If you don't have surviving parents, siblings (or their descendants) → Your estate is split equally between relatives on your mother's and father's side. If no relatives exist on either side → The estate escheats to the State of Texas, meaning the government takes ownership.
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.
An affidavit of heirship can be used to transfer title to real property when there are no debts of the estate and no administration is necessary. The affidavit must be signed by two disinterested witness who are familiar with the family history.
Cons. Asset limitations: TOD deeds are only applicable to real estate and cannot include other assets such as stocks, savings accounts, or personal possessions. State restrictions: TOD deeds aren't available in every state. Additionally, TOD deeds must be established in the state where the property is located.
Procedure — An Application for Determination of Heirship is filed with the court. The court then appoints an attorney ad litem for unknown heirs who will investigate the heirship facts of the decedent. After a hearing, the court will issue a Judgment Declaring Heirship which names the heirs of the estate.
Any interested party can file a petition asking to be appointed executor of the estate if there is no will. The executor or administrator must inform all parties, including creditors and beneficiaries, of their appointment and advise them to direct all questions to him or her.
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.
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 ...
In Texas, the surviving spouse and children will usually inherit all probate assets. If there are no children or grandchildren, the property may pass to the spouse, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and/or other heirs, depending on the situation. Intestacy laws don't apply to nonprobate property.