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ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àTransmutation€of€separate€property€into€community€property€by€agreement€ð"ð€if€the€votersÐ , ¨  Ðof€Texas€approve€a€constitutional€amendment€in€November€1999.Ð € €À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àThe€end€of€those€dreaded€$3€for€the€first€page,€$2€for€additional€pages€for€probate€courtÐ ´0  Ðfilings.ÐŒ €À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àA€new€procedure€for€obtaining€a€judicial€discharge€of€independent€executors.Ð<¸ €À!€À! ÐÌà  àThis€paper€discusses€some€of€the€key€changes.€€Attached€to€this€paper€as€appendices€are:Ð ìh ÐÌÔ*‹ƒEs'ddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#‹ÔÔ,Üdd ÔÔ,cdd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ $œœ „„$ÐAppendix€AÐ '|" „„'ÐThose€sections€of€the€Texas€Probate€Code€which€were€amended,€full„Ð | Ðtext,€showing€1999€changesÔ#†XëÈX %&[q7#ÔÔ‡&[ %XXëÈÔÐ 'ØT" „„'ÐAppendix€BÐ 'DÀ" „„'ÐThose€sections€of€the€Texas€Trust€Code€which€were€amended,€full„text,Ð DÀ Ðshowing€1999€changesÐ '˜" „„'ÐAppendix€CÐ 'ˆ" „„'ÐNew€statutory€form€for€medical€power€of€attorneyÐ 'ˆ" „„'ÐAppendix€DÐ 'ôp" „„'ÐNew€statutory€form€for€directive€to€physicians€and€family€or€surrogatesÐ 'ôp" „„'ÐAppendix€EÐ '`Ü" „„'ÐNew€statutory€form€for€declaration€of€guardian€for€minor€childrenÐ '`Ü" „„'ÐAppendix€FÐ 'ÌH " „„'ÐNew€statutory€affidavit€of€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô€formÐ 'ÌH!" „„'ÐAppendix€GÐ '8´"" „„'ÐNew€Ô_ÔSubchapterÔ_Ô€C€to€Chapter€4,€Family€CodeÐ"8´#"  "ÐÌà  àMuch€more€information€about€the€1999€legislative€session€and€its€effects€on€the€trust€and€probate€areaÐ !”$ Ðof€practice€can€be€found€at€the€authorððs€web€site,€Ô4‚4äÔÝ‚GÍOÝÔÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôhttp://www.texasprobate.comÔ62CÔÝ‚GÍOFC}ÝóóÔÿÔÝ  ÝÔ7htCÔ€.Ð ð!l% ÐÔ#†XëÈX %&[k>#ÔÌÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àòòò òLegislation€Affecting€Decedentsðð€Estates.Ô Ý -DÔó óóóÐ ´#0 ' ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òJudicial€Discharge€of€Independent€Executors.Ô eeôDÔó óóó€€HB€1852€establishes€a€new€procedure€forÐ Œ%") Ðobtaining€a€judicial€discharge€of€independent€executors.€€This€was€one€of€the€Real€Estate,€ProbateÐ x&ô"* Ðand€Trust€Law€Sectionððs€(ð ðÔ_ÔREPTLÔ_Ôððs)€top€priorities€for€this€session,€and€a€compromise€solutionÐ d'à#+ Ðworked€out€with€some€of€the€statutory€probate€judges€appears€to€give€the€section€virtually€everythingÐ P(Ì$, Ðit€wanted.Ð <)¸%- ÐÌà  àHB€1852€enacts€new€sections€149D€„„€149G.€Section€149D€requires€the€independent€executorÐ +'/ Ðto€distribute€all€of€the€estate€property,€except€for€"a€reasonable€reserve€of€assets€that€the€independentÐ ,|(0 Ðexecutor€may€retain€in€a€fiduciary€capacity€pending€court€approval€of€the€final€account."€€SectionÐ ì,h)1 Ð149E€authorizes€the€independent€executor€to€file€a€declaratory€judgment€action€seeking€to€dischargeÐ Ø-T*2 Ðthe€independent€executor€"from€any€liability€involving€matters€relating€to€the€past€administration€ofÐ Ä.@+3¾ Ðthe€estate€that€have€been€fully€and€fairly€disclosed."€€Section€149E€requires€notice€to€each€beneficiaryÐ „ Ð(unless€citation€is€waived)€and€authorizes€the€court€to€require€the€filing€of€a€final€account.€(Note€thatÐ pì Ðthe€legislation€would€not€require€the€filing€of€a€final€account€in€every€case,€just€if€the€court€asks€forÐ \Ø Ðit.€€If€no€beneficiary€objects,€presumably€the€court€would€have€no€reason€to€ask€for€the€accounting.€Ð HÄ ÐOf€course,€the€executor€may€decide€the€accounting€is€necessary€to€satisfy€the€"fully€and€fairlyÐ 4° Ðdisclosed"€requirement.)€€Section€149F€provides€for€the€payment€of€costs€associated€with€theÐ  œ Ðproceeding€from€the€estate€in€most€cases.Ð  ˆ ÐÌà  àHB€1852€makes€a€corresponding€change€to€the€declaratory€judgments€act€in€the€Civil€PracticesÐ ä ` Ðand€Remedies€Code.Ð Ð L  ÐÌà  àThe€new€judicial€discharge€provisions€apply€to€the€estates€of€decedents€dying€on€or€afterÐ ¨ $  ÐSeptember€1,€1999.€€It€will€be€interesting€to€see€if€the€courts€allow€the€procedure€to€be€used€forÐ ”  Ðestates€of€decedents€dying€prior€to€that€time.€Ð €ü  ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòNew€Citation€Requirements€for€Probate€Stale€Wills.Ô eeåNÔóóó ó€€HB€1852€enacts€new€Section€128BÐ XÔ  Ðof€the€Probate€Code.€€New€Section€128B€was€added€as€part€of€a€compromise€between€Ô_ÔREPTLÔ_Ô€andÐ DÀ Ðsome€of€the€statutory€probate€judges.€€In€1997,€legislation€backed€by€the€statutory€probate€judgesÐ 0¬ Ðenacted€Sections€89A€and€89B€and€renumbered€Section€89C€regarding€probating€a€will€as€aÐ ˜ Ðmuniment€of€title.€€While€the€legislative€history€of€the€1997€legislation€made€it€clear€that€noÐ „ Ðsubstantive€change€was€intended,€on€its€face€the€1997€legislation€called€into€question€the€ability€toÐ ôp Ðprobate€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€the€testatorððs€death.€€(Section€89BÐ à\ Ðrequired€proof€that€four€years€had€not€elapsed€since€the€testatorððs€death,€even€though€Section€73Ð ÌH Ðpermits€probate€of€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€death€in€some€cases.)Ð ¸4 ÐÌà  àIn€HB€1852€as€originally€introduced,€Ô_ÔREPTLÔ_Ô€tried€to€clear€up€the€confusion€caused€by€the€1997Ð   Ðlegislation,€but€some€probate€judges€opposed€the€clean„up€effort,€jeopardizing€HB€1852.€€As€aÐ |ø Ðcompromise,€the€probate€lawyers€group€agreed€to€the€addition€of€Section€128B€to€HB€1852€whileÐ hä Ðdropping€the€Section€89A€and€89B€clean„up€effort.Ð TÐ ÐÌà  àNew€Section€128B€sets€forth€new€citation€rules€when€a€will€is€to€be€probated€more€than€fourÐ ,¨ Ðyears€after€the€testatorððs€death.€€It€requires€notice€to€the€testatorððs€heirs€(or,€if€a€prior€will€wasÐ  ” Ðprobated,€to€the€beneficiaries€under€the€prior€will)€of€an€attempt€to€probate€a€will€more€than€fourÐ !€  Ðyears€after€the€testatorððs€death.€€Section€128B€makes€no€sense€unless€it€is€still€possible€to€probate€aÐ ð!l! Ðwill€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€the€testatorððs€death,€so€the€probate€lawyersÐ Ü"X" Ðindirectly€have€accomplished€one€of€their€purposes€ð"ð€assuring€that€the€1997€legislation€did€not€takeÐ È#D # Ðaway€that€possibility.€€In€so€doing,€however,€Ô_ÔREPTLÔ_Ô€had€to€accept€this€new€citation€requirementÐ ´$0!$ Ðwhen€probating€stale€wills.Ð  %"% ÐÌSection€128B€applies€to€the€estates€of€persons€dying€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.€€That€means€itÐ x'ô#' Ðwill€not€apply€to€attempts€to€probate€a€stale€will€until€at€least€September€1,€2003.€€The€law€in€effectÐ d(à$( Ðprior€to€the€enactment€of€Section€128B€(which€did€not€include€the€new€citation€rules)€applies€toÐ P)Ì%) Ðpersons€dying€prior€to€September€1,€1999.Ð <*¸&* ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚcÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòAffidavit€of€Ô_ÔHeirshipÔ_Ô€Form.Ô ee¾ZÔóóó ó€€SB€1106€enacted€€new€Section€52A,€setting€forth€a€permissiveÐ ,(, Ð(not€mandatory)€form€for€affidavit€of€facts€concerning€identity€of€heirs€which€can€be€filed€for€recordÐ -|)- Ðand€used€as€prima€facie€evidence€of€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô€under€Section€52.€€The€form€is€attached€as€AppendixÐ „ ÐF.€€The€new€form€is€for€use€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.Ð pì ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòChild€Support€Claims€Given€Priority€in€Decedentsðð€Estates.Ô ee1]Ôó óóó€€HB€1348€gives€ð ðClass€4"Ð HÄ Ðpriority€to€ð ðclaims€for€the€principal€amount€of€and€accrued€interest€on€delinquent€child€support€andÐ 4° Ðchild€support€Ô_ÔarrearagesÔ_Ô€that€have€been€confirmed€and€reduced€to€money€judgment,€as€determinedÐ  œ Ðunder€Ô_ÔSubchapterÔ_Ô€F,€Chapter€157,€Family€Code.ðð€€This€puts€them€below€funeral€expenses,€last€illnessÐ  ˆ Ðexpenses,€administrative€expenses€and€secured€claims€for€money.Ð ø t ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚeÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòOther€Decedentsðð€Estates€Legislation.Ô  #`Ôó óóó€€Among€the€other€provisions€enacted€in€1999Ð Ð L  Ðaffecting€decedentsðð€estates€are€the€following:Ð ¼ 8  ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1852€Ô_ÔadopsÔ_Ô€new€Sections€221A€and€221B€to€permit€the€designation€of€a€newÐ ”  Ðresident€agent€and€the€resignation€of€a€resident€agent,€respectively,€for€a€nonresident€personalÐ €ü  Ðrepresentatives.Ð lè  ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1852€makes€Probate€Code€Section€270€consistent€with€recent€changes€permittingÐ DÀ Ðhome€equity€loans.Ð 0¬ ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiiiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1136€cleans€up€the€1997€change€extending€the€ð ðfreeðð€probate€filing€period€fromÐ „ Ð90€days€after€the€application€is€filed€to€120€days.Ð ôp ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚivÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1142€authorizes€county€clerks€to€dispense€with€keeping€ð ðprobate€minutesðð€and€toÐ ÌH Ðkeep€virtually€everything€electronically.Ð ¸4 ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚvÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1660€cleans€up€provisions€regarding€closing€estates.Ð   ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚviÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1661€cleans€up€provisions€regarding€neglecting€to€file€a€final€account.Ð hä ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚviiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1176€requires€the€original€signatures€of€the€clerk€and€judge€on€exemplified€probateÐ @¼ Ðrecords€filed€under€Section€95€of€the€Probate€Code€(foreign€probate).