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ÐóóSec.€222.€€Removal.ó óà ¸ àà  àà h à€€€€€Ð  ð Ðò òSec.€270.€€Liability€of€Homestead€for€Debts.ó óÐ f¶  Ðò òSec.€322.€€Classification€of€Claims€Against€Estates€of€Decedent.ó óÐ (x! Ðò òò òPART€10.€€INVESTMENTS,€LOANS,€AND€CONTRIBUTIONS€OF€ESTATES€OF€WARDSó óó óà x àà Ð à€€€€€ò òò òÐ ê:" ÐSec.€389.€€Investments€Without€Court€Order.ó óó óÐ °# Ðò òSec.€404.€€Closing€Administration€of€Estates€of€Decedentsò òó ó.ó óÐ r Â$ Ðò òSec.€406.€€Procedure€in€Case€of€Neglect€or€Failure€to€File€Final€Account;€Payments€Due€Meantime.Ð 4!„% ÐSec.€601.€€Definitions.ó óÐ ö!F& Ðò òSec.€606.€€District€Court€and€Other€Court€of€Record€Jurisdiction.ó óÐ ¸"' Ðò òSec.€607.€€Matters€Appertaining€and€Incident€to€an€Estate.ó óÐ z#Ê( Ðò òSec.€608.€€Transfer€of€Guardianship€Proceeding.ó óÐ <$Œ) Ðò òSec.€625.€€Case€Files.ó óÐ þ$N * Ðò òSec.€627.€€Maintaining€Records€in€Lieu€of€Record€Books.Ð À%!+ ÐSec.627A.Index.ó óÐ ‚&Ò!, Ðò òSec.628.Use€of€Records€as€Evidence.ó óÐ D'”"- Ðò òSec.€633.€€Notice€and€Citation.ó óÐ (V#. Ðòòóóò òSec.€642.€€Standing€to€Commence€or€Contest€Proceeding.ó óÐ È($/ Ðò òSec.€646.€€Appointment€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem€and€Interpreter.ó óÐ Š)Ú$0 Ðò òSec.€647.€€Duties€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem.ó óÐ L*œ%1 Ðò òSec.€647A.€€Certification€Requirement€for€Certain€Court„appointed€Attorneys.ó óÐ +^&2 ÐÐ Ð+ '3 Ðò òSec.€648A.€€Duties€of€Court€Investigator.ó óÐ ° Ðò òSec.€665.€€Compensation€of€Guardians€and€Temporary€Guardians.ó óÐ r Ðò òSec.€665B.€€Compensation€of€Certain€Attorneys.ó óÐ 4„ Ðò òSec.€677A.€€Written€Declarations€by€Certain€Parents€to€Appoint€Guardians€for€Their€Children.ó óÐ öF Ðò òSec.€682.€€Application;€Contents.ó óÐ ¸ Ðò òSec.682A.€€Application€for€Appointment€of€Guardian€for€Certain€Persons.ó óÐ zÊ Ðò òSec.€683.€€Court's€Initiation€of€Guardianship€Proceedings.ó óÐ < Œ Ðò òSec.683A.€€Information€Letter.ó óÐ þ N Ðò òSec.694A.€€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity€or€Modification€of€Guardianship€[ò òWardó ó].ó ó€Ð À  Ðò òSec.694B.€€Contents€of€Application.òòÐ † Ö  ÐóóSec.694C.€€Appointment€of€Attorney€Ad€Litem.Ð H ˜  ÐSec.694D.€€Hearing.Ð  Z  ÐSec.694E.€€Findings€Required.ó óÐ Ì   Ðò òSec.694F.€€Examinations€and€Reports€Relating€to€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity€or€ModificationÐ ŽÞ  Ðof€Guardianship.Ð P   ÐSec.694G.€€Order€of€Complete€Restoration€of€Ward's€Capacity.Ð b  ÐSec.694H.€€Modification€of€Guardianship.Ð Ô$  ÐSec.694I.€€Dismissal€€of€Application.Ð –æ  ÐSec.694J.€€Contents€of€Order.òòÐ X¨  ÐóóSec.694K.€€Attorney€Retained€on€Ward's€Behalf.ó óÐ j Ðò òSec.€697.€€Registration€of€Private€Professional€Guardians.ó óÐ Ü, Ðò òSec.€698.€€Access€to€Criminal€History€Records.ó óÐ žî 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 "r Ðò òSec.€855.€€Investments€Without€Court€Order.ó óÐ ä4 Ðò òSec.€868.€€Terms€of€Management€Trust.ó óÐ ¦ö Ðò òSec.€875.€€Temporary€Guardian--Procedure.ó óÐ h¸ Ðò òò òSec.€886.€€Appointment€of€Receiver.ó óó óÐ *z Ðò òò òSec.€886A.€€Expenditures€by€Receiver.Ð ì< ÐSec.€886B.€€Investments,€Loans,€and€Contributions€by€Receiver.Ð ®þ ÐSec.€886C.€€Receiver's€Expenses,€Account,€and€Compensation.Ð pÀ ÐSec.€886D.€€Closing€Receivership.Ð 2‚ ÐSec.€886E.€€Action€of€Judge.ó óó óÐ ôD  ÐÌò òSec.€3.€€Definitions€and€Use€of€Terms.ó óÐ zÊ" ÐÌà  àExcept€as€otherwise€provided€by€Chapter€XIII€of€this€Code,€when€used€in€this€Code,€unless€otherwiseÐ  P$ Ðapparent€from€the€context:Ð Ä % ÐÌà  à(a)€"Authorized€corporate€surety"€means€a€domestic€or€foreign€corporation€authorized€to€do€business€in€theÐ L"œ' ÐState€of€Texas€for€the€purpose€of€issuing€surety,€guaranty€or€indemnity€bonds€guaranteeing€the€fidelity€of€executorsÐ #`( Ðand€administrators.Ð Ô#$) ÐÌà  à(b)€"Child"€includes€an€adopted€child,€whether€adopted€by€any€existing€or€former€statutory€procedure€or€byÐ \%¬ + Ðacts€of€estoppel,€but,€unless€expressly€so€stated€herein,€does€not€include€a€child€who€has€no€presumed€father.Ð  &p!, ÐÌà  à(c)€"Claims"€include€liabilities€of€a€decedent€which€survive,€including€taxes,€whether€arising€in€contract€orÐ ¨'ø". Ðin€tort€or€otherwise,€funeral€expenses,€the€expense€of€a€tombstone,€expenses€of€administration,€estate€and€inheritanceÐ l(¼#/ Ðtaxes,€and€debts€due€such€estates.Ð 0)€$0 ÐÌÔ‡-ôR,òòôR,Ôà  à(d)€"Corporate€fiduciary"€means€a€òòò òfinancial€institution€as€defined€by€Section€201.101,€Finance€Code,óóÐ ¸*&2 Ð[ò òtrust€company€or€bankó ó]ó ó€having€trust€powers,€existing€or€doing€business€under€the€laws€of€€this€stateòòò ò,€anotherÐ ~+Î&3 Ðstate,ó óóó€or€ò ò[ò òofó ó]ó ó€the€United€States,€which€is€authorized€by€law€to€act€under€the€order€or€appointment€of€any€court€ofÐ D,”'4 Ðrecord,€without€giving€bond,€as€receiver,€trustee,€executor,€administrator,€or,€although€without€general€depositoryÐ ° Ðpowers,€depository€for€any€moneys€paid€into€court,€or€to€become€sole€guarantor€or€surety€in€or€upon€any€bondÐ tÄ Ðrequired€to€be€given€under€the€laws€of€this€state.Ô#†ôR,òò-ôR,–#ÔÓB.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°œXBÓÐ 8ˆ ÐÌà  à(e)€"County€Court"€and€"Probate€Court"€are€synonymous€terms€and€denote€county€courts€in€the€exercise€ofÐ À Ðtheir€probate€jurisdiction,€courts€created€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€original€probate€jurisdiction,€andÐ „Ô Ðdistrict€courts€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€in€contested€matters.€Ð H ˜ ÐÌà  à(f)€"County€Judge,"€"Probate€Judge,"€and€"Judge"€denote€the€presiding€judge€of€any€court€having€originalÐ Ð  Ðjurisdiction€over€probate€proceedings,€whether€it€be€a€county€court€in€the€exercise€of€its€probate€jurisdiction,€a€courtÐ ” ä  Ðcreated€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€probate€jurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€inÐ X ¨  Ðcontested€matters.Ð  l  ÐÌà  à(g)€"Court"€denotes€and€includes€both€a€county€court€in€the€exercise€of€its€probate€jurisdiction,€a€courtÐ ¤ô  Ðcreated€by€statute€and€authorized€to€exercise€original€probate€jurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€exercising€originalÐ h¸  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 ´  Ðboth.€€When€used€as€a€verb,€"devise"€means€to€dispose€of€real€or€personal€property,€or€of€both,€by€will.Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  à(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€"Devisee"€includes€legatee.Ð P ÐÌà  à(j)€"Ô_ÔDistributeeÔ_Ô"€denotes€a€person€entitled€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent€under€a€lawful€will,€or€under€theÐ ˆØ Ðstatutes€of€descent€and€distribution.Ð Lœ ÐÌà  à(k)€"Docket"€means€the€probate€docket.Ð Ô$ ÐÌà  à(l)€"Estate"€denotes€the€real€and€personal€property€of€a€decedent€,€both€as€such€property€originally€existedÐ \¬ Ðand€as€from€time€to€time€changed€in€form€by€sale,€reinvestment,€or€otherwise,€and€as€augmented€by€any€accretionsÐ  p Ðand€additions€thereto€(including€any€property€to€be€distributed€to€the€representative€of€the€decedent€by€the€trustee€ofÐ ä4 Ða€trust€which€terminates€upon€the€decedent's€death)€and€substitutions€therefor,€and€as€diminished€by€any€decreasesÐ ¨ø Ðtherein€and€distributions€therefrom.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  à(m)€"Exempt€property"€refers€to€that€property€of€a€decedent's€estate€which€is€exempt€from€execution€orÐ ôD! Ðforced€sale€by€the€Constitution€or€laws€of€this€State,€and€to€the€allowance€in€lieu€thereof.Ð ¸" ÐÌà  à(n)€Repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995.Ð @ $ ÐÌà  à(o)€"Heirs"€denote€those€persons,€including€the€surviving€spouse,€who€are€entitled€under€the€statutes€ofÐ È!& Ðdescent€and€distribution€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent€who€dies€intestate.Ð Œ"Ü' ÐÌà  à(p)€"Incapacitated"€or€"Incapacitated€person"€means:Ð $d) ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€a€minor;Ð œ%ì + ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€an€adult€individual€who,€because€of€a€physical€or€mental€condition,€is€substantially€unable€toÐ $'t"- Ðprovide€food,€clothing,€or€shelter€for€himself€or€herself,€to€care€for€the€individual's€own€physical€health,€or€to€manageÐ è'8#. Ðthe€individual's€own€financial€affairs;Ð ¬(ü#/ ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€a€missing€person;€orÐ 4*„%1 ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€a€person€who€must€have€a€guardian€appointed€to€receive€funds€due€the€person€from€anyÐ ¼+ '3 Ðgovernmental€source.