or an administrator) must apply with the court for letters testamentary (or letters of administration). Even if the will nominates an executor, they must still apply and go through the approval process.
It must be filed in the county clerk's office where the property is located. This will help establish a clear chain of title and allow the heirs to sell the property. Courts often have specific rules about small estate affidavits. Make sure to check any local requirements before you apply.
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.
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 ...
Ordinarily, an application to probate a will must be filed within four (4) years of the date of death of the decedent. Also, under normal circumstances, letters testamentary or letters of administration cannot be authorized more than four (4) years after the date of death of the decedent.
How is an executor appointed? The person who wants to serve as an executor (or an administrator) must apply with the court for letters testamentary (or letters of administration). Even if the will nominates an executor, they must still apply and go through the approval process.
There's no rule against people named in your will as beneficiaries being your executors. In fact, this is very common. A person under the age of 18 can be appointed as an executor in a will but won't be entitled to apply for probate until their 18th birthday.