Ð ,¨ ÐÌÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àòòò òLegislation€Affecting€Guardianships,€867€Trusts€and€142€Trusts.Ô  “hÔó óóóÐ !€  ÐÌà  àà € àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àòòò òRestoration€of€the€Ward.Ô  yiÔóóó ó€€HB€1663€establishes€procedures€for€hearings€to€determineÐ Ü"X" Ðif€a€guardianship€should€be€terminated€and€a€wardððs€rights€restored.€€Prior€to€the€1999€change,Ð È#D # ÐSection€694A€provided€that€a€ward€or€any€person€interested€in€the€wardððs€welfare€may€petition€theÐ ´$0!$ Ðcourt€for€a€finding€that€the€ward€no€longer€needs€the€guardianship€or€that€the€ward€has€regained€theÐ  %"% Ðcapacity€to€do€some,€but€not€all,€of€the€tasks€required€for€full€capacity.€€However,€the€prior€statuteÐ Œ&#& Ðdid€not€provide€answers€for€such€important€issues€as€the€burden€of€proof€and€the€standard€of€proofÐ x'ô#' Ðrequired.Ð d(à$( ÐÌà  àHB€1663€fills€in€most€of€the€gaps€in€the€restoration€of€the€ward€proceeding.€€It€provides€for€theÐ <*¸&* Ðappointment€of€an€attorney€ad€litem€and/or€guardian€ad€litem,€places€the€burden€of€proof€on€the€partyÐ (+¤'+ Ðseeking€restoration,€and€sets€the€standard€of€proof€at€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€(not€the€clearÐ ,(, Ðand€convincing€evidence€standard€needed€to€set€up€a€guardianship€in€the€first€place).€€The€bill€barsÐ -|)- Ðthe€filing€of€restoration€suits€more€frequently€than€once€per€year.Ð „ ÐÌà  àAll€in€all,€HB€1663€is€a€welcome€addition€to€Texasððs€guardianship€provisions.€€However,€thereÐ \Ø Ðis€one€potentially€serious€problem€with€HB€1663:€The€bill€also€amends€Section€642€of€the€ProbateÐ HÄ ÐCode€to€provide€that€a€person€who€has€an€interest€that€is€adverse€to€a€ð ðproposed€ward€orÐ 4° Ðincapacitated€personðð€may€not€ð ðcontest€an€application€for€complete€restoration€of€a€wardððs€capacityÐ  œ Ðor€modification€of€a€wardððs€guardianship.ðð€€At€first€glance,€this€seems€to€make€sense€ð"ð€Section€642Ð  ˆ Ðbars€persons€with€adverse€interests€from€participating€in€proceedings€to€appoint€guardians,€so€whyÐ ø t Ðshouldnððt€such€persons€be€barred€from€participating€in€proceedings€to€restore€a€ward?€€The€problemÐ ä ` Ðis€that€the€guardian€almost€always€will€have€some€interest€which€is€adverse€(or€potentially€adverse)Ð Ð L  Ðto€the€ward,€so€the€guardian€may€be€barred€from€contesting€the€restoration.€€This€could€be€horrible,Ð ¼ 8  Ðsince€in€many€cases€the€guardian€may€be€the€only€person€with€knowledge€of€the€wardððs€continuingÐ ¨ $  Ðneed€for€a€guardianship€and€the€only€person€in€a€position€to€advocate€for€the€continued€guardianship.€Ð ”  ÐI€testified€on€this€bill€at€the€Senate€Jurisprudence€Committee,€and€the€senators€indicated€that€theÐ €ü  Ðlegislature€did€not€intend€to€bar€guardians€from€participating€in€restoration€proceedings€simplyÐ lè  Ðbecause€they€serve€as€guardian€and€have€inherent€conflicts.€€This€legislative€history€may€be€helpfulÐ XÔ  Ðif,€as€I€expect,€proponents€in€a€restoration€proceeding€always€try€to€knock€out€the€guardian€as€aÐ DÀ Ðparticipant€in€the€hearing.Ð 0¬ ÐÌà  àHB€1663€takes€effect€September€1,€1999,€and€applies€to€restoration€proceedings€begun€after€thatÐ „ Ðdate,€but€the€bill€contains€a€mechanism€for€ongoing€restoration€proceedings€to€opt€into€the€new€rules.Ð ôp ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòAttorney€Ad€Litem€Certification.Ô ñmwÔóóó ó€€HB€919€changes€the€certification€rules€for€court„Ð ÌH Ðappointed€attorneys€in€guardianship€proceedings.€€The€bill€enacts€new€Section€647A,€which€requiresÐ ¸4 Ðòòall€óócourt„appointed€attorneys€in€a€guardianship€proceeding€(not€just€attorney€ad€Ô_ÔlitemsÔ_Ô)€to€beÐ ¤  Ðcertified,€€requires€a€òòthree„óóhour€certification€course€(not€four€as€used€to€be€the€case),€and€makesÐ   Ðrenewal€certificates€be€good€for€òòfouróó€years,€not€two,€if€the€attorney€has€been€certified€for€four€yearsÐ |ø Ðin€a€row.€€The€new€rules€take€effect€September€1,€1999.Ð hä ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚcÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòProbable€Cause€for€Court„Initiated€Guardianship€Proceedings.Ô ñ·zÔóóó ó€€HB€2165€permits€theÐ @¼ Ðcourt€to€require€an€information€letter€or€physicianððs€certificate€to€establish€probable€cause€beforeÐ ,¨ Ðappointing€a€guardian€ad€litem€or€court€investigator€to€see€if€a€guardianship€is€necessary.€€This€willÐ  ” Ðenable€the€court€to€avoid€the€expense€and€hassle€of€an€investigation€just€because€the€neighbor€callsÐ !€  Ðand€says€so„and„so€is€crazy.€€In€such€a€case,€the€judge€can€decide€to€do€nothing€unless€the€neighborÐ ð!l! Ðgives€a€detailed€information€letter€about€the€alleged€incapacitated€person.€€HB€2165€also€makes€itÐ Ü"X" Ðclear€that€a€guardian€of€the€person€can€file€his€or€her€report€under€Section€743€without€the€assistanceÐ È#D # Ðof€a€lawyer.Ð ´$0!$ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òOther€Guardianship€Legislation.Ô ñ ~Ôóóó ó€€Among€the€other€guardianship€provisions€enacted€inÐ Œ&#& Ð1999€are€the€following:Ð x'ô#' ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€1662€cleans€up€provisions€regarding€investment€of€guardianship€assets.Ð P)Ì%) ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àIn€order€to€prevent€a€gap€in€protection,€HB€2164€permits€filing€for€a€guardianship€forÐ (+¤'+ Ða€minor€who,€because€of€incapacity,€will€need€a€guardianship€after€attaining€age€18,€prior€to€his€orÐ ,(, Ðher€eighteenth€birthday.Ð -|)- Їà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiiiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€2166€provides€for€the€appointment€of€a€family€member€or€friend€to€replace€aÐ „ Ðgovernmental€entity€€or€guardianship€program€serving€as€guardian.€€This€will€make€it€easier€to€getÐ pì Ða€family€member€or€friend€in€as€guardian€and€a€governmental€entity€or€guardianship€program€out€asÐ \Ø Ðguardian€in€appropriate€cases.Ð HÄ ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚivÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€2795€requires€the€name€of€the€proposed€guardian€or€temporary€guardian€to€beÐ  œ Ðincluded€in€citation€of€a€guardianship€action€if€the€proposed€guardian€or€temporary€guardian€is€notÐ  ˆ Ðalso€the€applicant.€€The€bill€also€requires€the€temporary€guardian€to€appear€in€court€if€the€applicantÐ ø t Ðis€not€the€temporary€guardian.Ð ä ` ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚvÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€3337€deletes€unnecessary€references€to€missing€persons.Ð ¼ 8  ÐÌà  àà € àÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚviÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà è àHB€3338€changes€the€statutory€form€for€declaration€of€appointment€of€guardian€forÐ ”  Ðminor€children€(Probate€Code€Section€677A)€so€that€the€declarant€may€specify€whether€or€not€theyÐ €ü  Ðwish€for€the€designated€person(s)€to€serve€with€or€without€bond.€€The€new€form€is€attached€asÐ lè  ÐAppendix€E.Ð XÔ  ÐÌÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àòòò òLegislation€Affecting€Probate€Court€Jurisdiction€and€Transfer€Powers.Ô ñNˆÔó óóó€€Ð 0¬ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òConsolidating€the€Transfer€Power€of€Statutory€Probate€Courts.Ô ñ0‰Ôó óóó€After€several€years€ofÐ „ Ðconfusion€in€the€courts,€and€after€attempts€both€to€expand€and€constrict€the€power€of€statutoryÐ ôp Ðprobate€courts€to€transfer€cases€in€the€1997€legislative€session,€the€advocates€of€strong€transfer€powerÐ à\ Ðhad€a€field€day€in€the€76òòthóó€Legislature.Ð ÌH ÐÌà  àMost€of€the€large€urban€counties€in€Texas€ð"ð€Harris,€Dallas,€Ô_ÔBexarÔ_Ô,€Tarrant,€El€Paso,€Travis,Ð ¤  ÐGalveston€and€Denton€ð"ð€have€specialty€probate€courts.€€These€ð ðstatutory€probate€courtsðð€haveÐ   Ðgreater€authority€than€other€courts€hearing€probate€cases€in€the€state.€€For€example,€these€courts€canÐ |ø Ðhear€trust€cases,€while€ð ðconstitutional€county€courtsðð€and€ð ðcounty€courts€at€lawðð€may€not.€€One€ofÐ hä Ðthe€most€significant€special€powers€these€courts€have€is€found€in€Sections€5B€and€608€of€the€ProbateÐ TÐ ÐCode€ð"ð€the€power€to€transfer€a€case€pending€in€another€court€to€the€probate€court€without€theÐ @¼ Ðtransferring€courtððs€permission.€€This€ð ðreach€out€and€touchðð€jurisdiction€was€intended€to€promote€theÐ ,¨ Ðefficient€administration€of€estates€ð"ð€why€should€a€whole€probate€proceeding€be€held€up€while€a€caseÐ  ” Ðinvolving€the€estate€drags€on€in€some€district€court€somewhere€when€the€probate€court€could€hearÐ !€  Ðit€quickly€and€efficiently?Ð ð!l! ÐÌà  àThe€5B/608€transfer€power€has€been€the€source€of€much€litigation€in€the€past€8€years€or€so.€€InÐ È#D # ÐÔ_ÔInÔ_Ô€1997,€a€floor€amendment€late€in€the€session€added€the€following€to€the€definition€of€ð ðappertainingÐ ´$0!$ Ðto€estatesðð€in€Section€5A€of€the€Texas€Probate€Code:€ð ð;€all€such€suits,€actions,€and€applications€areÐ  %"% Ðappertaining€to€and€incident€to€an€estate€for€the€purposes€of€this€section.ðð€€The€purpose€of€the€1997Ð Œ&#& Ðchange€was€to€bring€suits€by€or€against€a€personal€representative€within€the€ð ðappertaining€to€estatesððÐ x'ô#' Ðdefinition€so€the€Section€5B€transfer€power€would€apply.€€While€the€decision€in€òòÔ_ÔGreathouseÔ_Ô€v.Ð d(à$( ÐMcConnell,óó€982€S.€W.€2d€165€(Text€App.€ð"ð€Houston€[1òòstóó€Dist.]€1998,€writ€denied),€went€a€long€wayÐ P)Ì%) Ðto€resolving€the€construction€of€the€1997€amendment€in€favor€of€an€expansion€of€the€transfer€power,Ð <*¸&* Ðthree€problems€remained€from€1997:Ð (+¤'+ ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àThe€1997€change€to€Section€5A€only€affected€decedentsðð€estates€ð"ð€what€aboutÐ -|)- Ðguardianships?Є€À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àWhat€in€the€heck€does€ð ðfor€the€purposes€of€this€sectionðð€mean€in€the€1997€amendment?