Ð ° ÐÌà  à(q)€"Independent€executor"€means€the€personal€representative€of€an€estate€under€independent€administrationÐ 8ˆ Ðas€provided€in€Section€145€of€this€Code.€€The€term€"independent€executor"€includes€the€term€"independentÐ üL Ðadministrator."Ð À ÐÌà  à(r)€"Interested€persons"€or€"persons€interested"€means€heirs,€devisees,€spouses,€creditors,€or€any€othersÐ H ˜ Ðhaving€a€property€right€in,€or€claim€against,€the€estate€being€administered;€and€anyone€interested€in€the€welfare€of€aÐ  \ Ðminor€or€incompetent€ward.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à(s)€"Legacy"€includes€any€gift€or€devise€by€will,€whether€of€personalty€or€realty.€"Legatee"€includes€anyÐ X ¨  Ðperson€entitled€to€a€legacy€under€a€will.Ð  l  ÐÌà  à(t)€"Minors"€are€all€persons€under€eighteen€years€of€age€who€have€never€been€married€or€who€have€not€hadÐ ¤ô  Ðdisabilities€of€minority€removed€for€general€purposes.Ð h¸  ÐÌà  à(u)€"Minutes"€means€the€probate€minutes.Ð ð@  ÐÌà  à(v)€"Mortgage"€or€"Lien"€includes€deed€of€trust,€vendor's€lien,€chattel€mortgage,€mechanic's,€Ô_ÔmaterialmanÔ_Ô'sÐ xÈ  Ðor€laborer's€lien,€judgment,€attachment€or€garnishment€lien,€pledge€by€hypothecation,€and€Federal€or€State€tax€liens.Ð <Œ ÐÌà  à(w)€"Net€estate"€means€the€real€and€personal€property€of€a€decedent,€exclusive€of€homestead€rights,€exemptÐ Ä Ðproperty,€the€family€allowance€and€enforceable€claims€against€the€estate.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  à(x)€"Person"€includes€natural€persons€and€corporations.Ð ` ÐÌà  à(y)€Repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995.Ð ˜è ÐÌà  à(z)€"Personal€property"€includes€interests€in€goods,€money,€Ô_ÔchosesÔ_Ô€in€action,€evidence€of€debts,€and€chattelsÐ  p Ðreal.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  à(aa)€"Personal€representative"€or€"Representative"€includes€executor,€independent€executor,€administrator,Ð l¼ Ðindependent€administrator,€temporary€administrator,€together€with€their€successors.€€The€inclusion€of€independentÐ 0€  Ðexecutors€herein€shall€not€be€held€to€subject€such€representatives€to€control€of€the€courts€in€probate€matters€withÐ ôD! Ðrespect€to€settlement€of€estates€except€as€expressly€provided€by€law.Ð ¸" ÐÌà  à(bb)€"Probate€matter,"€"Probate€proceedings,"€"Proceeding€in€probate,"€and€"Proceedings€for€probate"€areÐ @ $ Ðsynonymous€and€include€a€matter€or€proceeding€relating€to€the€estate€of€a€decedent.Ð !T% ÐÌà  à(cc)€"Property"€includes€both€real€and€personal€property.Ð Œ"Ü' ÐÌà  à(dd)€"Real€property"€includes€estates€and€interests€in€lands,€corporeal€or€incorporeal,€legal€or€equitable,Ð $d) Ðother€than€chattels€real.Ð Ø$( * 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 è'8#. ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€appoints€an€executor€or€guardian;Ð p)À$0 ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€directs€how€property€may€not€be€disposed€of;€orÐ ø*H&2 ÐÐ ¼+ '3 Ðà  àà ` à(3)€revokes€another€will.Ð ° ÐÌà  à(gg)€The€singular€number€includes€the€plural;€the€plural€number€includes€the€singular.Ð 8ˆ ÐÌà  à(hh)€The€masculine€gender€includes€the€feminine€and€neuter.Ð À ÐÌà  à(ii)€"Statutory€probate€court"€means€a€statutory€court€designated€as€a€statutory€probate€court€under€ChapterÐ H ˜ Ð25,€Government€Code.€€A€county€court€at€law€exercising€probate€jurisdiction€is€not€a€statutory€probate€court€underÐ  \ Ðthis€Code€unless€the€court€is€designated€a€statutory€probate€court€under€Chapter€25,€Government€Code.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à(Ô_ÔjjÔ_Ô)€"Next€of€kin"€includes€an€adopted€child€or€his€or€her€Ô_ÔdescendentsÔ_Ô€and€the€adoptive€parent€of€the€adoptedÐ X ¨  Ðchild.Ð  l  ÐÌà  à(Ô_ÔkkÔ_Ô)€"Charitable€organization"€means:Ð ¤ô  ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€a€nonprofit€corporation,€trust,€community€chest,€fund,€foundation,€or€other€entity€that€is€exemptÐ ,|  Ðfrom€federal€income€tax€under€Section€501(c)(3)€of€the€Internal€Revenue€Code€of€1986€because€the€entity€isÐ ð@  Ðorganized€and€operated€exclusively€for€religious,€charitable,€scientific,€educational,€or€literary€purposes,€testing€forÐ ´  Ðpublic€safety,€prevention€of€cruelty€to€children€or€animals,€or€promotion€of€amateur€sports€competition;€orÐ xÈ  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€any€other€entity€or€organization€that€is€organized€and€operated€exclusively€for€the€purposesÐ P Ðlisted€in€Section€501(c)(3)€of€the€Internal€Revenue€Code€of€1986.Ð Ä ÐÌà  à(ll)€"Governmental€agency€of€the€state"€means:Ð Lœ ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€an€incorporated€city€or€town,€a€county,€a€public€school€district,€a€special-purpose€district€orÐ Ô$ Ðauthority,€or€a€district,€county,€or€justice€of€the€peace€court;Ð ˜è ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€a€board,€commission,€department,€office,€or€other€agency€in€the€executive€branch€of€stateÐ  p Ðgovernment,€including€an€institution€of€higher€education€as€defined€by€Section€61.003,€Education€Code;Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€the€legislature€or€a€legislative€agency;€andÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€the€supreme€court,€the€court€of€criminal€appeals,€a€court€of€appeals,€or€the€State€Bar€of€TexasÐ ôD! Ðor€another€judicial€agency€having€statewide€jurisdiction.Ð ¸" 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 È!& 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 Œ"Ü' 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 P# ( 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 $d) Ð65th€Leg.,€p.€1061,€ch.€390,€Ô_ÔSecsÔ_Ô.€1,€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1977;€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1740,€ch.€713,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€27,Ð Ø$( * Ð1979.€€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(n)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€591,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1985;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(p)€amended€by€ActsÐ œ%ì + Ð1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1985;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(y)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€2,€eff.Ð `&°!, ÐSept.€1,€1985;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€375,€Sec.€33,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(Ô_ÔkkÔ_Ô),€(ll)Ð $'t"- Ðadded€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€1035,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Ô_ÔsubsecÔ_Ô.€(n)€amended€by€Acts€1991,€72nd€Leg.,€ch.Ð è'8#. Ð14,€Sec.€284(96),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1991;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(ff)€amended€by€Acts€1991,€72nd€Leg.,€ch.€895,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1991.€Ð ¬(ü#/ ÐAmended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1993;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(n)€repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,Ð p)À$0 Ðch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(p)€amended€by€Acts€1995,€74òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,Ð 4*„%1 Ð1995;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(y)€repealed€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€73(1),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(mm)€added€byÐ ø*H&2 ÐActs€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(ii)€amended€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€52,€Sec.Ð ¼+ '3 Ð1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.óó€€ò òòòÔ_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(d)€amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€_____€[HB€2066],€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ ° ÐÌÔ*‹ƒGcYIddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#‹ÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ :Š:Š Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ žî ÐÌó óThe€Interstate€Banking€Act,€HB€2066,€amended€subsection€(d)€ð"ð€the€definition€of€ð ðcorporate€fiduciaryðð€ð"ð€to€beÐ "r Ðconsistent€with€the€stateððs€restructured€banking€laws.