Ð\Ø€À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àWhat€about€third€party€claims€ð"ð€can€they€be€transferred€along€with€a€case€ð ðby€orÐ 4° Ðagainstðð€the€personal€representative?Ð œ€À!€À! ÐÌà  àThe€1999€legislation€resolves€all€three€of€these€questions,€and€it€does€so€precisely€how€theÐ ø t Ðproponents€of€broad€probate€court€jurisdiction€could€wish:Ð ä ` ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àHB€778€deletes€the€confusing€ð ðfor€purposes€of€this€sectionðð€language€from€Section€5B,Ð ¼ 8  Ðas€well€as€making€other€clarifying€amendments€to€Section€5A.Ш $ €À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àHB€777€makes€corresponding€changes€to€Section€607,€in€effect€making€the€sameÐ €ü  Ðtransfer€rules€apply€in€both€decedentsðð€estates€and€guardianships.Ðlè €À!€À! ÐÌà8  àððà0€À!À!àHB€2580€amends€Section€5B€and€Section€608,€providing€that€statutory€probate€courtsÐ DÀ Ðmay€transfer€any€case€in€which€the€personal€representative€or€guardian€is€a€party,Ð 0¬ Ðmaking€it€clear€that€third€party€actions€can€be€transferred€along€with€the€case€ð ðby€orÐ ˜ Ðagainstðð€the€estate€or€guardianship.Є€À!€À! ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòGiving€Statutory€Probate€Courts€a€Priority€in€Section€5(b)€Transfers.Ô €oÙšÔó óóó€€Prior€to€the€1999Ð à\ Ðlegislation,€Section€5(b)€(thatððs€five€little€b,€not€five€BIG€B)€required€a€constitutional€county€courtÐ ÌH Ðjudge€to€either€transfer€a€contested€probate€proceeding€to€the€district€court€or€ask€the€presidingÐ ¸4 Ðstatutory€probate€judge€to€assign€a€statutory€probate€judge€to€hear€the€contested€matter.€€The€law€wasÐ ¤  Ðsilent€on€which€method€is€preferred€and€on€how€the€decision€is€made.€€HB€1607€added€the€followingÐ   Ðto€Section€5(b):€€Ð |ø ÐÌà8  àIf€the€judge€of€the€county€court€has€not€transferred€a€contested€probate€matter€to€the€districtÐ TÐ Ðcourt€at€the€time€a€party€files€a€motion€for€assignment€of€a€statutory€probate€court€judge,€theÐ @¼ Ðcounty€judge€shall€grant€the€motion€and€may€not€transfer€the€matter€to€district€court€unlessÐ ,¨ Ðthe€party€withdraws€the€motion.€A€statutory€probate€court€judge€assigned€to€a€contestedÐ  ” Ðprobate€matter€as€provided€by€this€subsection€has€for€that€matter€the€jurisdiction€andÐ !€  Ðauthority€granted€to€a€statutory€probate€court€by€Sections€5A€and€5B€of€this€code.€Ðð!l!À!À! ÐÌà  àThis€would€appear€to€give€the€contestant/defendant€an€advantage€when€it€comes€to€forumÐ È#D # Ðselection.€€Consider€this€example:€When€the€applicant€files€a€will€for€probate,€it€is€not€a€"contestedÐ ´$0!$ Ðmatter"€unless€and€until€a€contest€is€filed.€€If€the€contestant€wants€a€statutory€probate€judge€assigned,Ð  %"% Ðhe€or€she€can€ask€for€this€at€the€time€the€answer€is€filed,€thus€tying€the€local€judge's€hands.€€In€thisÐ Œ&#& Ðexample,€there's€no€way€to€head€off€such€a€motion.€€Perhaps€the€applicant€could€file€a€protectiveÐ x'ô#' Ðmotion€to€transfer,€in€effect€saying,€ð ðif€there's€a€contest,€I€want€a€statutory€probate€judge€to€hear€theÐ d(à$( Ðcase.ðð€€At€any€rate,€there's€certainly€now€a€premium€on€speed.Ð P)Ì%) ÐÌà  àIf€there's€a€race€between€the€parties€on€the€transfer/assignment€issue,€note€that€the€bill€is€tied€toÐ (+¤'+ Ðthe€òòactual€transferóó€of€the€case€to€the€district€court,€not€the€filing€of€a€motion€to€transfer€it€there.€Ð ,(, ÐThus,€if€a€party€wants€it€transferred€to€the€district€court,€it€almost€has€to€ex€parte€the€judge€and€askÐ -|)- Ðhim€or€her€to€transfer€it€immediately€„„€if€a€hearing€on€the€motion€to€transfer€to€district€court€is€set,Ð „ Ðthe€other€side€will€have€a€chance€to€file€a€motion€for€assignment€to€a€statutory€probate€court,Ð pì Ðrendering€the€motion€to€transfer€moot.Ð \Ø ÐÌà  àObviously,€this€will€mean€that€more€contested€probate€matters€get€heard€by€statutory€probateÐ 4° Ðjudges€„„€not€a€bad€result,€considering€that€the€whole€point€of€having€statutory€probate€judges€is€toÐ  œ Ðhave€judges€experienced€in€probate€matters€hearing€probate€cases.€€This€bill€is€likely€to€adverselyÐ  ˆ Ðaffect€the€budgets€of€small€counties,€however,€since€the€county€apparently€bears€most€or€all€of€theÐ ø t Ðcost€of€having€a€statutory€probate€judge€hear€a€case.€Ð ä ` ÐÌà  àThe€second€sentence€to€be€added€to€Section€5(b)€is€significant.€€The€statutory€probate€judgeÐ ¼ 8  Ðhearing€the€case€now€brings€his€or€her€bag€of€jurisdictional€tricks€to€the€county€when€he€or€she€hearsÐ ¨ $  Ðthe€case.€€This€will€enable€the€court€to€hear€ancillary€matters€which€the€constitutional€county€courtÐ ”  Ðlacked€jurisdiction€to€hear.€€It€also€will€allow€the€court€to€make€Section€5B€transfers€to€the€court.Ð €ü  ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚcÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòOutbound€Transfers€from€Statutory€Probate€Courts.Ô €o˜ªÔóóó ó€€HB€1605€permits€statutory€probateÐ XÔ  Ðcourts€to€transfer€cases€to€other€courts€when€they€lose€jurisdiction.€€HB€1605€is€effective€SeptemberÐ DÀ Ð1,€1999.Ð 0¬ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòMulti„County€Statutory€Probate€Courts.Ô €o¬Ôó óóó€€SB€1001€amends€Chapter€25€of€the€GovernmentÐ „ ÐCode€to€permit€counties€to€band€together€to€form€Ô_ÔmulticountyÔ_Ô€statutory€probate€courts.€€ThisÐ ôp Ðlegislation€is€a€good€idea€conceptually,€but€it€requires€the€counties€to€agree€on€splitting€the€cost€ofÐ à\ Ðthe€court.€€District€courts€are€funded€by€the€state,€so€Ô_ÔmulticountyÔ_Ô€district€courts€are€easier€to€stomachÐ ÌH Ðfor€rural€counties.€€It€remains€to€be€seen€if€a€county€will€be€willing€to€pay€a€portion€of€the€cost€forÐ ¸4 Ða€statutory€probate€court€while€facing€the€possibility€that€the€judge€will€not€be€a€resident€of€theÐ ¤  Ðcounty.€Ð   ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚeÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòProbate€Masters.Ô €oȯÔóóó ó€€For€the€last€few€sessions,€legislation€permitting€statutory€probate€courtsÐ hä Ðto€employ€masters€to€hear€probate€cases€has€failed.€€This€session€the€probate€mastersðð€bill€(SB€294)Ð TÐ Ðmade€it€into€law.Ð @¼ ÐÌà  àThe€masters€bill€is€modeled€on€family€court€masters.€€It€places€the€burden€on€a€countyððsÐ  ” Ðcommissionersðð€court€to€decide€whether€or€not€to€fund€masters.€€The€Dallas€County€lobbyistsÐ !€  Ðapparently€are€paid€to€keep€the€burden€to€make€such€decisions€off€of€the€Dallas€CountyÐ ð!l! ÐCommissionersðð€Court€ð"ð€they€insisted€that€the€bill€have€a€provision€in€it€saying€it€is€inapplicableÐ Ü"X" Ðto€Dallas€County€statutory€probate€courts.Ð È#D # ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚfÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòHarris€County€Probate€Court€Assignments.Ô €oy³Ôóóó ó€€HB€3854€changes€the€way€in€which€probateÐ  %"% Ðcases€are€allocated€among€the€various€statutory€probate€courts€of€Harris€County,€presumably€to€makeÐ Œ&#& Ðforum„shopping€a€little€harder€to€do.Ð x'ô#' ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚgÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòNo€More€Pseudo„Statutory€Probate€Court€Jurisdiction€for€Ô_ÔNuecesÔ_Ô€County.Ô €oµÔóóó ó€€SB€1150€getsÐ P)Ì%) Ðrid€of€the€special€probate€jurisdiction€of€the€Ô_ÔNuecesÔ_Ô€County€courts€at€law.€€Ô_ÔNuecesÔ_Ô€County€has€noÐ <*¸&* Ðstatutory€probate€court,€but€it€had€a€special€jurisdictional€statute€giving€each€of€its€county€courts€atÐ (+¤'+ Ðlaw€the€jurisdiction€of€a€statutory€probate€court.€€That€no€longer€is€the€case,€effective€September€1,Ð ,(, Ð1999.Ð -|)- ЇÌÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àòòò òLegislation€Affecting€Trusts.Ô €oä·Ôó óóóÐ pì ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òTrust€Venue€Changes.Ô €oœ¸Ôóóó ó€€We€have€new€venue€rules€for€litigation€involving€trusts.€€The€newÐ HÄ Ðvenue€rules€were€in€the€huge€Interstate€Banking€Bill€(HB€2066€by€Rep.€Ô_ÔMarchantÔ_Ô)€and€in€aÐ 4° Ðstandalone€bill€„„€HB€2317€by€Rep.€Ô_ÔHartnettÔ_Ô.€€The€venue€provisions€of€both€bills€are€identical,€andÐ  œ Ðboth€passed.Ð  ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€new€venue€rules€introduce€the€concept€of€"the€situs€of€administration€of€the€trust,"€ratherÐ ä ` Ðthan€relying€solely€on€the€residence€of€the€trustee€or€the€principal€office€of€a€corporate€trustee.€€"SitusÐ Ð L  Ðof€administration"€is€defined€as€"the€location€in€this€state€where€the€trustee€maintains€an€office€thatÐ ¼ 8  Ðis€primarily€responsible€for€dealing€with€the€settlor€and€beneficiaries€of€the€trust."€€The€definitionÐ ¨ $  Ðalso€states€that€the€"situs€of€administration€may€also€be€but€is€not€necessarily€the€same€as€theÐ ”  Ðprincipal€office€of€a€corporate€trustee."Ð €ü  ÐÌà  àThese€bills€make€additional€changes€to€Tex.€Trust€Code€Sec.€115.002,€but€the€gist€of€the€changesÐ XÔ  Ðis€that€a€disgruntled€trust€beneficiary€who€has€all€of€his€or€her€dealings€with€the€trustee€in€a€remoteÐ DÀ Ðoffice€(for€example,€McAllen)€is€not€required€to€bring€the€suit€in€the€county€where€the€trustee'sÐ 0¬ Ðprincipal€office€is€located€(for€example,€Dallas).Ð ˜ ÐÌà  àThe€new€trust€venue€rules€take€effect€September€1,€1999.Ð ôp ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòNonjudicial€Virtual€Representation.Ô is”¿Ôó óóó€€òòò òó óóóHB€1475€permits€the€trustee€to€obtain€approval€ofÐ ÌH Ðvarious€actions€via€nonjudicial€virtual€representation.€€Texas€law€has€long€permitted€trustÐ ¸4 Ðbeneficiaries€with€identical€interests€to€contingent€remaindermen€to€bind€such€remaindermen€inÐ ¤  Ðjudicial€proceedings€through€the€doctrine€of€virtual€representation.€€HB€1475€takes€this€a€step€further,Ð   Ðpermitting€the€trustee€to€obtain€binding€agreements€with€beneficiaries€which€will€bind€remaindermenÐ |ø Ðwithout€the€need€for€a€court€proceeding.€€New€Section€114.032€provides€that€a€written€agreementÐ hä Ðbetween€a€trustee€and€a€beneficiary,€including€a€release,€consent,€or€other€agreement€relating€the€aÐ TÐ Ðtrusteeððs€duty,€power,€responsibility,€restriction,€or€liability,€is€ð ðfinal€and€bindingðð€on€a€beneficiaryÐ @¼ Ðand€ð ðany€person€represented€by€a€beneficiaryðð€if€the€conditions€stated€in€the€statute€are€met.€€TheÐ ,¨ Ðstatute€requires€the€beneficiary€to€have€ð ðfull€knowledge€of€the€circumstances€surrounding€theÐ  ” Ðagreementðð€for€the€agreement€to€be€binding.Ð !€  Ѐ€Ð ð!l! Ðà  àThe€new€virtual€representation€provision€seems€very€broad,€and€the€potential€for€trustee€abuseÐ Ü"X" Ðseems€great,€but€it€does€contain€the€following€limitation:Ð È#D # ÐÌà8  àThis€section€does€not€apply€to€a€written€instrument€that€modifies€or€terminates€a€trust€inÐ  %"% Ðwhole€or€in€part€unless€the€instrument€is€otherwise€permitted€by€law.ÐŒ&#&À!À! ÐÌSince€it€cannot€be€used€for€modifications€and€terminations,€I€believe€the€most€popular€use€will€beÐ d(à$( Ðto€close€the€book€on€relatively€minor€trustee€malfeasance.€€Consider€this€hypo:Ð P)Ì%) ÐÌà8  àBig€Bank€is€trustee€of€a€trust.€€The€trust€instrument€prohibits€investment€in€foreignÐ (+¤'+ Ðsecurities.€€Through€an€oversight,€Big€Bank€had€invested€in€offshore€stocks.€€When€itÐ ,(, Ðdiscovers€its€error,€it€sells€the€stock,€calculates€any€damages€which€resulted€from€theÐ -|)- Ðimproper€investments,€and€pays€back€the€trust€for€the€damages€it€calculated.€€Without€theÐ „ Ðnew€statute,€Big€Bank€could€disclose€to€the€current€adult€beneficiaries€and€obtain€a€releaseÐ pì Ðfrom€them,€but€nothing€short€of€a€court€action€(such€as€a€suit€to€settle€its€interim€accounts)Ð \Ø Ðcould€bind€Ô_ÔunbornsÔ_Ô.€€Now,€with€the€new€statute,€Big€Bank€can€make€an€adequate€disclosure,Ð HÄ Ðobtain€releases€from€the€adult€beneficiaries€and,€assuming€their€interests€are€virtuallyÐ 4° Ðrepresented,€bind€Ô_ÔunbornsÔ_Ô.ò òòòÐ œÀ!À! ÐÌà  àóóó óÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚcÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôò òòòà € àDelegation€of€Investment€Authority€by€Trustee.Ô €Ô³ËÔó óóó€€HB€1475€authorizes€trustees€to€employÐ ô p Ðinvestment€agents€(Tex.€Trust€Code€ðð€113.018)€delegate€investment€decisions€(new€SectionÐ à \ Ð113.060).€€The€banking/trust€company€lobby€has€been€after€this€authority€for€two€sessions€now,€andÐ Ì H  ÐHB€1475€represents€a€compromise€struck€between€the€probate€lawyers€and€the€bankers.Ð ¸ 4  ÐÌà  àAs€with€many€compromises,€the€delegation€of€authority€provision€has€ended€up€being€somewhatÐ   Ðunattractive€both€from€the€trusteeððs€perspective€and€the€probate€lawyersðð€perspective.€€The€billÐ |ø  Ðprovides€that€the€trustee€remains€responsible€for€the€investment€decisions€of€the€agent€unless€heÐ hä  Ðmeets€strenuous€criteria,€such€as€exercising€appropriate€judgment€and€care€in€selecting€the€agent€andÐ TÐ  Ðassuring€that€the€agent€is€subject€to€the€jurisdiction€of€Texas€courts,€is€subject€to€the€trustÐ @¼ Ðmanagement€and€investment€standards€under€Texas€law€and€assumes€responsibility€for€failing€toÐ ,¨ Ðfollow€that€standard.Ð ” ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòThe€Failed€Charitable€Beneficiary€Bill.Ô €ÔêÐÔóóó ó€€HB€115€permits€the€nonjudicial€change€of€aÐ ðl Ðcharitable€beneficiary€in€some€cases.€€As€originally€proposed,€HB€115€would€have€permittedÐ ÜX Ðnonjudicial€designation€of€successor€charitable€beneficiaries€(in€cases€where€the€named€charityÐ ÈD Ðceases€to€exist,€for€example)€with€the€settlor's€consent€which€did€not€have€the€same€or€similarÐ ´0 Ðpurpose€as€the€named€charity.€€The€attorney€general€negotiated€that€out€of€the€bill,€so€that€the€newÐ   Ðcharity€must€have€a€same€or€similar€purpose€even€if€the€settlor€agrees.€€However,€and€almostÐ Œ Ðinexplicably,€the€language€agreed€to€by€the€AG€permits€the€trustee/trust€to€recover€attorneys€fees€andÐ xô Ðcosts€from€the€AG€if€the€AG€unreasonably€objects€to€the€charity€selected€by€the€trustee.€€If€thisÐ dà Ðdoesn't€seem€to€make€sense,€don't€worry€about€it€„„€you€should€never€encounter€the€problemÐ PÌ Ðaddressed€by€this€bill€if€you€give€the€trustee€the€power€to€name€new€charitable€beneficiaries€in€theÐ <¸ Ðevent€a€named€beneficiary€ceases€to€exist.Ð (¤ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚeÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòThe€Ô_ÔNIMCRUTÔ_Ô€Bill.Ô €Ô1ÖÔóóó ó€€HB€1373€adopts€a€new€default€rule€for€allocating€income€andÐ !|  Ðprincipal€for€charitable€trusts.€€The€default€rule€for€charitable€trusts€will€be€that€an€increase€in€theÐ ì!h! Ðvalue€of€a€deferred€annuity€before€Ô_ÔannuitizationÔ_Ô€and€a€life€insurance€contract€before€the€death€of€theÐ Ø"T" Ðinsured€over€the€value€at€the€time€the€obligation€was€acquired€by€the€trust€is€income.€€This€makes€itÐ Ä#@ # Ðeasier€for€net€income€makeup€charitable€remainder€Ô_ÔunitrustsÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔNIMCRUTsÔ_Ô)€to€employ€the€so„calledÐ °$,!$ Ðspigot€technique€ð"ð€a€substantial€portion€of€the€Ô_ÔNIMCRUTÔ_Ô€is€invested€in€deferred€annuity€contracts,Ð œ%"% Ðyielding€no€income€in€years€when€the€Ô_ÔnoncharitableÔ_Ô€beneficiary€needs€no€income€and€permitting€theÐ ˆ&#& Ðtrustee€to€generate€lots€of€make„up€income€in€years€when€the€Ô_ÔnoncharitableÔ_Ô€beneficiary€wants€lotsÐ t'ð#' Ðof€income.€€As€originally€introduced,€the€rule€would€apply€to€all€trusts,€but€the€bill€was€amended€inÐ `(Ü$( Ðthe€Senate€Jurisprudence€Committee€to€apply€only€to€charitable€trusts.Ð L)È%) ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚfÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòProtecting€Charities€Serving€as€Trustee€From€Suit.Ô €ÔÜÔóóó ó€€HB€3276€protects€charities€servingÐ $+ '+ Ðas€trustees€of€trust€from€suit.€€This€is€a€holdover€from€the€1997€session.€€A€similar€bill€died€in€1997Ð ,Œ(, Ðdue€to€a€parliamentary€move€on€other€legislation.€€This€bill€is€part€of€the€backlash€caused€by€theÐ ü,x)- Ðcharitable€gift€annuity€antitrust€litigation€in€Wichita€Falls€a€couple€of€years€back.Ð „ ÐÌÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àò òòòLegislation€Affecting€Marital€Property€Rights€ð!ð€Family€Harmony.Ô €Ô\ÞÔóóó ó€€The€Texas€Academy€ofÐ \Ø ÐProbate€and€Trust€Lawyers€(the€ð ðTexas€Academyðð)€finally€succeeded€in€passing€a€transmutation€billÐ HÄ Ðin€1999,€but€not€without€a€lot€of€effort€and€a€somewhat€distasteful€compromise.Ð 4° ÐÌà  àTexas€always€has€been€the€most€conservative€of€the€community€property€states€when€it€comesÐ  ˆ Ðto€permitting€the€spouses€to€vary€the€community€property€scheme€by€agreement.€€(Remember€òòÔ_ÔHilleyÔ_ÔÐ ø t Ðv.€Ô_ÔHilleyÔ_Ô?óó)€€Today€the€law€is€pretty€clear€that€spouses€can€agree€to€partition€community€property€intoÐ ä ` Ðseparate€property,€but€our€law€does€not€permit€the€reverse€ð"ð€conversion€of€separate€property€intoÐ Ð L  Ðcommunity.€€Now€spouses€must€rely€on€two€community€property€principles€ð"ð€the€income€fromÐ ¼ 8  Ðseparate€property€is€community€rule€and€commingling€(presumption€of€community€property€rule)Ð ¨ $  Ðto€convert€separate€property€into€community.€€Since€under€current€tax€law€both€halves€of€communityÐ ”  Ðproperty€get€a€stepped„up€basis€at€death,€there€are€times€when€creating€community€property€byÐ €ü  Ðagreement€makes€sense.Ð lè  ÐÌà  àFor€two€sessions€Ô_ÔREPTLÔ_Ô€has€tried€to€pass€a€bill€which€would€permit€spouses€to€agree€to€convertÐ DÀ Ðseparate€property€into€community€property.€€Both€times€the€probate€lawyers€group€was€thwarted€byÐ 0¬ Ðcertain€family€lawyers€within€the€state€bar,€making€it€impossible€for€the€section€to€sponsor€theÐ ˜ Ðlegislation.€€The€Texas€Academy€took€up€the€battle€in€1999.€€It€dusted€off€the€failed€Ô_ÔREPTLÔ_ÔÐ „ Ðlegislation,€renamed€it€the€ð ðFamily€Harmonyðð€bill€and€obtained€a€powerful€House€sponsor€„„€Rep.Ð ôp ÐToby€Goodman€of€Tarrant€County,€Chair€of€the€House€Juvenile€Justice€and€Family€Issues€CommitteeÐ à\ Ð(through€which€virtually€all€Family€Code€legislation€must€pass).Ð ÌH ÐÌà  àThe€bill€(which€actually€was€two€bills€ð"ð€Ô_ÔHJRÔ_Ô€36,€the€necessary€constitutional€amendment,€andÐ ¤  ÐHB€734,€the€enabling€legislation€amending€the€Family€Code)€sailed€through€the€House€but€ran€intoÐ   Ðtrouble€in€the€Senate.€€The€trouble€in€the€Senate€resulted€from€another€bill€of€Rep.€Goodmanððs€whichÐ |ø Ðthe€Academy€opposed€ð"ð€HB€2142,€which€would€have€radically€altered€the€rules€in€Texas€aboutÐ hä Ðcommunity€enhancements€to€separate€property.€€The€community€enhancements€bill€would€haveÐ TÐ Ðgreatly€enhanced€the€ability€of€the€Ô_ÔnonmoneyedÔ_Ô€spouse€to€claim€that€increases€in€value€of€theÐ @¼ Ðseparate€property€of€the€other€spouse€was€community€property,€including€an€express€legislativeÐ ,¨ Ðstatement€that€the€Legislature€prefers€the€"enhancement€in€value"€rule€espoused€in€òòAnderson€v.Ð  ” ÐÔ_ÔGillilandÔ_Ôóó,€684€S.€W.€2d€673€(Tex.€1985),€over€the€"reimbursement€theory"€expressed€in€òòJensen€v.Ð !€  ÐJensen,óó€665€S.€W.€2d€107€(Tex.€1984).€€This€may€have€been€a€boon€to€family€lawyers,€but€it€wouldÐ ð!l! Ðhave€been€a€disaster€for€administrators€of€decedentððs€estates,€who€also€would€struggle€with€theÐ Ü"X" ÐÔ_ÔlooseyÔ_Ô„goosey€separate/community€characterization€issues€presented.Ð È#D # ÐÌà  àFor€a€while€it€looked€like€the€Texas€Academy€may€be€able€to€defeat€the€communityÐ  %"% Ðenhancements€bill€only€at€the€risk€of€Family€Harmony€(pardon€the€bad€pun,€but€it€is€hard€to€getÐ Œ&#& Ðhumor€out€of€probate€legislation,€and€one€must€take€oneððs€opportunities€when€they€presentÐ x'ô#' Ðthemselves).€€In€the€end,€a€watered€down€version€of€the€community€enhancements€bill€ð"ð€withoutÐ d(à$( Ðthe€offensive€anti„òòJensenóó€provisions€ð"ð€was€grafted€onto€the€Family€Harmony€bill,€which€passed.