Ð æ6 ÐÌò òSec.€5.€€Jurisdiction€of€District€Court€and€Other€Courts€of€Record€With€Respect€to€Probate€Proceedings€andÐ ø H ÐAppeals€from€Probate€Orders.ó óÐ º  ÐÌà  à(a)€The€district€court€shall€have€original€control€and€jurisdiction€over€executors€and€administrators€underÐ @   Ðsuch€regulations€as€may€be€prescribed€by€law.Ð T  ÐÌà  à(b)€In€those€counties€where€there€is€no€statutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law€or€other€statutory€courtÐ ŒÜ  Ðexercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,€all€applications,€petitions€and€motions€regarding€probate€andÐ P   Ðadministrations€shall€be€filed€and€heard€in€the€county€court,€except€that€in€contested€probate€matters,€the€judge€of€theÐ d  Ðcounty€court€may€on€his€own€motion€(or€shall€on€the€motion€of€any€party€to€the€proceeding,€according€to€the€motion)Ð Ø(  Ðrequest€as€provided€by€Section€25.0022,€Government€Code,€the€assignment€of€a€statutory€probate€òòò òcourtóóó ó€judge€to€hearÐ œì  Ðthe€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding,€or€transfer€the€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding€to€the€district€court,Ð b² Ðwhich€may€then€hear€contested€matter€as€if€originally€filed€in€district€court.€If€the€judge€of€the€county€court€has€notÐ &v Ðtransferred€a€contested€òòò òprobate€matter€to€the€district€court€at€the€time€a€party€files€a€motion€for€assignment€of€aÐ ê: 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 r Ðprobate€matter€as€provided€by€this€subsection€has€for€that€matter€the€jurisdiction€and€authority€granted€to€aÐ 4„ Ðstatutory€probate€court€by€Sections€5A€and€5B€of€this€code.ó óóó€€The€county€court€shall€continue€to€exerciseÐ öF Ðjurisdiction€over€the€management€of€the€estate€with€the€exception€of€the€contested€matter€until€final€disposition€of€theÐ ¼  Ðcontested€matter€is€made€by€the€assigned€judge€or€the€district€court.€€In€contested€matters€transferred€to€the€districtÐ €Ð Ðcourt€in€those€counties,€the€district€court,€concurrently€with€the€county€court,€shall€have€the€general€jurisdiction€of€aÐ D” Ðprobate€court.€€Upon€resolution€of€all€pending€contested€matters,€the€contested€portion€of€the€probate€proceedingÐ X Ðshall€be€transferred€by€the€district€court€to€the€county€court€for€further€proceedings€not€inconsistent€with€the€orders€ofÐ Ì Ðthe€district€court.€€If€a€contested€portion€of€the€proceeding€is€transferred€to€a€district€court€under€this€subsection,€theÐ à Ðclerk€of€the€district€court€may€perform€in€relation€to€the€transferred€portion€of€the€proceeding€any€function€a€countyÐ T¤ Ðclerk€may€perform€in€that€type€of€contested€proceeding.Ð h  ÐÌà  à(c)€In€those€counties€where€there€is€a€statutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law,€or€other€statutory€courtÐ  ð" Ðexercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,€all€applications,€petitions€and€motions€regarding€probate€andÐ d ´# Ðadministrations€shall€be€filed€and€heard€in€such€courts€and€the€constitutional€county€court,€rather€than€in€the€districtÐ (!x$ Ðcourts,€unless€otherwise€provided€by€the€legislature,€and€the€judges€of€such€courts€may€hear€any€of€such€mattersÐ ì!<% 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 t#Ä' Ðstatutory€probate€court,€county€court€at€law,€or€other€statutory€court€exercising€the€jurisdiction€of€a€probate€court,Ð 8$ˆ( Ðwhich€may€then€hear€the€proceeding€as€if€originally€filed€in€such€court.Ð ü$L ) ÐÌà  à(d)€A€statutory€probate€court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€with€the€district€court€in€all€actions€by€or€against€aÐ „&Ô!+ Ðperson€in€the€person's€capacity€as€a€personal€representative,€in€all€actions€involving€an€inter€vivos€trust,€in€all€actionsÐ H'˜", 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 ”)ä$/ Ðestate.€€When€a€surety€is€called€on€to€perform€in€place€of€an€administrator,€all€courts€exercising€original€probateÐ X*¨%0 Ðjurisdiction€may€award€judgment€against€the€personal€representative€in€favor€of€his€surety€in€the€same€suit.Ð +l&1 ÐÐ à+0'2 Ðà  à(f)€All€final€orders€of€any€court€exercising€original€probate€jurisdiction€shall€be€appealable€to€the€courts€ofÐ ° Ðappeals.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  à(g)€Notwithstanding€any€other€law,€a€statutory€county€court€created€under€Chapter€25,€Government€Code,Ð üL Ðthat€has€the€jurisdiction€of€a€statutory€probate€court€on€August€31,€1997,€retains€that€jurisdiction€after€that€date.€€ThisÐ À Ðsubsection€expires€August€31,€1999.Ð „Ô 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  \ 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 Ð  ÐAug.€29,€1977;€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1740,€ch.€713,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Aug.€27,€1979.€€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€by€ActsÐ ” ä  Ð1983,€68th€Leg.,€p.€5434,€ch.€1015,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€29,€1983;€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(b),€(c)€amended€by€Acts€1983,€68th€Leg.,€p.Ð X ¨  Ð4122,€ch.€647,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1983;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€159,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,Ð  l  Ð1985;€amended€by€Acts€1987,€70th€Leg.,€ch.€459,€Sec.€4,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1987.€€Amended€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.Ð à 0  Ð1035,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(a),€(b),€(c),€(e)€amended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.€5,€eff.€Sept.Ð ¤ô  Ð1,€1993;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(g)€added€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€1435,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.óó€€ò òòòÔ_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€byÐ h¸  ÐActs€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1607),€eff.€Aug.€30,€1999.ó óóóÐ .~  ÐÌÔ*eƒJcYKddxdd (#GcYI°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ´ ´  €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ h  ÐÌó óSo„called€ð ðconstitutionalðð€county€courts€cannot€hear€contested€probate€proceedings€if€any€party€objects€or€if€theÐ œì Ðcourt€decides€not€to€hear€the€matter€on€its€own€motion.€€Prior€to€the€1999€change,€the€county€court€had€twoÐ `° Ðoptions€for€getting€rid€of€the€contested€proceeding:€it€could€either€transfer€it€to€the€district€court€or€ask€theÐ $t Ðpresiding€statutory€probate€court€judge€to€assign€a€statutory€probate€judge€to€hear€the€proceeding.€€Under€priorÐ è8 Ðlaw,€there€was€no€priority€given€to€either€option€ð"ð€the€county€court€was€free€either€to€transfer€it€to€district€courtÐ ¬ü Ðor€ask€for€a€statutory€probate€court€judge.€€If€a€statutory€probate€court€judge€was€assigned€to€hear€the€proceeding,Ð pÀ Ðunder€prior€law€he€or€she€did€not€bring€along€the€ð ðjurisdictional€toolboxðð€ð"ð€the€broad€ð ðappertaining€toðð€definitionÐ 4„ Ðof€statutory€probate€courts€and€the€Section€5B€transfer€power.Ð øH ÐÌThe€1999€amendment€to€subsection€(b)€does€two€things:€First,€it€gives€a€priority€to€the€statutory€probate€courtÐ €Ð Ðassignment€option.€€If€the€county€court€has€not€transferred€the€case€to€district€court€prior€to€receiving€a€motion€forÐ D” Ðassignment€from€either€party,€it€must€ask€for€the€assignment€of€a€statutory€probate€court€judge€to€hear€the€case.€Ð X ÐSecond,€if€a€statutory€probate€court€judge€is€assigned€to€hear€the€case,€he€or€she€brings€the€toolbox€along€ð"ðÐ Ì  Ðincluding€the€Section€5B€transfer€power.Ð à! ÐÌThe€1999€amendment€has€no€effective€date€provision,€so€it€becomes€effective€90€days€after€the€legislative€sessionÐ h# Ðended,€or€on€August€30,€1999.€€Because€it€has€no€effective€date€provision,€it€is€unclear€whether€it€applies€to€theÐ Ü,$ Ðestates€of€persons€dying€after€August€30,€1999,€proceedings€filed€after€August€30,€1999,€or€motions€forÐ   ð% Ðassignment€filed€after€August€30,€1999,€although€the€latter€seems€the€most€obvious€construction.Ðd!´&  ÐÌò òSec.€5A.€€Matters€Appertaining€and€Incident€to€an€Estate€and€Other€Probate€Court€Jurisdiction.ó óÐ v#Æ' ÐÌà  à(a)€In€proceedings€in€the€constitutional€county€courts€and€statutory€county€courts€at€law,€the€phrasesÐ ü$L ) Ð"appertaining€to€estates"€and€"incident€to€an€estate"€in€this€Code€include€the€probate€of€wills,€the€issuance€of€lettersÐ À%!