Ð P)Ì%) ÐÌà  àThe€Family€Harmony€constitutional€amendment€was€approved€by€Texas€voters€on€NovemberÐ (+¤'+ Ð2,€1999.€€The€new€Ô_ÔSubchapterÔ_Ô€C€to€Chapter€4€of€the€Texas€Family€Code€ð!ð€the€Family€HarmonyÐ ,(, Ðenabling€legislation€which€takes€effect€January€1,€2000€ð!ð€is€attached€as€Appendix€G.Ð -|)- Їòòò òó óóóÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà  àòòò òOther€Legislation.Ô €ÔSñÔó óóóÐ „ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòNo€More€$3„and„$2€Filing€Fees!Ô €ÔòÔóóó ó€HB€2822€may€have€the€most€significant€impact€onÐ \Ø Ðprobate€law€practices.€€This€bill€replaces€the€old€$3€for€the€first€page€and€$2€for€subsequent€pagesÐ HÄ Ðfiling€fee€system€in€probate€cases€in€favor€of€fixed€filing€fees€for€certain€items€(such€as€annualÐ 4° Ðaccounts)€and€FREE€filings€of€everything€else.Ð  œ ÐÌà  àForget€esoteric€legislative€issues€like€community€enhancements,€5B€transfer€power,€etc.€ð"ð€€noÐ ø t Ðmore€3„and„2€filing€fees?€€In€Texas?€€In€probate?€€That,€my€friends,€is€earth„shattering€stuff.€€NoÐ ä ` Ðmore€sending€the€runner€to€the€courthouse€with€the€wrong€fee€due€to€a€miscount€of€pages.€€(Let's€see,Ð Ð L  Ðis€the€order€a€separate€document,€getting€$3€for€the€first€page,€or€just€a€continuation?)€€It€is€not€clearÐ ¼ 8  Ðif€the€$2€fee€for€the€judge's€signature€requirement€will€remain.€€(That€always€seemed€odd€„„€yes,€theÐ ¨ $  Ðjudge€will€sign€the€order,€but€it'll€cost€you€$2€extra€to€file€it.)Ð ”  ÐÌà  àHB€2822€takes€effect€September€1,€1999.Ð lè  ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚbÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòStatutory€Probate€Courts€May€Charge€Extra€$40€Filing€Fee.óóó ó€€Ô €ð*÷ÔHB€1123€permits€countiesÐ DÀ Ðwith€statutory€probate€courts€to€charge€an€extra€$40€filing€fee€in€each€probate,€guardianship,€mentalÐ 0¬ Ðhealth€or€civil€case.€€A€similar€statute€already€applied€to€other€courts,€but€now€counties€with€statutoryÐ ˜ Ðprobate€courts€will€be€able€to€collect€the€extra€fee€as€well.Ð „ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚcÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òThe€Roth€IRA€Exempt€Property€Bill.Ô €ðbùÔóóó ó€€When€Congress€adopted€Section€408A€of€theÐ à\ ÐInternal€Revenue€Code€permitting€Roth€IRAs,€they€threw€the€people€of€Texas€a€Ô_ÔcurveballÔ_Ô€ð"ð€TexasððsÐ ÌH Ðexempt€property€statute€for€individual€retirement€accounts€(Tex.€Prop.€Code€ðð€42.0021)€defined€IRAsÐ ¸4 Ðby€Internal€Revenue€Code€section€rather€than€by€descriptive€name€and€specifically€provided€thatÐ ¤  Ðnondeductible€contributions€were€òònotóó€exempt.Ð   ÐÌà  àOf€course,€by€their€very€nature€contributions€to€Roth€IRAs€are€not€deductible.€€Therefore,Ð hä Ðpersons€establishing€new€Roth€IRAs€and€worse€ð"ð€persons€making€rollovers€to€Roth€IRAs€ð"ð€mayÐ TÐ Ðnot€have€the€protection€of€the€exempt€property€statute.Ð @¼ ÐÌà  àHB€76€addresses€this€problem€by€adding€ð ðSection€408Aðð€plans€to€the€list€and€by€stating€thatÐ  ” Ðnondeductible€contributions€to€a€Roth€IRA€do€not€foul€up€the€exempt€status€of€the€account.€€Finally,Ð !€  ÐHB€76€provides€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôa]mountsÔ_Ô€treated€as€qualified€rollover€contributions€under€Section€408A,Ð ð!l! ÐInternal€Revenue€Code€of€1986,€are€treated€as€exempt€amounts€.€.€.€.ððÐ Ü"X" ÐÌà  àHB€76€was€signed€into€law€by€Governor€Bush€and€takes€effect€September€1,€1999,€and€by€itsÐ ´$0!$ Ðterms€applies€to€ð ðall€contributions€made€under€Section€408A,€Internal€Revenue€Code€of€1986,€before,Ð  %"% Ðon,€or€after€the€effective€date€of€this€Act.ðð€€Nonetheless,€creditors€of€a€person€making€a€big€Roth€IRAÐ Œ&#& Ðrollover€before€the€enactment€of€HB€76€may€argue€that€the€rollover€assets€are€not€exempt€becauseÐ x'ô#' ÐHB€76€is€unconstitutional€as€it€affects€vested€rights.€Ð d(à$( ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚdÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòRelief€for€Write„Your„Own„Will€Software€Publishers€from€the€Definition€of€the€ð ðPracticeÐ <*¸&* Ðof€Law.ððóóó ó€€Ô €ð}ÔIn€February,€Federal€Judge€Barefoot€Sanders€of€Dallas€banned€the€sale€or€distribution€ofÐ (+¤'+ Ðð ðQuicken€Family€Lawyerðð€in€Texas,€saying€that€the€program€violates€Texasððs€statute€barring€theÐ ,(, Ðunauthorized€practice€of€law.€€In€the€case,€brought€by€the€Dallas€unauthorized€practice€of€lawÐ -|)- Ðcommittee,€the€judge€held€that€the€program,€which€aids€users€in€filling€out€wills,€leases,€and€otherÐ „ Ðlegal€documents,€goes€well€beyond€the€mere€provision€of€factual€information€about€the€legal€system.€Ð pì ÐTo€the€authorððs€knowledge,€the€Quicken€Family€Lawyer€case€remains€pending.Ð \Ø ÐÌà  àJudge€Sandersððs€decision€directly€led€to€the€introduction€of€HB€1507,€which€excludes€suchÐ 4° Ðproducts€from€the€definition€of€ð ðpractice€of€law,ðð€clearing€the€way€for€those€products€to€be€sold€inÐ  œ ÐTexas.Ð  ˆ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚeÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòConsolidation€of€Law€Regarding€Advanced€Directives;€New€Statutory€Forms€for€MedicalÐ ä ` ÐPowers€of€Attorney€and€Directives€to€Physicians.Ô €ðGÔóóó ó€€SB€1260€Ô_ÔrecodifiesÔ_Ô€Texas€law€regarding€durableÐ Ð L  Ðpowers€of€attorney€for€health€care,€directives€to€physicians€and€out„of„hospital€Ô_ÔDNRÔ_Ô€orders€into€newÐ ¼ 8  ÐChapter€166€of€the€Health€and€Safety€Code,€entitled€ð ðAdvanced€Directives.ðð€€The€new€Chapter€166Ð ¨ $  Ðcontains€some€common€definitions€that€apply€to€all€such€directives,€as€well€as€Ô_ÔsubchaptersÔ_Ô€on€eachÐ ”  Ðtype€of€directive.€€About€the€only€health€care€directive€òònotóó€included€in€the€Ô_ÔrecodificationÔ_Ô€areÐ €ü  Ðdeclarations€for€mental€health€treatment.Ð lè  ÐÌà  àWhile€they€were€at€it,€the€legislators€changed€two€key€disability€planning€forms.€€First,€the€old€Ð DÀ Ðð ðDurable€Power€of€Attorney€for€Health€Careðð€has€been€renamed€ð ðMedical€Power€of€Attorney,ðð€andÐ 0¬ Ðit€has€just€enough€form€changes€to€trip€folks€up.€€The€new€ð ðMedical€Power€of€Attorneyðð€form€andÐ ˜ Ðdisclosure€statement€is€attached€as€Appendix€C.€€ò òòòPlease€note€that€this€is€a€mandatory€form€whichÐ „ Ðmust€be€used€beginning€September€1,€1999.óóó ó€€The€other€statutory€forms€ð"ð€property€power€ofÐ ôp Ðattorney,€directive€to€physicians,€etc.,€are€permissive,€not€mandatory,€but€the€medical€power€ofÐ à\ Ðattorney€must€be€ð ðsubstantiallyðð€in€the€statutory€form.€€My€guess€is€that€folks€who€are€slow€to€switchÐ ÌH Ðover€and€use€the€old€form€after€September€1,€1999,€will€be€considered€to€ð ðsubstantiallyðð€to€haveÐ ¸4 Ðcomplied€with€the€form,€but€thereððs€no€reason€to€risk€it€ð"ð€start€using€the€new€form€effectiveÐ ¤  ÐSeptember€1,€1999!Ð   ÐÌà  àThe€other€form€change€was€to€the€venerable€ð ðDirective€to€Physiciansðð€form.€€Apparently,€theÐ hä Ðdrafters€did€not€want€to€make€DTP€fans€jealous€of€the€spiffy€new€ð ðMedical€Power€of€Attorneyðð€form,Ð TÐ Ðso€they€renamed€the€directive€to€physicians,€too€ð"ð€it€is€now€called€by€the€noble€title€of€ð ðDirectiveÐ @¼ Ðto€Physicians€and€Family€or€Surrogates.ðð€€The€new€form€is€attached€as€Appendix€D.€€We€can€nowÐ ,¨ Ðcall€it€the€ð ðÔ_ÔDTPFSÔ_Ôðð€or€ð ðÔ_ÔDTPAFOSÔ_Ô.ðð€€In€addition€to€a€name€change,€the€form€now€has€a€disclosureÐ  ” Ðstatement€(similar€to€the€medical€power€of€attorney€disclosure€statement),€a€place€for€the€principalÐ !€  Ðto€choose€between€two€treatment€options,€and€a€place€for€the€principal€to€designate€an€agent.€Ð ð!l! ÐHowever,€the€form€tells€the€principal€not€to€designate€an€agent€on€the€Ô_ÔDTPAFOSÔ_Ô€if€a€medical€powerÐ Ü"X" Ðof€attorney€has€been€used.€€All€in€all,€the€new€form€will€make€document€Ô_ÔsigningsÔ_Ô€more€complicated,Ð È#D # Ðsince€there€are€more€options€for€the€principal.€€It€will€be€interesting€to€see€if€attorneys€get€their€clientsÐ ´$0!$ Ðto€pre„choose€these€options€so€that€the€document€signing€goes€fast€or€if€they€stumble€over€this€duringÐ  %"% Ðeach€signing€ceremony.Ð Œ&#& ÐÌà  àThe€new€Ô_ÔDTPAFOSÔ_Ô€form€is€for€use€beginning€September€1,€1999,€but€it€is€permissive,€notÐ d(à$( Ðmandatory,€so€the€need€to€get€up€to€speed€on€the€new€form€is€not€as€great.òòò òÐ P)Ì%) ÐÌóóó óà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚfÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòDeclarations€for€Mental€Health€Treatment.Ô €ðÀÔóóó ó€€HB€1361€made€changes€to€the€statutesÐ $+ '+ Ðregarding€declarations€for€mental€health€treatment,€giving€physicians€an€opportunity€to€withdrawÐ ,Œ(, Ðfrom€treating€a€patient€if€they€do€not€agree€with€the€treatments€specified€in€the€declaration€andÐ ü,x)- Ðpermitting€deviations€from€the€declaration€in€case€of€an€emergency€when€the€principalððs€instructionsÐ „ Ðhave€not€been€effective€in€reducing€the€severity€of€the€behavior€that€has€caused€the€emergency.Ð pì ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚgÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòFour„Year€Statute€of€Limitations€for€Fraud€and€Breach€of€Fiduciary€Duty.Ô €ð…Ôóóó ó€€Prior€to€theÐ HÄ Ðenactment€of€HB€2456,€it€was€unclear€whether€or€not€causes€of€action€for€breach€of€fiduciary€dutyÐ 4° Ðwere€subject€to€the€two„year€or€four„year€statute€of€limitations.€€HB€2456€makes€it€clear€that€the€fourÐ  œ Ðyear€statute€of€limitation€applies.€€HB€2456€says€that€it€just€ð ðclarifies€existing€law,ðð€so€litigants€canÐ  ˆ Ðspin€it€however€they€choose€for€existing€causes€of€action.Ð ø t ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚhÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòTexas€Tomorrow€Fund€Investments.Ô co;Ôóóó ó€€In€1997€the€Probate€Code€was€amended€to€permitÐ Ð L  Ðinvestment€of€guardianship€funds€in€the€Texas€Tomorrow€college€education€fund€with€courtÐ ¼ 8  Ðapproval.