* Ðtestamentary€and€of€administration,€the€determination€of€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô,€and€also€include,€but€are€not€limited€to,€all€claimsÐ „&Ô!+ Ðby€or€against€an€estate,€all€actions€for€trial€of€title€to€land€incident€to€an€estate€and€for€the€enforcement€of€liensÐ H'˜", Ðthereon€incident€to€an€estate,€all€actions€for€trial€of€the€right€of€property€incident€to€an€estate,€and€actions€to€construeÐ  (\#- Ðwills,€and€generally€all€matters€relating€to€the€settlement,€partition,€and€distribution€of€estates€of€deceased€persons.Ð Ð( $. ÐÌà  à(b)€In€proceedings€in€the€statutory€probate€courts€and€òòò òdistrictóó€[ò òdistrictsó ó]ó ó€courts,€the€phrases€"appertaining€toÐ X*¨%0 Ðestates"€and€"incident€to€an€estate"€in€this€Code€include€the€probate€of€wills,€the€issuance€of€letters€testamentary€andÐ +n&1 Ðof€administration,€and€the€determination€of€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô,€and€also€include,€but€are€not€limited€to,€all€claims€by€or€againstÐ â+2'2 Ðan€estate,€all€actions€for€trial€of€title€to€land€and€for€the€enforcement€of€liens€thereon,€all€actions€for€trial€of€the€rightÐ ° Ðof€property,€all€actions€to€construe€wills,€the€interpretation€and€administration€of€testamentary€trusts€and€the€applyingÐ tÄ Ðof€constructive€trusts,€and€generally€all€matters€relating€to€the€settlement,€partition,€and€distribution€of€estates€ofÐ 8ˆ ÐdeceasedÐ üL Ðpersons.€€All€statutory€probate€courts€may,€in€the€exercise€of€their€jurisdiction,€notwithstanding€any€other€provisionsÐ À Ðof€this€Code,€hear€all€suits,€actions,€and€applications€filed€against€or€on€behalf€of€any€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô€proceeding€orÐ „Ô Ðdecedent's€estate,€including€estates€administered€by€an€independent€executor;€all€such€suits,€actions,€and€applicationsÐ H ˜ Ðare€appertaining€to€and€incident€to€an€estate€ò ò[ò òfor€the€purposes€of€this€sectionó ó]ó ó.€€ÓB.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°XBÓThis€subsection€shall€be€construed€inÐ  \ Ðconjunction€with€and€in€harmony€with€Section€145€and€all€other€sections€of€this€Code€dealing€with€independentÐ Ò " Ðexecutors,€but€shall€not€be€construed€so€as€to€increase€permissible€judicial€control€over€independent€executors.€€AllÐ – æ  Ðstatutory€probate€courts€shall€have€the€same€powers€over€independent€executors€that€are€exercisable€by€the€districtÐ Z ª  Ðcourts.€€In€situations€where€the€jurisdiction€of€a€statutory€probate€court€is€concurrent€with€that€of€a€district€court,€anyÐ  n  Ðcause€of€action€appertaining€to€estates€or€incident€to€an€estate€shall€be€brought€in€a€statutory€probate€court€rather€thanÐ â 2  Ðin€the€district€court.Ð ¦ö  ÐÌà  à(c)€A€statutory€probate€court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€with€the€district€court€in€all€actions:€Ð .~  ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€by€or€against€a€person€in€the€person's€capacity€as€a€personal€representative;Ð ¶  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€involving€an€inter€vivos€trust;Ð >Ž ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€involving€a€charitable€trust;€andÐ Æ ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€involving€a€testamentary€trust.Ð Nž ÐÌà  à(d)€A€statutory€probate€court€may€exercise€the€pendent€and€ancillary€jurisdiction€necessary€to€promoteÐ Ö& Ðjudicial€efficiency€and€economy.Ð šê ÐÌà  à(e)€Subsections€òòò ò(c)(2),€(3),€and€(4)óó€[ò ò(c)ó ó]ó ó€and€òòò òSubsectionóóó ó€(d)€apply€whether€or€not€the€matter€is€appertainingÐ "r Ðto€or€incident€to€an€estate.ÓB.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°XBÓÐ è8 ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1741,€ch.€713,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Aug.€27,€1979.€€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1985,€69thÐ pÀ ÐLeg.,€ch.€875,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€26,€1985;€Acts€1987,€70òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€459,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1987.€€Amended€by€ActsÐ 4„  Ð1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€1035,€Sec.€3,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1989;€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(a),€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.Ð øH! Ð6,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1993;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€1302,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.€€ò òAmended€byÐ ¼ " ÐActs€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€778),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ ‚Ò# ÐÌÔ*eƒLcYOddxdd (#JcYK°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ !X%!X €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ l!¼& ÐÌThe€1999€amendment€to€Section€5B€is€a€clean„up€of€the€1997€change.€€The€1997€change€was€a€last„minute,€on„Ð ò"B( Ðthe„floor„of„the„House€amendment€intended€to€make€it€clear€that€statutory€probate€courts€can€transfer€any€cause€ofÐ ¶#) Ðaction€ð ðagainst€or€on€behalf€ofðð€a€decedentððs€estate€ð"ð€not€just€cases€meet€the€òòÔ_ÔSeayÔ_Ô€v.€Hallóó€ð ðappertaining€toððÐ z$Ê* Ðestates€criteria.€€òòSee€Ô_ÔSeayÔ_Ô€v.€Hall,óó€677€S.€W.€2d€19€(Tex.€1984).€€Thus,€a€wrongful€death€and€survival€action,Ð >%Ž + Ðwhich€does€not€meet€the€òòÔ_ÔSeayÔ_Ô€v.€Hallóó€test,€is€transferable€under€Section€5B€if€it€is€brought€by€the€personalÐ &R!, Ðrepresentative€on€behalf€of€the€decedentððs€estate.€€The€1997€change€accomplished€this€result€by€changing€theÐ Æ&"- Ðdefinition€of€ð ðappertaining€to€estatesðð€ð"ð€now€a€proceeding€in€which€the€personal€representative€defends€the€estateÐ Š'Ú". Ðor€Ô_ÔorÔ_Ô€which€is€brought€by€the€personal€representative€on€behalf€of€an€estate€is€considered€ð ðappertaining€toðð€estates.Ð N(ž#/ ÐÌThe€wording€of€the€1997€amendment€left€something€to€be€desired.€€For€example,€while€the€primary€reason€forÐ Ö)&%1 Ðexpanding€the€ð ðappertaining€to€estatesðð€definition€was€to€broaden€the€Section€5B€transfer€power€of€statutoryÐ š*ê%2 Ðprobate€courts,€the€1997€amendment€stated€that€actions€against€or€on€behalf€of€an€estate€were€ð ðappertaining€to€andÐ ^+®&3 Ðincident€to€an€estate€ò òòòfor€the€purposes€of€this€section,ððóóó ó€arguably€meaning€Section€5A€and€not€5B.Ð ",r'4 ЇThe€1999€amendment€cleans€this€up€by€deleting€ð ðfor€the€purposes€of€this€sectionðð€phrase.€€It€also€changesÐ d ÐSubsection€(e)€so€that€it€makes€more€sense,€given€the€new,€broader€definition€of€ð ðappertaining€to€estates.ððÐ Ø( ÐÌThe€1999€amendment€takes€effect€September€1,€1999.€€HB€778€does€not€make€clear€whether€or€not€it€applies€toÐ `° Ðpersons€dying€after€September€1,€1999,€estates€opened€after€September€1,€1999,€or€to€any€action€pending€on€orÐ $t Ðafter€September€1,€1999,€but€the€latter€seems€to€be€the€most€likely€construction.Ðè8  ÐÌò òSec.€5B.€€Transfer€of€Proceeding.ó óÐ ú J ÐÌà  àA€judge€of€a€statutory€probate€court€on€the€motion€of€a€party€to€the€action€or€on€the€motion€of€a€personÐ € Ð  Ðinterested€in€an€estate,€may€transfer€to€his€court€from€a€district,€county,€or€statutory€court€a€cause€of€actionÐ D ”  Ðappertaining€to€or€incident€to€an€estate€pending€in€the€statutory€probate€court€òòòòò òor€a€cause€of€action€in€which€aÐ X  Ðpersonalóó€òòrepresentative€of€an€estate€pending€in€the€statutory€probate€courtóó€òòis€a€partyó óóóóó€and€may€consolidate€theÐ Î  Ðtransferred€cause€of€action€with€the€other€proceedings€in€the€statutory€probate€court€relating€to€that€estate.Ð ”ä  ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1983,€68th€Leg.,€p.€5228,€ch.€958,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1983.€€ò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.Ð l  Ð____€(HB€2580),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ â2  ÐÌÔ*eƒPcYQddxdd (#LcYO°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ h¸h¸ €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ Ì ÐÌThe€1999€change€to€Section€5B€further€clarifies€that€a€statutory€probate€court€may€transfer€to€itself€a€proceedingÐ R¢ Ðin€which€the€personal€representative€of€an€estate€pending€in€such€court€is€a€party€under€the€famous€(or€infamous,Ð f Ðdepending€on€oneððs€point€of€view)€Section€5B€ð ðreach€out€and€touchðð€power.