€€SB€112€which€has€been€signed€into€law€and€became€effective€May€17,€1999,€permitsÐ ¨ $  Ðinvestments€in€the€Texas€Tomorrow€Fund€under€Section€142.004€of€the€Texas€Property€Code€andÐ ”  ÐSection€868€of€the€Texas€Probate€Code.€€Therefore,€lawsuit€proceeds€now€can€be€placed€in€the€TexasÐ €ü  ÐTomorrow€Fund€under€Section€142.004€without€the€need€for€a€guardianship€or€trust€under€SectionÐ lè  Ð142.005,€and€the€trustee€of€an€867€trust€is€able€to€invest€trust€assets€in€the€Texas€Tomorrow€FundÐ XÔ  Ðwithout€court€approval.Ð DÀ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚiÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòRights€of€Survivorship€for€Automobile€and€Mobile€Home€Titles.Ô coÔóóó ó€€Under€prior€law,€onlyÐ ˜ Ðspouses€could€register€automobile€titles€and€mobile€home€titles€with€a€right€of€survivorship€„„€so€thatÐ „ Ðthe€survivor€automatically€owns€the€car€or€mobile€home€without€the€need€for€probate.€€HB€381€nowÐ ôp Ðpermits€unmarried€persons€to€have€the€same€privilege.€€This€may€be€useful€in€cases€where€anÐ à\ Ðunmarried€personððs€car€is€the€only€reason€a€probate€or€small€estate€affidavit€is€needed€to€clean€up€titleÐ ÌH Ðon€that€personððs€death.Ð ¸4 ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚjÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòDriver€License€Restrictions€for€Incapacitated€Persons.Ô co"Ôóóó ó€€Under€prior€law,€TransportationÐ   ÐCode€Section€521.201€provided€that€a€person€who€has€been€adjudicated€ð ðmentally€incompetentððÐ |ø Ðcannot€be€issued€a€driver€license.€€HB€3342€deleted€ð ðmentally€incompetentðð€and€substituted€ð ðtotallyÐ hä Ðincapacitated€or€incapacitated€to€act€as€the€operator€of€a€motor€vehicleðð€in€its€place.Ð TÐ ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚkÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àò òòòAssignment€of€Lottery€Winnings.Ô coX$Ôóóó ó€€HB€1799€permits€the€assignment€of€lottery€winningsÐ ,¨ Ð(Ô_ÔannuitizedÔ_Ô,€not€cash€option)€with€the€approval€of€the€district€court€of€Travis€County.€€AssignmentsÐ  ” Ðare€not€permitted€in€the€last€two€years€of€the€payout€schedule,€and€the€applicant€must€satisfy€theÐ !€  ÐCourt€that€he/she€understands€the€tax€implications,€etc.Ð ð!l! ÐÌà  àÔ  ÔÔ2 # ÔÚ  ÚlÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà € àòòò òClean„Up€of€Exemption€From€Creditorsðð€Claims€For€Insurance.Ô co£&Ôóóó ó€€HB€1805€cleans€upÐ È#D # Ðinconsistencies€between€the€Property€Code€and€the€Insurance€Code€regarding€the€creditor€protectionÐ ´$0!$ Ðafforded€insurance€policies€and€proceeds.€€The€legislative€history€makes€clear€that€the€changes€areÐ  %"% Ðnot€intended€to€weaken€the€protection€in€any€way.Ð Œ&#& ÐÌÌÐ  P)Ì%) ÐØØÖ€wºÖà@’ ’ ìàò òÔ  ÔAPPENDIX€A€ð!ð€1999€Amendments€to€the€Texas€Probate€CodeÔ co )Ôó óˆÐ „ ÐÌò òòòÑ€ÑÑ8€ëÈXXdìdÈ8ÑÔ‡ôòÐXëÈÔÓ  ÓÓ  Óóóòò1999€CHANGES€TO€THE€TEXAS€PROBATE€CODEóóòòó óÐ \Ø ÐAmendments€Made€By€the€76òòthóó€Texas€Legislature€(1999)óóÐ €ü ÐòòExplanation€of€Legislative€Changes€ðð€1999€by€Glenn€M.€KarischóóòòóóÐ lè ÐÌò òSECTIONS€WHICH€WERE€AMENDEDó óÐ ÌH ÐÓô)ÓÌò òSec.€3.€€Definitions€and€Use€of€Terms.ó óÐ R Î Ðò òSec.€5.€€Jurisdiction€of€District€Court€and€Other€Courts€of€Record€With€Respect€to€Probate€Proceedings€andÐ    ÐAppeals€from€Probate€Orders.ó óÐ Ö R  Ðò òSec.€5A.€€Matters€Appertaining€and€Incident€to€an€Estate€and€Other€Probate€Court€Jurisdiction.ó óÐ ˜   Ðò òSec.€5B.€€Transfer€of€Proceeding.ó óÐ Z Ö  Ðò òSec.5C.Actions€to€Collect€Delinquent€Property€Taxes.ó óÐ ˜  Ðò òSec.€10B.€€Communications€or€Records€Relating€to€Decedent's€Condition€Before€Death.ó óÐ ÞZ  Ðò òSec.€15.€€Case€Files.ó óÐ    Ðò òSec.€17.€€Maintaining€Records€in€Lieu€of€Record€Books.Ð bÞ  ÐSec.17A.Indexó ó.Ð $   Ðò òSec.€18.€€Use€of€Records€as€Evidence.ó óÐ êf Ðòòóóò òSec.€52.€€Recorded€Instruments€as€Prima€Facie€Evidence.ó óÐ ¬( Ðò òSec.52A.Form€of€Affidavit€of€Facts€Concerning€Identity€of€Heirs.ó óà ` àà È àà 0 à€€€€€Ð nê Ðò òSec.€95.€€Probate€of€Foreign€Will€Accomplished€by€Filing€and€Recording.ó óÐ 4° Ðò òSec.€105A.€€Appointment€and€Service€of€Foreign€Banks€and€Trust€Companies€in€Fiduciary€Capacity.ó óÐ ör Ðò òSec.€149A.€€Accounting.ó óÐ ¸4 Ðò òSec.€149B.€€Accounting€and€Distribution.ó óÐ zö Ðò òSec.€149C.€€Removal€of€Independent€Executor.ó óÐ <¸ Ðò òSec.149D.Distribution€of€Remaining€Estate€Pending€Judicial€Discharge.òòÐ þz ÐóóSec.149E.Judicial€Discharge€of€Independent€Executor.Ð À< ÐSec.149F.Court€Costs€and€Other€Charges€Related€to€Final€Account€in€Judicial€Discharge.Ð ‚þ ÐSec.149G.Rights€and€Remedies€Cumulative.ó óÐ DÀ Ðò òSec.€194.€€Bonds€of€Personal€Representatives€of€Estates.ó óÐ ‚ Ðò òSec.221A.Change€of€Resident€Agent.Ð ÈD ÐSec.221B.Resignation€of€Resident€Agent.òòÐ Š  ÐóóSec.€222.€€Removal.ó óà P àà ¸ àà à€€€€€Ð LÈ! Ðò òSec.€270.€€Liability€of€Homestead€for€Debts.ó óÐ Ž" Ðò òSec.€322.€€Classification€of€Claims€Against€Estates€of€Decedent.ó óÐ ÔP# Ðò òò òPART€10.€€INVESTMENTS,€LOANS,€AND€CONTRIBUTIONS€OF€ESTATES€OF€WARDSó óó óà h àà Ð à€€€€€ò òò òÐ –$ ÐSec.€389.€€Investments€Without€Court€Order.ó óó óÐ \ Ø% Ðò òSec.€404.€€Closing€Administration€of€Estates€of€Decedentsò òó ó.ó óÐ !š& Ðò òSec.€406.€€Procedure€in€Case€of€Neglect€or€Failure€to€File€Final€Account;€Payments€Due€Meantime.Ð à!\' ÐSec.€601.€€Definitions.ó óÐ ¢"( Ðò òSec.€606.€€District€Court€and€Other€Court€of€Record€Jurisdiction.ó óÐ d#à) Ðò òSec.€607.€€Matters€Appertaining€and€Incident€to€an€Estate.ó óÐ &$¢ * Ðò òSec.€608.€€Transfer€of€Guardianship€Proceeding.ó óÐ è$d!+ Ðò òSec.€625.€€Case€Files.ó óÐ ª%&", Ðò òSec.€627.€€Maintaining€Records€in€Lieu€of€Record€Books.Ð l&è"- ÐSec.627A.Index.ó óÐ .'ª#. Ðò òSec.628.Use€of€Records€as€Evidence.ó óÐ ð'l$/ Ðò òSec.€633.€€Notice€and€Citation.ó óÐ ²(.%0 Ðòòóóò òSec.€642.€€Standing€to€Commence€or€Contest€Proceeding.ó óÐ t)ð%1 Ðò òSec.€646.€€Appointment€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem€and€Interpreter.ó óÐ 6*²&2 Ðò òSec.€647.€€Duties€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem.ó óÐ ø*t'3 Ðò òSec.€647A.€€Certification€Requirement€for€Certain€Court„appointed€Attorneys.ó óÐ º+6(4 Ðò òSec.€648A.€€Duties€of€Court€Investigator.ó óÐ |,ø(5 Ðò òSec.€665.€€Compensation€of€Guardians€and€Temporary€Guardians.ó óÐ >-º)6 Ðò òSec.€665B.€€Compensation€of€Certain€Attorneys.ó óÐ „ Ðò òSec.€677A.€€Written€Declarations€by€Certain€Parents€to€Appoint€Guardians€for€Their€Children.ó óÐ F Ðò òSec.€682.€€Application;€Contents.ó óÐ „ Ðò òSec.682A.€€Application€for€Appointment€of€Guardian€for€Certain€Persons.ó óÐ ÊF Ðò òSec.€683.€€Court's€Initiation€of€Guardianship€Proceedings.ó óÐ Œ Ðò òSec.683A.€€Information€Letter.ó óÐ NÊ Ðò òSec.694A.€€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity€or€Modification€of€Guardianship€[ò òWardó ó].ó ó€Ð Œ Ðò òSec.694B.€€Contents€of€Application.òòÐ ÖR ÐóóSec.694C.€€Appointment€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem.Ð ˜  ÐSec.694D.€€Hearing.Ð Z Ö  ÐSec.694E.€€Findings€Required.ó óÐ  ˜  Ðò òSec.694F.€€Examinations€and€Reports€Relating€to€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity€or€ModificationÐ Þ Z  Ðof€Guardianship.Ð     ÐSec.694G.€€Order€of€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity.Ð b Þ  ÐSec.694H.€€Modification€of€Guardianship.Ð $   ÐSec.694I.€€Dismissal€€of€Application.Ð æb  ÐSec.694J.€€Contents€of€Order.òòÐ ¨$  ÐóóSec.694K.€€Attorney€Retained€on€Ward's€Behalf.ó óÐ jæ  Ðò òSec.€697.€€Registration€of€Private€Professional€Guardians.ó óÐ ,¨  Ðò òSec.€698.€€Access€to€Criminal€History€Records.ó óÐ îj Ðò òSec.€702.€€Bond€Required€of€Guardian€of€the€Person€or€Estate.ó óÐ °, Ðò òSec.€743.€€Reports€of€Guardians€of€the€Person.ó óÐ rî Ðò òSec.€855.€€Investments€Without€Court€Order.ó óÐ 4° Ðò òSec.€868.€€Terms€of€Management€Trust.ó óÐ ör Ðò òSec.€875.€€Temporary€Guardian--Procedure.ó óÐ ¸4 Ðò òò òSec.€886.€€Appointment€of€Receiver.ó óó óÐ zö Ðò òò òSec.€886A.€€Expenditures€by€Receiver.Ð <¸ ÐSec.€886B.€€Investments,€Loans,€and€Contributions€by€Receiver.Ð þz ÐSec.€886C.€€Receiver's€Expenses,€Account,€and€Compensation.Ð À< ÐSec.€886D.€€Closing€Receivership.Ð ‚þ ÐSec.€886E.€€Action€of€Judge.ó óó óÐ DÀ ÐÌò òSec.€3.€€Definitions€and€Use€of€Terms.ó óÐ ÊF  ÐÌà  àExcept€as€otherwise€provided€by€Chapter€XIII€of€this€Code,€when€used€in€this€Code,€unless€otherwise€apparentÐ PÌ" Ðfrom€the€context:Ð # ÐÌà  à(a)€"Authorized€corporate€surety"€means€a€domestic€or€foreign€corporation€authorized€to€do€business€in€theÐ œ% ÐState€of€Texas€for€the€purpose€of€issuing€surety,€guaranty€or€indemnity€bonds€guaranteeing€the€fidelity€of€executorsÐ ` Ü& Ðand€administrators.Ð $! ' ÐÌà  à(b)€"Child"€includes€an€adopted€child,€whether€adopted€by€any€existing€or€former€statutory€procedure€or€by€actsÐ ¬"() Ðof€estoppel,€but,€unless€expressly€so€stated€herein,€does€not€include€a€child€who€has€no€presumed€father.Ð p#ì* ÐÌà  à(c)€"Claims"€include€liabilities€of€a€decedent€which€survive,€including€taxes,€whether€arising€in€contract€or€inÐ ø$t!, Ðtort€or€otherwise,€funeral€expenses,€the€expense€of€a€tombstone,€expenses€of€administration,€estate€and€inheritanceÐ ¼%8"- Ðtaxes,€and€debts€due€such€estates.Ð €&ü". ÐÌÔ‡2ôòòôÔà  à(d)€"Corporate€fiduciary"€means€a€òòò òfinancial€institution€as€defined€by€Section€201.101,€Finance€Code,óó€[ò òtrustÐ („$0 Ðcompany€or€bankó ó]ó ó€having€trust€powers,€existing€or€doing€business€under€the€laws€of€€this€stateòòò ò,€another€state,ó óóó€orÐ Î(J%1 Ðò ò[ò òofó ó]ó ó€the€United€States,€which€is€authorized€by€law€to€act€under€the€order€or€appointment€of€any€court€of€record,Ð ”)&2 Ðwithout€giving€bond,€as€receiver,€trustee,€executor,€administrator,€or,€although€without€general€depository€powers,Ð Z*Ö&3 Ðdepository€for€any€moneys€paid€into€court,€or€to€become€sole€guarantor€or€surety€in€or€upon€any€bond€required€to€beÐ +š'4 Ðgiven€under€the€laws€of€this€state.Ô#†ôòò2ôG#ÔÓB.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#„ì˜hBÓÐ â+^(5 ÐÌà  à(e)€"County€Court"€and€"Probate€Court"€are€synonymous€terms€and€denote€county€courts€in€the€exercise€ofÐ j-æ)7 ÐÔ_Ôtheir€probate€jurisdiction,€courts€created€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€original€probate€jurisdiction,€andÐ „ Ðdistrict€courts€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€in€contested€matters.€Ð HÄ ÐÌà  à(f)€"County€Judge,"€"Probate€Judge,"€and€"Judge"€denote€the€presiding€judge€of€any€court€having€originalÐ ÐL Ðjurisdiction€over€probate€proceedings,€whether€it€be€a€county€court€in€the€exercise€of€its€probate€jurisdiction,€a€courtÐ ” Ðcreated€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€probate€jurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€inÐ XÔ Ðcontested€matters.Ð ˜ ÐÌà  à(g)€"Court"€denotes€and€includes€both€a€county€court€in€the€exercise€of€its€probate€jurisdiction,€a€courtÐ ¤  Ðcreated€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€original€probate€jurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€exercising€originalÐ h ä  Ðprobate€jurisdiction€in€contested€matters.Ð , ¨  ÐÌà  à(h)€"Devise,"€when€used€as€a€noun,€includes€a€testamentary€disposition€of€real€or€personal€property,€or€ofÐ ´ 0  Ðboth.€€When€used€as€a€verb,€"devise"€means€to€dispose€of€real€or€personal€property,€or€of€both,€by€will.Ð x ô  ÐÌà  à(i)€"Devisee"€includes€legatee.Ð |  ÐÌà  à(j)€"Distributee"€denotes€a€person€entitled€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent€under€a€lawful€will,€or€under€theÐ ˆ  Ðstatutes€of€descent€and€distribution.Ð LÈ  ÐÌà  à(k)€"Docket"€means€the€probate€docket.Ð ÔP ÐÌà  à(l)€"Estate"€denotes€the€real€and€personal€property€of€a€decedent€,€both€as€such€property€originally€existedÐ \Ø Ðand€as€from€time€to€time€changed€in€form€by€sale,€reinvestment,€or€otherwise,€and€as€augmented€by€any€accretionsÐ  œ Ðand€additions€thereto€(including€any€property€to€be€distributed€to€the€representative€of€the€decedent€by€the€trustee€ofÐ ä` Ða€trust€which€terminates€upon€the€decedent's€death)€and€substitutions€therefor,€and€as€diminished€by€any€decreasesÐ ¨$ Ðtherein€and€distributions€therefrom.Ð lè ÐÌà  à(m)€"Exempt€property"€refers€to€that€property€of€a€decedent's€estate€which€is€exempt€from€execution€orÐ ôp Ðforced€sale€by€the€Constitution€or€laws€of€this€State,€and€to€the€allowance€in€lieu€thereof.Ð ¸4 ÐÌà  à(n)€Repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995.Ð @¼ ÐÌà  à(o)€"Heirs"€denote€those€persons,€including€the€surviving€spouse,€who€are€entitled€under€the€statutes€ofÐ ÈD! Ðdescent€and€distribution€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent€who€dies€intestate.Ð Œ" ÐÌà  à(p)€"Incapacitated"€or€"Incapacitated€person"€means:Ð $ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€a€minor;Ð œ & ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€an€adult€individual€who,€because€of€a€physical€or€mental€condition,€is€substantially€unable€toÐ $" ( Ðprovide€food,€clothing,€or€shelter€for€himself€or€herself,€to€care€for€the€individual's€own€physical€health,€or€to€manageÐ è"d) Ðthe€individual's€own€financial€affairs;Ð ¬#( * ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€a€missing€person;€orÐ 4%°!, ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€a€person€who€must€have€a€guardian€appointed€to€receive€funds€due€the€person€from€anyÐ ¼&8#. Ðgovernmental€source.Ð €'ü#/ ÐÌà  à(q)€"Independent€executor"€means€the€personal€representative€of€an€estate€under€independent€administrationÐ )„%1 Ðas€provided€in€Section€145€of€this€Code.€€The€term€"independent€executor"€includes€the€term€"independentÐ Ì)H&2 Ðadministrator."Ð * '3 ÐÌà  à(r)€"Interested€persons"€or€"persons€interested"€means€heirs,€devisees,€spouses,€creditors,€or€any€othersÐ ,”(5 Ðhaving€a€property€right€in,€or€claim€against,€the€estate€being€administered;€and€anyone€interested€in€the€welfare€of€aÐ Ü,X)6 Ðminor€or€incompetent€ward.Ð „ ÐÌà  à(s)€"Legacy"€includes€any€gift€or€devise€by€will,€whether€of€personalty€or€realty.€"Legatee"€includes€anyÐ  ˆ Ðperson€entitled€to€a€legacy€under€a€will.Ð ÐL ÐÌà  à(t)€"Minors"€are€all€persons€under€eighteen€years€of€age€who€have€never€been€married€or€who€have€not€hadÐ XÔ Ðdisabilities€of€minority€removed€for€general€purposes.Ð ˜ ÐÌà  à(u)€"Minutes"€means€the€probate€minutes.Ð ¤  ÐÌà  à(v)€"Mortgage"€or€"Lien"€includes€deed€of€trust,€vendor's€lien,€chattel€mortgage,€mechanic's,€materialman'sÐ , ¨  Ðor€laborer's€lien,€judgment,€attachment€or€garnishment€lien,€pledge€by€hypothecation,€and€Federal€or€State€tax€liens.Ð ð l  ÐÌà  à(w)€"Net€estate"€means€the€real€and€personal€property€of€a€decedent,€exclusive€of€homestead€rights,€exemptÐ x ô  Ðproperty,€the€family€allowance€and€enforceable€claims€against€the€estate.Ð <¸  ÐÌà  à(x)€"Person"€includes€natural€persons€and€corporations.Ð Ä@  ÐÌà  à(y)€Repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995.Ð LÈ  ÐÌà  à(z)€"Personal€property"€includes€interests€in€goods,€money,€choses€in€action,€evidence€of€debts,€and€chattelsÐ ÔP Ðreal.Ð ˜ ÐÌà  à(aa)€"Personal€representative"€or€"Representative"€includes€executor,€independent€executor,€administrator,Ð  œ Ðindependent€administrator,€temporary€administrator,€together€with€their€successors.€€The€inclusion€of€independentÐ ä` Ðexecutors€herein€shall€not€be€held€to€subject€such€representatives€to€control€of€the€courts€in€probate€matters€withÐ ¨$ Ðrespect€to€settlement€of€estates€except€as€expressly€provided€by€law.Ð lè ÐÌà  à(bb)€"Probate€matter,"€"Probate€proceedings,"€"Proceeding€in€probate,"€and€"Proceedings€for€probate"€areÐ ôp Ðsynonymous€and€include€a€matter€or€proceeding€relating€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent.Ð ¸4 ÐÌà  à(cc)€"Property"€includes€both€real€and€personal€property.Ð @¼ ÐÌà  à(dd)€"Real€property"€includes€estates€and€interests€in€lands,€corporeal€or€incorporeal,€legal€or€equitable,Ð ÈD! Ðother€than€chattels€real.Ð Œ" ÐÌà  à(ee)€"Surety"€includes€both€personal€and€corporate€sureties.Ð $ ÐÌà  à(ff)€"Will"€includes€codicil;€it€also€includes€a€testamentary€instrument€which€merely:Ð œ & ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€appoints€an€executor€or€guardian;Ð $" ( ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€directs€how€property€may€not€be€disposed€of;€orÐ ¬#( * ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€revokes€another€will.Ð 4%°!, ÐÌà  à(gg)€The€singular€number€includes€the€plural;€the€plural€number€includes€the€singular.Ð ¼&8#. ÐÌà  à(hh)€The€masculine€gender€includes€the€feminine€and€neuter.Ð D(À$0 ÐÌà  à(ii)€"Statutory€probate€court"€means€a€statutory€court€designated€as€a€statutory€probate€court€under€ChapterÐ Ì)H&2 Ð25,€Government€Code.€€A€county€court€at€law€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€is€not€a€statutory€probate€court€underÐ * '3 Ðthis€Code€unless€the€court€is€designated€a€statutory€probate€court€under€Chapter€25,€Government€Code.Ð T+Ð'4 ÐÌà  à(jj)€"Next€of€kin"€includes€an€adopted€child€or€his€or€her€descendents€and€the€adoptive€parent€of€the€adoptedÐ Ü,X)6 Ðchild.Ð „ ÐÌà  à(kk)€"Charitable€organization"€means:Ð  ˆ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€a€nonprofit€corporation,€trust,€community€chest,€fund,€foundation,€or€other€entity€that€is€exemptÐ ” Ðfrom€federal€income€tax€under€Section€501(c)(3)€of€the€Internal€Revenue€Code€of€1986€because€the€entity€isÐ XÔ Ðorganized€and€operated€exclusively€for€religious,€charitable,€scientific,€educational,€or€literary€purposes,€testing€forÐ ˜ Ðpublic€safety,€prevention€of€cruelty€to€children€or€animals,€or€promotion€of€amateur€sports€competition;€orÐ à\ ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€any€other€entity€or€organization€that€is€organized€and€operated€exclusively€for€the€purposesÐ h ä  Ðlisted€in€Section€501(c)(3)€of€the€Internal€Revenue€Code€of€1986.Ð , ¨  ÐÌà  à(ll)€"Governmental€agency€of€the€state"€means:Ð ´ 0  ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€an€incorporated€city€or€town,€a€county,€a€public€school€district,€a€special-purpose€district€orÐ <¸  Ðauthority,€or€a€district,€county,€or€justice€of€the€peace€court;Ð |  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€a€board,€commission,€department,€office,€or€other€agency€in€the€executive€branch€of€stateÐ ˆ  Ðgovernment,€including€an€institution€of€higher€education€as€defined€by€Section€61.003,€Education€Code;Ð LÈ  ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€the€legislature€or€a€legislative€agency;€andÐ ÔP ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€the€supreme€court,€the€court€of€criminal€appeals,€a€court€of€appeals,€or€the€State€Bar€of€TexasÐ \Ø Ðor€another€judicial€agency€having€statewide€jurisdiction.Ð  œ ÐÌà  à(mm)€"Ward"€is€a€person€for€whom€a€guardian€has€been€appointed.Ð ¨$ ÐÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€Amended€by€Acts€1957,€55th€Leg.,€p.€53,€ch.€31,€Sec.€2(a),€eff.Ð 0¬ ÐAug.€22,€1957;€Acts€1961,€57th€Leg.,€p.€44,€ch.€30,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Aug.€28,€1961;€Acts€1969,€61st€Leg.,€p.€1703,€ch.€556,Ð ôp ÐSec.€1,€eff.€June€10,€1969;€Acts€1969,€61st€Leg.,€p.€1922,€ch.€641,€Sec.€1,€eff.€June€12,€1969;€Acts€1975,€64th€Leg.,€p.Ð ¸4 Ð104,€ch.€45,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1975;€Acts€1975,€64th€Leg.,€p.€2195,€ch.€701,€Sec.€1,€eff.€June€21,€1975;€Acts€1977,Ð |ø Ð65th€Leg.,€p.€1061,€ch.€390,€Secs.€1,€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1977;€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1740,€ch.