€€A€1997€amendment€to€Section€5A,Ð Ú* Ðclarified€in€1999€òò(see€the€explanation€following€Section€5A€above)óó€indirectly€made€this€the€law€by€expanding€theÐ žî Ðdefinition€of€ð ðappertaining€to€estates.ðð€€This€amendment€accomplishes€the€same€thing€in€a€more€direct€and€easy€toÐ b² Ðunderstand€way.Ð &v ÐÌIn€addition,€the€1999€change€to€Section€5B€enhances€the€power€of€the€probate€court€to€transfer€related€third„partyÐ ®þ Ðactions.€€Take€the€example€of€an€executor€who€sues€a€defendant€in€district€court.€€If€the€defendant€brings€a€third„Ð r Ðparty€action€against€another€person€for€contribution€and€indemnity,€the€third„party€action€is€not€ð ðappertaining€toÐ 6† Ðan€estateðð€under€the€Section€5A€definition€because€it€is€not€ð ðagainst€or€on€behalf€ofðð€€the€estate.€€The€change€toÐ úJ ÐSection€5B€makes€it€clear€that€the€probate€court€nevertheless€can€transfer€the€whole€case€ð"ð€including€the€non„Ð ¾  Ðappertaining€third„party€action€ð"ð€because€the€executor€is€a€ð ðpartyðð€to€the€cause€of€action.Ð ‚Ò! ÐÌHB€2580€provides€that€it€takes€effect€September€1,€1999,€ð ðand€applies€only€to€a€motion€to€transfer€a€cause€ofÐ  Z# Ðaction€filed€on€or€after€that€date.€€A€motion€to€transfer€a€cause€of€action€filed€before€the€effective€date€of€this€ActÐ Î $ Ðis€governed€by€the€law€in€effect€on€the€date€the€motion€was€filed,€and€the€former€law€is€continued€in€effect€for€thatÐ ’!â% Ðpurpose.ððÐV"¦&  ÐÌòòò òSec.5C.Actions€to€Collect€Delinquent€Property€Taxes.ó óóóÐ h$¸' ÐÌò òà  à(a)€€This€section€applies€only€to€a€decedent's€estate€that:Ð î%>!) ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(1)is€being€administered€in€a€pending€probate€proceeding;óóÐ r'Â"+ ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(2)owns€or€claims€an€interest€in€property€against€which€a€taxing€unit€has€imposed€adÐ ö(F$- Ðvalorem€taxes€that€are€delinquent;€andóóÐ ¸)%. ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(3)is€not€being€administered€as€an€independent€administration€under€Section€145€of€thisÐ <+Œ&0 Ðcode.óó€Ð þ+N'1 Їà  àòò(b)Notwithstanding€any€provision€of€this€code€to€the€contrary,€if€the€probate€proceedings€areÐ ° Ðpending€in€a€foreign€jurisdiction€or€in€a€county€other€than€the€county€in€which€the€taxes€were€imposed,€a€suitÐ r Ðto€foreclose€the€lien€securing€payment€of€the€taxes€or€to€enforce€personal€liability€for€the€taxes€must€beÐ 4„ Ðbrought€under€Section€33.41,€Tax€Code,€in€a€court€of€competent€jurisdiction€in€the€county€in€which€the€taxesÐ öF Ðwere€imposed.óóÐ ¸ ЀÌà  àòò(c)If€the€probate€proceedings€have€been€pending€for€four€years€or€less€in€the€county€in€which€theÐ < Œ Ðtaxes€were€imposed,€the€taxing€unit€may€present€a€claim€for€the€delinquent€taxes€against€the€estate€to€theÐ þ N Ðpersonal€representative€of€the€estate€in€the€probate€proceedings.óó€Ð À  ÐÌà  àòò(d)If€the€taxing€unit€presents€a€claim€against€the€estate€under€Subsection€(c)€of€this€section:óóÐ D ”  ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(1)the€claim€of€the€taxing€unit€is€subject€to€each€applicable€provision€in€Parts€4€and€5,Ð È   ÐChapter€VIII,€of€this€code€that€relates€to€a€claim€or€the€enforcement€of€a€claim€in€a€probate€proceeding;€andóóÐ ŠÚ  ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(2)the€taxing€unit€may€not€bring€a€suit€in€any€other€court€to€foreclose€the€lien€securingÐ ^  Ðpayment€of€the€taxes€or€to€enforce€personal€liability€for€the€delinquent€taxes€before€the€first€day€after€theÐ Ð  Ðfourth€anniversary€of€the€date€the€application€for€the€probate€proceeding€was€filed.óó€Ð ’â  ÐÌà  àòò(e)To€foreclose€the€lien€securing€payment€of€the€delinquent€taxes,€the€taxing€unit€must€bring€a€suitÐ f Ðunder€Section€33.41,€Tax€Code,€in€a€court€of€competent€jurisdiction€for€the€county€in€which€the€taxes€wereÐ Ø( Ðimposed€if:óóÐ šê ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(1)the€probate€proceedings€have€been€pending€in€that€county€for€more€than€four€years;€andóóÐ n ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(2)the€taxing€unit€did€not€present€a€delinquent€tax€claim€under€Subsection€(c)€of€this€sectionÐ ¢ò Ðagainst€the€estate€in€the€probate€proceeding.óó€Ð d´ ÐÌà  àòò(f)In€a€suit€brought€under€Subsection€(e)€of€this€section,€the€taxing€unit:óóÐ è8 ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(1)shall€make€the€personal€representative€of€the€decedent's€estate€a€party€to€the€suit;€andóóÐ l¼ ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(2)may€not€seek€to€enforce€personal€liability€for€the€taxes€against€the€estate€of€the€decedent.óó€ó óÐ ð@  ÐÌòòò òAdded€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€_____€(HB€3549),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ vÆ" ÐÌÔ*eƒRcYWddxdd (#PcYQ°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ üL$üL €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ ` °% ÐÌHB€3549€was€a€comprehensive€bill€dealing€with€many€procedural€issues€regarding€ad€valorem€taxation.€€This€newÐ æ!6' Ðsection€of€the€Probate€Code€is€an€outgrowth€of€recent€cases€addressing€the€potential€jurisdictional€and/or€venueÐ ª"ú( Ðconflicts€arising€when€a€taxing€authority€seeks€to€collect€ad€valorem€taxes€from€the€personal€representative€orÐ n#¾) Ðbeneficiaries€of€an€estate.€€òòSee€Bailey€v.€Cherokee€County€Appraisal€District,óó€862€S.€W.€2d€581€(Tex.€1993)òò€andÐ 2$‚* ÐCrawford€v.€Town€of€Flower€Mound,óó€933€S.€W.€2d€727€(Tex.€App.€ð"ð€Fort€Worth€1996,€writ€denied).Ð ö$F + ÐÌHB€3549€resolves€this€conflict€by€requiring€a€tax€foreclosure€suit€to€be€brought€in€the€county€where€the€property€isÐ ~&Î!- Ðlocated,€even€if€a€probate€proceeding€is€pending€in€another€county.Ð B'’". ÐÌThis€is€one€of€those€bills€in€which€non„probate€interests€draft€probate€legislation.€€As€is€often€the€case,€the€draftersÐ Ê($0 Ðleft€us€with€a€little€confusion,€especially€over€claims€procedures.€€Also,€while€the€drafters€may€have€intended€toÐ Ž)Þ$1 Ðtrump€Section€5B€transfers,€nothing€in€Section€5C€appears€to€do€that€ð"ð€if€a€tax€foreclosure€suit€is€ð ðbroughtðð€in€theÐ R*¢%2 Ðcounty€where€real€property€is€located,€nothing€in€Section€5C€would€appear€to€preclude€a€statutory€probate€courtÐ +f&3 Ðfrom€transferring€the€case€to€itself€under€Section€5B.Ð Ú+*'4 ЇThe€new€Section€5C€applies€to€the€estates€of€all€decedents,€regardless€of€the€date€of€death,€and€to€all€causes€ofÐ d Ðaction€pending€on€September€1,€1999,€or€brought€after€that€date.ÐØ(  ÐÌò òSec.€10B.€€Communications€or€Records€Relating€to€Decedent's€Condition€Before€Death.ó óÐ ê: ÐÌà  àNotwithstanding€the€Medical€Practice€Act€(Article€4495b,€Vernon's€Texas€Civil€Statutes),€a€person€who€is€aÐ p À Ðparty€to€a€will€contest€or€a€proceeding€in€which€a€party€relies€on€the€mental€or€testamentary€capacity€of€a€decedentÐ 4 „ Ðbefore€the€decedent's€death€as€part€of€the€party's€claim€or€defense€is€entitled€to€production€of€all€communications€orÐ ø H Ðrecords€relevant€to€the€decedent's€condition€before€the€decedent's€death.€€On€receipt€of€a€subpoena€ofÐ ¼  Ðcommunications€or€records€under€this€section€and€proof€of€filing€of€the€will€contest€or€proceeding,€by€òòò òfile„stampedóóÐ € Ð  Ð[ò òcertifiedó ó]ó ó€copy,€€the€appropriate€physician,€hospital,€medical€facility,€custodian€of€records,€or€other€person€inÐ F –  Ðpossession€of€the€communications€or€records€shall€release€the€communications€or€records€to€the€party€requesting€theÐ  \  Ðrecords€without€further€authorization.Ð Ð  ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€1302,€Sec.€2,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1997.€€ò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HBÐ X¨  Ð1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ n  ÐÌÔ*eƒXcYdddxdd (#RcYW°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ¤ô ¤ô  Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ X ÐÌThe€1999€change€means€that€only€a€file„stamped€copy€(not€a€certified€copy)€of€a€document€establishing€a€willÐ ŽÞ Ðcontest€must€be€presented€in€order€to€get€medical€records.Ð R¢ ÐÌThis€change€applies€only€to€the€estate€of€a€person€who€dies€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.Ð Ú* ÐÌò òSec.€15.€€òòCase€Filesóó€[ò òProbate€Minutes€and€Papers€to€Be€Recorded€Thereinó ó].€ó ó€Ð ì< ÐÌà  àThe€county€clerk€shall€òòò òmaintain€a€case€file€for€each€decedent's€estate€in€which€a€probate€proceedingÐ vÆ Ðhas€been€filed.