€713,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€27,Ð @¼ Ð1979.€€Subsec.€(n)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€591,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1985;€Subsec.€(p)€amended€by€ActsÐ €  Ð1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1985;€Subsec.€(y)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€2,€eff.Ð ÈD! ÐSept.€1,€1985;€Subsec.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€375,€Sec.€33,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Subsecs.€(kk),€(ll)Ð Œ" Ðadded€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€1035,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€subsec.€(n)€amended€by€Acts€1991,€72nd€Leg.,€ch.Ð PÌ# Ð14,€Sec.€284(96),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1991;€Subsec.€(ff)€amended€by€Acts€1991,€72nd€Leg.,€ch.€895,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1991.€Ð $ ÐAmended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1993;€Subsec.€(n)€repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,Ð ØT% Ðch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Subsec.€(p)€amended€by€Acts€1995,€74òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,Ð œ & Ð1995;€Subsec.€(y)€repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Subsec.€(mm)€added€byÐ `!Ü' ÐActs€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Subsec.€(ii)€amended€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€52,€Sec.Ð $" ( Ð1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.óó€€ò òòòSubsec.€(d)€amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€_____€[HB€2066],€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ è"d) ÐÌÔ*xƒ‘c.’d'dÜdd Ücdd cEs°(#°(#xÔÔ,xdd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ r$î +r$î  Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ Ö$R!, ÐÌó óThe€Interstate€Banking€Act,€HB€2066,€amended€subsection€(d)€ð"ð€the€definition€of€ð ðcorporate€fiduciaryðð€ð"ð€to€beÐ Z&Ö". Ðconsistent€with€the€stateððs€restructured€banking€laws.Ð 'š#/ ÐÌò òSec.€5.€€Jurisdiction€of€District€Court€and€Other€Courts€of€Record€With€Respect€to€Probate€Proceedings€andÐ 0)¬%0 ÐAppeals€from€Probate€Orders.ó óÐ ò)n&1 ÐÌà  à(a)€The€district€court€shall€have€original€control€and€jurisdiction€over€executors€and€administrators€underÐ x+ô'3 Ðsuch€regulations€as€may€be€prescribed€by€law.Ð <,¸(4 ÐÐ -|)5 Ðà  à(b)€In€those€counties€where€there€is€no€statutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law€or€other€statutory€courtÐ „ Ðexercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,€all€applications,€petitions€and€motions€regarding€probate€andÐ HÄ Ðadministrations€shall€be€filed€and€heard€in€the€county€court,€except€that€in€contested€probate€matters,€the€judge€of€theÐ  ˆ Ðcounty€court€may€on€his€own€motion€(or€shall€on€the€motion€of€any€party€to€the€proceeding,€according€to€the€motion)Ð ÐL Ðrequest€as€provided€by€Section€25.0022,€Government€Code,€the€assignment€of€a€statutory€probate€òòò òcourtóóó ó€judge€to€hearÐ ” Ðthe€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding,€or€transfer€the€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding€to€the€district€court,Ð ZÖ Ðwhich€may€then€hear€contested€matter€as€if€originally€filed€in€district€court.€If€the€judge€of€the€county€court€has€notÐ š Ðtransferred€a€contested€òòò òprobate€matter€to€the€district€court€at€the€time€a€party€files€a€motion€for€assignment€of€aÐ â^ Ðstatutory€probate€court€judge,€the€county€judge€shall€grant€the€motion€and€may€not€transfer€the€matter€toÐ ¨ $ Ðdistrict€court€unless€the€party€withdraws€the€motion.€A€statutory€probate€court€judge€assigned€to€a€contestedÐ j æ  Ðprobate€matter€as€provided€by€this€subsection€has€for€that€matter€the€jurisdiction€and€authority€granted€to€aÐ , ¨  Ðstatutory€probate€court€by€Sections€5A€and€5B€of€this€code.ó óóó€€The€county€court€shall€continue€to€exerciseÐ î j  Ðjurisdiction€over€the€management€of€the€estate€with€the€exception€of€the€contested€matter€until€final€disposition€of€theÐ ´ 0  Ðcontested€matter€is€made€by€the€assigned€judge€or€the€district€court.€€In€contested€matters€transferred€to€the€districtÐ x ô  Ðcourt€in€those€counties,€the€district€court,€concurrently€with€the€county€court,€shall€have€the€general€jurisdiction€of€aÐ <¸  Ðprobate€court.€€Upon€resolution€of€all€pending€contested€matters,€the€contested€portion€of€the€probate€proceedingÐ |  Ðshall€be€transferred€by€the€district€court€to€the€county€court€for€further€proceedings€not€inconsistent€with€the€orders€ofÐ Ä@  Ðthe€district€court.€€If€a€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding€is€transferred€to€a€district€court€under€this€subsection,€theÐ ˆ  Ðclerk€of€the€district€court€may€perform€in€relation€to€the€transferred€portion€of€the€proceeding€any€function€a€countyÐ LÈ  Ðclerk€may€perform€in€that€type€of€contested€proceeding.Ð Œ ÐÌà  à(c)€In€those€counties€where€there€is€a€statutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law,€or€other€statutory€courtÐ ˜ Ðexercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,€all€applications,€petitions€and€motions€regarding€probate€andÐ \Ø Ðadministrations€shall€be€filed€and€heard€in€such€courts€and€the€constitutional€county€court,€rather€than€in€the€districtÐ  œ Ðcourts,€unless€otherwise€provided€by€the€legislature,€and€the€judges€of€such€courts€may€hear€any€of€such€mattersÐ ä` Ðsitting€for€the€judge€of€any€of€such€courts.€€In€contested€probate€matters,€the€judge€of€the€constitutional€county€courtÐ ¨$ Ðmay€on€his€own€motion,€and€shall€on€the€motion€of€any€party€to€the€proceeding,€transfer€the€proceeding€to€theÐ lè Ðstatutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law,€or€other€statutory€court€exercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,Ð 0¬ Ðwhich€may€then€hear€the€proceeding€as€if€originally€filed€in€such€court.Ð ôp ÐÌà  à(d)€A€statutory€probate€court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€with€the€district€court€in€all€actions€by€or€against€aÐ |ø Ðperson€in€the€person's€capacity€as€a€personal€representative,€in€all€actions€involving€an€inter€vivos€trust,€in€all€actionsÐ @¼ Ðinvolving€a€charitable€trust,€and€in€all€actions€involving€a€testamentary€trust.Ð €  ÐÌà  à(e)€All€courts€exercising€original€probate€jurisdiction€shall€have€the€power€to€hear€all€matters€incident€to€anÐ Œ" Ðestate.€€When€a€surety€is€called€on€to€perform€in€place€of€an€administrator,€all€courts€exercising€original€probateÐ PÌ# Ðjurisdiction€may€award€judgment€against€the€personal€representative€in€favor€of€his€surety€in€the€same€suit.Ð $ ÐÌà  à(f)€All€final€orders€of€any€court€exercising€original€probate€jurisdiction€shall€be€appealable€to€the€courts€ofÐ œ & Ðappeals.Ð `!Ü' ÐÌà  à(g)€Notwithstanding€any€other€law,€a€statutory€county€court€created€under€Chapter€25,€Government€Code,Ð è"d) Ðthat€has€the€jurisdiction€of€a€statutory€probate€court€on€August€31,€1997,€retains€that€jurisdiction€after€that€date.€€ThisÐ ¬#( * Ðsubsection€expires€August€31,€1999.Ð p$ì + ÐÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€Amended€by€Acts€1973,€63rd€Leg.,€p.€1684,€ch.€610,€Sec.€1;Ð ø%t"- ÐActs€1975,€64th€Leg.,€p.€2195,€ch.€701,€Sec.€2,€eff.€June€21,€1975;€Acts€1977,€65òòthóó€Leg.,€p.€1170,€ch.€448,€Sec.€1,€eff.Ð ¼&8#. ÐAug.€29,€1977;€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1740,€ch.€713,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Aug.€27,€1979.€€Subsec.€(b)€amended€by€ActsÐ €'ü#/ Ð1983,€68th€Leg.,€p.€5434,€ch.€1015,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€29,€1983;€Subsecs.€(b),€(c)€amended€by€Acts€1983,€68th€Leg.,€p.Ð D(À$0 Ð4122,€ch.€647,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1983;€Subsec.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,Ð )„%1 Ð1985;€amended€by€Acts€1987,€70th€Leg.,€ch.€459,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1987.€€Amended€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.Ð Ì)H&2 Ð1035,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Subsecs.€(a),€(b),€(c),€(e)€amended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.€5,€eff.€Sept.Ð * '3 Ð1,€1993;€Subsec.€(g)€added€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€1435,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.óó€€ò òòòSubsec.€(b)€amended€byÐ T+Ð'4 ÐActs€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1607),€eff.€Aug.€30,€1999.ó óóóÐ ,–(5 ÐÐ Ü,X)6 ÐÔ*eƒ“c.”ddxdd x‘c.’°(#°(#eÔÔ,xdd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ „„ €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ èd ÐÌó óSo„called€ð ðconstitutionalðð€county€courts€cannot€hear€contested€probate€proceedings€if€any€party€objects€or€if€theÐ lè Ðcourt€decides€not€to€hear€the€matter€on€its€own€motion.€€Prior€to€the€1999€change,€the€county€court€had€twoÐ 0¬ Ðoptions€for€getting€rid€of€the€contested€proceeding:€it€could€either€transfer€it€to€the€district€court€or€ask€theÐ ôp Ðpresiding€statutory€probate€court€judge€to€assign€a€statutory€probate€judge€to€hear€the€proceeding.€€Under€priorÐ ¸4 Ðlaw,€there€was€no€priority€given€to€either€option€ð"ð€the€county€court€was€free€either€to€transfer€it€to€district€courtÐ |ø Ðor€ask€for€a€statutory€probate€court€judge.€€If€a€statutory€probate€court€judge€was€assigned€to€hear€the€proceeding,Ð @ ¼ Ðunder€prior€law€he€or€she€did€not€bring€along€the€ð ðjurisdictional€toolboxðð€ð"ð€the€broad€ð ðappertaining€toðð€definitionÐ  €  Ðof€statutory€probate€courts€and€the€Section€5B€transfer€power.Ð È D  ÐÌThe€1999€amendment€to€subsection€(b)€does€two€things:€First,€it€gives€a€priority€to€the€statutory€probate€courtÐ P Ì  Ðassignment€option.€€If€the€county€court€has€not€tr