€€The€case€file€must€containóó€[ò òkeep€a€record€book€styled€"Probate€Minutes,"€and€shall€enterÐ <Œ Ðtherein€in€fulló ó]ó ó€all€orders,€judgments,€ò ò[ò òdecrees,ó ó]ó ó€and€proceedings€of€the€court€òòò òand€any€other€probate€filing€withÐ þN Ðthe€courtóó,€òòincluding€allóó€[ò òtogether€with€the€followingó ó]ó ó:Ð Ä ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(1)óó[ò ò(a)Alló ó]ó ó€applications€for€the€probate€of€wills€and€for€the€granting€of€administrationòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ Nž ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(2)óó[ò ò(b)Alló ó]€ó ócitations€and€notices,€whether€published€or€posted,€with€the€returns€thereonòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ Ø(! ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(3)óó[ò ò(c)Alló ó]€ó ówills€and€the€testimony€upon€which€the€same€are€admitted€to€probate,€provided€thatÐ b!²# Ðthe€substance€only€of€depositions€shall€be€recordedòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ ("x$ ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(4)óó[ò ò(d)Alló ó]ó ó€bonds€and€official€oathsòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ ²#& ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(5)óó[ò ò(e)Alló ó]ó ó€inventories,€appraisements,€and€lists€of€claimsòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ <%Œ ( ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(6)óó[ò ò(f)Alló ó]ó ó€exhibits€and€accountsòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ Æ&"* ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(7)óó[ò ò(g)Alló ó]ó ó€reports€of€hiring,€renting,€or€saleòòò ò;óó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ P( #, ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(8)óó[ò ò(h)Alló ó]ó ó€applications€for€sale€or€partition€of€real€estate€and€reports€of€sale€and€ofÐ Ú)*%. Ðcommissioners€of€partitionòòò ò;óó[ò ò.ó ó]ó ó€Ð  *ð%/ ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(9)óó[ò ò(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)Alló ó]ó ó€applications€for€authority€to€execute€leases€for€mineral€development,€or€for€pooling€orÐ *,z'1 Ðunitization€of€lands,€royalty,€or€other€interest€in€minerals,€or€to€lend€or€invest€moneyòòò ò;€andóó€[ò ò.ó ó]€ó óÐ ° ÐÌà  àà ` àòòò ò(10)óó[ò ò(j)Alló ó]ó ó€reports€of€lending€or€investing€money.€ò òÐ :Š Ðó óÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€Amended€by€Acts€1993,€73rd€Leg.,€ch.€957,€Sec.€10,€eff.€Sept.Ð Ä Ð1,€1993.€€ò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€___€(HB€1142),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòò òó óóóÔ*eƒecYfddxdd (#XcYd°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ  b b Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ v Æ ÐÌHB€1142€makes€changes€to€how€the€clerk€keeps€probate€records€and€is€a€recognition€of€the€changing€world€inÐ ü L  Ðwhich€we€live.€€Rather€than€keeping€a€ð ðprobate€minutesðð€book€and€a€ð ðclaims€docket,ðð€HB€1142€permits€the€clerkÐ À   Ðto€keep€probate€information€electronically.€€Also,€every€probate€filing€is€to€be€kept€in€a€case€file,€rather€thanÐ „ Ô  Ðselective€information€being€recorded€in€the€ð ðprobate€minutesðð€(see€Section€15€as€amended).€€Does€ð ðprobate€filingððÐ H˜  Ðinclude€claims?€€If€so,€HB€1142€appears€to€permit€clerks€to€abandon€the€bifurcated€claims€docket/probate€docketÐ  \  Ðsystem€and€keep€everything€in€the€case€file€with€one€electronic€index.Ð Ð  ÐÌHB€1142€amends€Section€15,€17€and€18€and€adds€new€Section€17A.€€It€makes€corresponding€changes€to€SectionsÐ X¨  Ð625,€627€and€628€and€adds€new€Section€627A€regarding€guardianships.€€It€takes€effect€September€1,€1999.Ð l  Ðò òÌSec.€17.€€òòMaintaining€Records€in€Lieu€of€Record€Books.ó óÐ ,| ÐÌóóà  àòòò òIn€lieu€of€keeping€the€record€books€described€by€Sections€13,€14,€and€16€of€this€code,€the€county€clerkÐ ² Ðmay€maintain€the€information€relating€to€a€person's€or€estate's€probate€proceedings€maintained€in€thoseÐ tÄ Ðrecord€books€on€a€computer€file,€on€microfilm,€in€the€form€of€a€digitized€optical€image,€or€in€another€similarÐ 6† Ðform€of€data€compilation.óóÐ øH Ðó óÌòòò òSec.17A.óóIndex.ó óÐ ~Î ÐÌà  àThe€county€clerk€shall€properly€index€òòò òthe€recordsóó€[ò òeach€record€book,ó ó]€ó óand€ò ò[ò òshalló ó]ó ó€keep€òòò òthe€indexóó€[ò òitó ó]ó ó€openÐ T Ðfor€public€inspection,€but€òòò òmayóó€[ò òshalló ó]ó ó€not€òòò òrelease€the€index€from€the€clerk'sóó€[ò òlet€it€out€of€hisó ó]€ó ócustody.€ò òÐ Ê Ðó óÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€ò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€___€(HB€1142),€eff.Ð T¤ ÐSept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ j  ÐÌòòò òó óóóÔ*eƒgcYhddxdd (#ecYf°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ  ð" ð Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ  T# ÐÌSee€explanation€following€Section€15.Ð Š!Ú% Ðò òÌSec.€18.€€Use€of€Records€as€Evidence.ó óÐ š#ê& ÐÌà  àThe€record€books€òòò òor€individual€case€files,€including€records€on€a€computer€file,€on€microfilm,€in€theÐ  %p ( Ðform€of€a€digitized€optical€image,€or€in€another€similar€form€of€data€compilationó óóó€described€in€precedingò òÐ æ%6!) Ðòòsectionsóó€[ò òSectionsó ó]ó ó€of€this€òòò òcodeóó€[ò òCodeó ó]ó ó,€or€certified€copies€òòò òor€reproductions€of€the€recordsóó€[ò òthereofó ó]ó ó,€shall€beÐ ¬&ü!* Ðevidence€in€any€court€of€this€òòò òstateóó€[ò òStateó ó]ó ó.€Ð r'Â"+ ÐÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€.ò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€___€(HB€1142),€eff.Ð ü(L$- ÐSept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ Â)%. ÐÌòòò òó óóóâ âÐ H+˜&0 ÐÔ*eƒicYjddxdd (#gcYh°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ °° Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ d Ðâ âÌSee€explanation€following€Section€15.Ð šê ÐÌÑ€nHÑòòóóò òSec.€52.€€Recorded€Instruments€as€Prima€Facie€Evidence.ó óÐ ¬ü ÐÌà  àòòò ò(a)Aóó€[ò òAnyó ó]ó ó€statement€of€facts€concerning€the€family€history,€genealogy,€marital€status,€or€the€identity€ofÐ 2 ‚ Ðthe€heirs€of€a€decedent€shall€be€received€in€a€proceeding€to€declare€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô,€or€in€òòò òaóó€[ò òanyó ó]€ó ósuit€involving€title€to€realÐ ø H Ðor€personal€property,€as€prima€facie€evidence€of€the€facts€therein€stated,ò ò€òòif€theóó€[ò òwhen€suchó ó]ó ó€statement€is€contained€inÐ ¾  Ðeither€an€affidavit€or€any€other€instrument€legally€executed€and€acknowledged€or€sworn€to€before,€and€certified€by,Ð „ Ô  Ðan€officer€authorized€to€take€acknowledgments€or€oaths€as€applicable,€or€any€judgment€of€a€court€of€record,€òòò òandó óóó€ifÐ H ˜  Ðòòò òtheóó€[ò òsuchó ó]ó ó€affidavit€or€instrument€has€been€of€record€for€five€years€or€more€in€the€deed€records€of€any€county€in€thisÐ ^  Ðstate€in€which€such€real€or€personal€property€is€located€at€the€time€the€suit€is€instituted,€or€in€the€deed€records€of€anyÐ Ô$  Ðcounty€of€this€state€in€which€the€decedent€had€his€domicile€or€fixed€place€of€residence€at€the€time€of€his€death.€€IfÐ ˜è  Ðthere€is€any€error€in€the€statement€of€facts€in€such€recorded€affidavit€or€instrument,€the€true€facts€may€be€proved€byÐ \¬  Ðanyone€interested€in€the€proceeding€in€which€said€affidavit€or€instrument€is€offered€in€evidence.Ð  p  ÐÌà  àòòò ò(b)An€affidavit€of€facts€concerning€the€identity€of€heirs€of€a€decedent€as€to€an€interest€in€realÐ ¨ø  Ðproperty€that€is€filed€in€a€proceeding€or€suit€described€by€Subsection€(a)€of€this€section€may€be€in€the€formÐ jº Ðdescribed€by€Section€52A€of€this€code.óóÐ ,| ÐÌà  àòò(c)An€affidavit€of€facts€concerning€the€identity€of€heirs€of€a€decedent€does€not€affect€the€rights€of€anÐ ° Ðomitted€heir€or€a€creditor€of€the€decedent€as€otherwise€provided€by€law.ó óóó€€This€statute€shall€be€cumulative€of€allÐ r Ðother€statutes€on€the€same€subject,€and€shall€not€be€construed€as€abrogating€any€right€to€present€evidence€òòò òor€to€relyÐ 8ˆ Ðon€an€affidavit€of€factsó óóó€conferred€by€any€other€statute€or€rule€of€law.Ð þN ÐÌòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€Amended€by€Acts€1969,€61st€Leg.,€p.€1922,€ch.€641,€Sec.€4,€eff.Ð ˆØ ÐJune€12,€1969.€€Amended€by€Acts€1991,€72nd€Leg.,€ch.€895,€Sec.€5,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1991.ò ò€€Amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóóÐ Lœ ÐLeg.,€ch.€____€(SB€1106),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ b ÐÌÔ*eƒocYpddxdd (#icYj°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ˜è˜è Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ üL ÐÌó óSB€1106€adopted€a€legislatively„approved€form€for€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô€affidavit€(or,€in€the€statuteððs€vernacular,€an€ð ðaffidavitÐ €Ð! Ðof€facts€concerning€the€identify€of€heirsðð).€€This€primarily€will€be€a€help€to€members€of€the€general€public€whoÐ D”" Ðchoose€to€prepare€and€record€these€affidavits€without€the€assistance€of€a€lawyer,€but€it€also€probably€will€becomeÐ  X# Ðthe€form€of€choice€for€lawyers€as€well.€€Hopefully€its€use€will€assure€that€certain€minimal€Ô_ÔheirshipÔ_Ô€facts€areÐ Ì $ Ðincluded€in€the€affidavit€so€that€title€examiners€are€faced€with€fewer€hard€choices€due€to€marginal€affidavits.Ð !à% ÐÌThe€amendments€to€Section€52€authorize€the€form€and€new€Section€52A€sets€forth€the€terms€of€the€form€itself.€Ð #h' ÐThe€changes€made€by€SB€1106€apply€to€affidavits€made€on€or€after€September€1,€1999,€regardless€of€the€date€ofÐ Ü#,( Ðdeath€of€the€decedent.Ð  $ð) ÐÌÌòòò òSec.52A.Form€of€Affidavit€of€Facts€Concerning€Identity€of€Heirs.ó óÐ v'Æ"+ ÐÌóóà  àòòò òAn€affidavit€of€facts€concerning€the€identity€of€heirs€of€a€decedent€may€be€in€substantially€theÐ ü(L$- Ðfollowing€form:óóÐ ¾)%. ÐÌòòÓ  ÓAFFIDAVIT€OF€FACTS€CONCERNING€THE€IDENTITY€OF€HEIRSóóÐ B+’&0 ÐÓ[ìÓÐ ,T'1 Ðà  àòòBefore€me,€the€undersigned€authority,€on€this€day€personally€appeared€_____________€("Ô_ÔAffiantÔ_Ô")Ð ° Ð(insert€name€of€Ô_ÔaffiantÔ_Ô)€who,€being€first€duly€sworn,€upon€his/her€oath€states:óóÐ r ÐÌà  àòò1.My€name€is€____________€(insert€name€of€Ô_ÔaffiantÔ_Ô),€and€I€live€at€______________€(insert€address€ofÐ öF ÐÔ_ÔaffiantÔ_Ô's€residence).€€I€am€personally€familiar€with€the€family€and€marital€history€of€_____________Ð ¸ Ð("Decedent")€(insert€name€of€decedent),€and€I€have€personal€knowledge€of€the€facts€stated€in€this€affidavit.óóÐ zÊ ÐÌà  àòò2.I€knew€decedent€from€___________€(insert€date)€until€___________€(insert€date).€€Decedent€diedÐ þ N Ðon€__________€(insert€date€of€death).€€Decedent's€place€of€death€was€__________€(insert€place€of€death).€€AtÐ À  Ðthe€time€of€decedent's€death,€decedent's€residence€was€__________€(insert€address€of€decedent's€residence).óóÐ ‚ Ò  ÐÌà  àòò3.Decedent's€marital€history€was€as€follows:€€_________€(insert€marital€history€and,€if€decedent'sÐ  V  Ðspouse€is€deceased,€insert€date€and€place€of€spouse's€death).óóÐ È   ÐÌà  àòò4.Decedent€had€the€following€children:€€__________€(insert€name,€birth€date,€name€of€other€parent,Ð Lœ  Ðand€current€address€of€child€or€date€of€death€of€child€and€descendants€of€deceased€child,€as€applicable,€forÐ ^  Ðeach€child).óóÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àòò5.Decedent€did€not€have€or€adopt€any€other€children€and€did€not€take€any€other€children€intoÐ T¤  Ðdecedent's€home€or€raise€any€other€children,€except:€€___________€(insert€name€of€child€or€names€of€children,Ð f Ðor€state€"none").óóÐ Ø( ÐÌà  àòò6.(Include€if€decedent€was€not€survived€by€descendants.)€€Decedent's€mother€was:€€__________Ð \¬ Ð(insert€name,€birth€date,€and€current€address€or€date€of€death€of€mother,€as€applicable).óóÐ n ÐÌà  àòò7.(Include€if€decedent€was€not€survived€by€descendants.)€€Decedent's€father€was:€€__________€(insertÐ ¢ò Ðname,€birth€date,€and€current€address€or€date€of€death€of€father,€as€applicable).óóÐ d´ ÐÌà  àòò8.(Include€if€decedent€was€not€survived€by€descendants€or€by€both€mother€and€father.)€€DecedentÐ è8 Ðhad€the€following€siblings:€€___________€(insert€name,€birth€date,€and€current€address€or€date€of€death€ofÐ ªú Ðeach€sibling€and€parents€of€each€sibling€and€descendants€of€each€deceased€sibling,€as€applicable,€or€stateÐ l¼ Ð"none").óóÐ .~ ÐÌà  àòò9.(Optional.)€€The€following€persons€have€knowledge€regarding€the€decedent,€the€identity€ofÐ ²! Ðdecedent's€children,€if€any,€parents,€or€siblings,€if€any:€€_____________€(insert€names€of€persons€withÐ tÄ" Ðknowledge,€or€state€"none").óóÐ 6†# ÐÌà  àòò10.Decedent€died€without€leaving€a€written€will.€€(Modify€statement€if€decedent€left€a€written€will.)óóÐ º % ÐÌà  àòò11.There€has€been€no€administration€of€decedent's€estate.€€(Modify€statement€if€there€has€beenÐ >"Ž' Ðadministration€of€decedent's€estate.)óóÐ #P( ÐÌà  àòò12.Decedent€left€no€debts€that€are€unpaid,€except:€€____________€(insert€list€of€debts,€or€stateÐ „$Ô* Ð"none").óóÐ F%– + ÐÌà  àòò13.There€are€no€unpaid€estate€or€inheritance€taxes,€except:€€______________€(insert€list€of€unpaidÐ Ê&"- Ðtaxes,€or€state€"none").óóÐ Œ'Ü". ÐÌà  àòò14.To€the€best€of€my€knowledge,€decedent€owned€an€interest€in€the€following€real€property:€Ð )`$0 Ð________________€(insert€list€of€real€property€in€which€decedent€owned€an€interest,€or€state€"none").óóÐ Ò)"%1 ÐÌà  àòò15.(Optional.)The€following€were€the€heirs€of€decedent:€€__________€(insert€names€of€heirs).óóÐ V+¦&3 ÐÐ ,h'4 Ðà  àòò16.(Insert€additional€information€as€appropriate,€such€as€size€of€the€decedent's€estate.)óóÐ ° ÐÌòòSigned€this€____€day€of€____________,€______.óóÐ 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à______________________Ð ¸ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòò(signatureofÔ_ÔaffiantÔ_Ô)óóÐ zÊ ÐòòState€of€________________óóÐ < Œ ÐòòCounty€of€_______________óóÐ þ N ÐÌòòSworn€to€and€subscribed€to€before€me€on€________________€(date)€by€_____________________€(insert€nameÐ ‚ Ò  Ðof€Ô_ÔaffiantÔ_Ô).óóÐ D ”  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_______________________________Ð È   Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòò(signatureofnotarialofficer)óóÐ ŠÚ  Ðòò(Seal,ifany,ofnotary)óóà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_______________________________Ð Lœ  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòò(printedname)óóÐ ^  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àòòMycommissionexpires:________ó óóóÐ Ð  ÐÌò òòòAdded€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(SB€1106),€Ô_ÔeffÔ_Ô.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ V¦  Ðòòò òó óóóÌÔ*eƒqcYrddxdd (#ocYp°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ Ü,Ü, Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ @ ÐÌó óSee€comment€following€Section€52.Ð Ä ÐòòóóÌò òSec.€95.€€Probate€of€Foreign€Will€Accomplished€by€Filing€and€Recording.ó óÐ Ö& Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð ˜è Ðà  à(a)€Foreign€Will€May€Be€Probated.€€The€written€will€of€a€testator€who€was€not€domiciled€in€Texas€at€theÐ \¬ Ðtime€of€his€death€which€would€affect€any€real€or€personal€property€in€this€State,€may€be€admitted€to€probate€uponÐ  p Ðproof€that€it€stands€probated€or€established€in€any€of€the€United€States,€its€territories,€the€District€of€Columbia,€or€anyÐ ä4 Ðforeign€nation.Ð ¨ø Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð l¼ Ðà  à(b)€Application€and€Citation.Ð 0€ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð ôD  Ðà  àà ` à(1)€Will€probated€in€domiciliary€jurisdiction.€€If€a€foreign€will€has€been€admitted€to€probate€orÐ ¸! Ðestablished€in€the€jurisdiction€in€which€the€testator€was€domiciled€at€the€time€of€his€death,€the€application€need€stateÐ |Ì" Ðonly€that€probate€is€requested€on€the€basis€of€the€authenticated€copy€of€the€foreign€proceedings€in€which€the€will€wasÐ @ # Ðprobated€or€established.€€No€citation€or€notice€is€required.Ð !T$ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð È!% Ðà  àà ` à(2)€Will€probated€in€non-domiciliary€jurisdiction.€€If€a€foreign€will€has€been€admitted€to€probate€orÐ Œ"Ü& Ðestablished€in€any€jurisdiction€other€than€the€domicile€of€the€testator€at€the€time€of€his€death,€the€application€for€itsÐ P# ' Ðprobate€shall€contain€all€of€the€information€required€in€an€application€for€the€probate€of€a€domestic€will,€and€shallÐ $d( Ðalso€set€out€the€name€and€address€of€each€devisee€and€each€person€who€will€be€entitled€to€a€portion€of€the€estate€as€anÐ Ø$( ) Ðheir€in€the€absence€of€a€will.€€Citations€shall€be€issued€and€served€on€each€such€devisee€and€heir€by€registered€orÐ œ%ì * Ðcertified€mail.Ð `&°!+ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð $'t", Ðà  à(c)Copy€of€Will€and€Proceedings€To€Be€Filed.€€A€copy€of€the€will€and€of€the€judgment,€order,€or€decree€byÐ è'8#- Ðwhich€it€was€admitted€to€probate€or€otherwise€established,€attested€by€òòò òand€with€the€original€signature€ofó óóó€the€clerkÐ ¬(ü#. Ðof€the€court€or€òòò òofóó€[ò òbyó ó]ó ó€such€other€official€as€has€custody€of€such€will€or€is€in€charge€of€probate€records,€with€the€sealÐ r)Â$/ Ðof€the€court€affixed,€€if€there€is€a€seal,€together€with€a€certificate€òòò òcontaining€the€original€signatureó óóó€of€the€judge€orÐ 8*ˆ%0 Ðpresiding€magistrate€of€such€court€that€the€said€€attestation€is€in€due€form,€shall€be€filed€with€the€application.€Ð þ*N&1 Ðòòò òOriginal€signatures€shall€not€be€required€for€Ô_ÔrecordationÔ_Ô€in€the€deed€records€pursuant€to€Sections€96€throughÐ Â+'2 Ð99€or€Section€107€of€this€code.óó€ó óÐ ° Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð r Ðà  à(d)€Probate€Accomplished€by€Recording.Ð 6† Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð úJ Ðà  àà ` à(1)€Will€admitted€in€domiciliary€jurisdiction.€€If€the€will€has€been€probated€or€established€in€theÐ ¾ Ðjurisdiction€in€which€the€testator€was€domiciled€at€the€time€of€his€death,€it€shall€be€the€ministerial€duty€of€the€clerk€toÐ ‚Ò Ðrecord€such€will€and€the€evidence€of€its€probate€or€establishment€in€the€minutes€of€the€court.€€No€order€of€the€court€isÐ F – Ðnecessary.€€When€so€filed€and€recorded,€the€will€shall€be€deemed€to€be€admitted€to€probate,€and€shall€have€the€sameÐ  Z Ðforce€and€effect€for€all€purposes€as€if€the€original€will€had€been€probated€by€order€of€the€court,€subject€to€contest€inÐ Î  Ðthe€manner€and€to€the€extent€hereinafter€provided.Ð ’ â  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð V ¦  Ðà  àà ` à(2)€Will€admitted€in€non-domiciliary€jurisdiction.€€If€the€will€has€been€probated€or€established€inÐ  j  Ðanother€jurisdiction€not€the€domicile€of€the€testator,€its€probate€in€this€State€may€be€contested€in€the€same€manner€asÐ Þ .  Ðif€the€testator€had€been€domiciled€in€this€State€at€the€time€of€his€death.€€If€no€contest€is€filed,€the€clerk€shall€recordÐ ¢ò  Ðsuch€will€and€the€evidence€of€its€probate€or€establishment€in€the€minutes€of€the€court,€and€no€order€of€the€court€shallÐ f¶  Ðbe€necessary.€€When€so€filed€and€recorded,€it€shall€be€deemed€to€be€admitted€to€probate,€and€shall€have€the€sameÐ *z  Ðforce€and€effect€for€all€purposes€as€if€the€original€will€had€been€probated€by€order€of€the€court,€subject€to€contest€inÐ î>  Ðthe€manner€and€to€the€extent€hereafter€provided.Ð ²  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð vÆ  Ðà  à(e)€Effect€of€Foreign€Will€on€Local€Property.€€If€a€foreign€will€has€been€admitted€to€probate€or€establishedÐ :Š Ðin€the€jurisdiction€in€which€the€testator€was€domiciled€at€the€time€of€his€death,€such€will,€when€probated€as€hereinÐ þN Ðprovided,€shall€be€effectual€to€dispose€of€both€real€and€personal€property€in€this€State€irrespective€of€whether€suchÐ Â Ðwill€was€executed€with€the€formalities€required€by€this€Code.Ð †Ö Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð Jš Ðà  à(f)€Protection€of€Purchasers.€€When€a€foreign€will€has€been€probated€in€this€State€in€accordance€with€theÐ ^ Ðprocedure€prescribed€in€this€section€for€a€will€that€has€been€admitted€to€probate€in€the€domicile€of€the€testator,€and€itÐ Ò" Ðis€later€proved€in€a€proceeding€brought€for€that€purpose€that€the€foreign€jurisdiction€in€which€the€will€was€admitted€toÐ –æ Ðprobate€was€not€in€fact€the€domicile€of€the€testator,€the€probate€in€this€State€shall€be€set€aside.€€If€any€person€hasÐ Zª Ðpurchased€property€from€the€personal€representative€or€any€legatee€or€devisee,€in€good€faith€and€for€value,€orÐ n Ðotherwise€dealt€with€any€of€them€in€good€faith,€prior€to€the€commencement€of€the€proceeding,€his€title€or€rights€shallÐ â2 Ðnot€be€affected€by€the€fact€that€the€probate€in€this€State€is€subsequently€set€aside.Ð ¦ö Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ à€€€€€Ð jº ÐòòActs€1955,€54th€Leg.,€p.€88,€ch.€55,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1956.€€Amended€by€Acts€1971,€62nd€Leg.,€p.€976,€ch.€173,€Sec.€9,€eff.Ð .~  ÐJan.€1,€1972.ò ò€€Amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€___€(HB€1176),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ òB! ÐÌÔ*eƒvcYwddxdd (#qcYr°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ |Ì#|Ì Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€Amendmentó óˆÐ à0$ ÐÌThe€impetus€for€HB€1176€was€a€problem€that€the€Taylor€County€Clerk€had€with€a€foreign€probate€filing.€€TheÐ f!¶& Ðexemplified€copies€offered€for€filing€included€mechanical€or€computer„generated€signatures€for€the€clerk,€orÐ *"z' Ðjudge,€or€both.€€The€clerk€thought€the€exemplified€copies€should€have€original€signatures,€so€HB€1176€was€born.Ð î">( ÐÌNote€that,€as€finally€passed,€HB€1176€requires€original€signatures€when€a€foreign€will€is€offered€for€probate,€butÐ v$Æ* Ðapparently€òònotóó€when€the€exemplified€copies€merely€are€being€recorded€in€the€real€property€records.€€This€is€a€littleÐ :%Š + Ðconfusing,€since€Section€96€says€that€the€certification,€etc.,€required€by€Section€95€must€be€included,€whileÐ þ%N!, ÐSection€95€says€original€signatures€are€not€required€for€Section€96€purposes.€€Nonetheless,€the€distinction€betweenÐ Â&"- Ðfilings€for€probate€(requiring€original€signatures)€and€real€property€filings€(apparently€not€requiring€originalÐ †'Ö". Ðsignatures)€is€fairly€clear.Ð J(š#/ ÐÌThis€change€applies€only€to€the€application€for€the€probate€of€a€foreign€will€filed€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.Ð Ò)"%1 ÐÌò òSec.€105A.€€Appointment€and€Service€of€Foreign€Banks€and€Trust€Companies€in€Fiduciary€Capacity.ó óÐ ä+4'2 Їà  à(ò òa)òòA€corporate€fiduciary€that€does€not€have€its€main€office€or€a€branch€office€in€this€state,Ð ° Ðhereinafter€called€"foreign€corporate€fiduciaries"óó€[ò òAny€bank€or€trust€company€organized€under€the€laws€of,Ð vÆ Ðand€having€its€principal€office€in,€the€District€of€Columbia€or€any€territory€or€state€of€the€United€States€ofÐ 8ˆ ÐAmerica,€other€than€the€State€of€Texas,€and€any€national€bank€having€its€principal€office€in€the€District€ofÐ úJ ÐColumbia€or€such€territory€or€other€state€(all€such€banks€or€trust€companies€being€hereinafter€sometimesÐ ¼  Ðcalled€"foreign€banks€or€trust€companies")ó ó]ó ó,€having€the€corporate€power€to€so€act,€may€be€appointed€and€mayÐ ~Î Ðserve€in€the€State€of€Texas€as€trustee€(whether€of€a€personal€or€corporate€trust),€executor,€administrator,€guardian€ofÐ D ” Ðthe€estate,€or€in€any€other€fiduciary€capacity,€whether€the€appointment€be€by€will,€deed,€agreement,€declaration,Ð  X Ðindenture,€court€order€or€decree,€or€otherwise,€when€and€to€the€extent€that€the€òòò òhome€state€of€the€corporateÐ Ì  Ðfiduciaryóó€[ò òDistrict€of€Columbia€or€territory€or€other€state€in€which€such€foreign€bank€or€trust€company€isÐ ’ â  Ðorganized€and€has€its€principal€officeó ó]ó ó€grants€authority€to€serve€in€like€fiduciary€€capacity€to€a€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryÐ T ¤  Ðwhose€home€state€is€this€stateóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€company€organized€under€the€laws€of,€and€having€its€principalÐ  j  Ðoffice€in,€the€State€of€Texas,€or€to€a€national€bank€having€its€principal€office€in€the€State€of€Texasó ó]ó ó.€Ð Ü ,  ÐÌà  à(b)Before€qualifying€or€serving€in€the€State€of€Texas€in€any€fiduciary€capacity,€as€aforesaid,€such€a€foreignÐ f¶  Ðòòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€companyó ó]ó ó€shall€file€in€the€office€of€the€Secretary€of€the€State€of€the€State€ofÐ *z  ÐTexas€(1)€a€copy€of€its€charter,€articles€of€incorporation€or€of€association,€and€all€amendments€thereto,€certified€by€itsÐ ð@  Ðsecretary€under€its€corporate€seal;€(2)€a€duly€executed€instrument€in€writing,€by€its€terms€of€indefinite€duration€andÐ ´  Ðirrevocable,€appointing€the€Secretary€of€State€and€his€successors€its€agent€for€service€of€process€upon€whom€allÐ xÈ  Ðnotices€and€processes€issued€by€any€court€of€this€state€may€be€served€in€any€action€or€proceeding€relating€to€any€trust,Ð <Œ Ðestate,€fund€or€other€matter€within€this€state€with€respect€to€which€such€foreign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trustÐ P Ðcompanyó ó]ó ó€is€acting€in€any€fiduciary€capacity,€including€the€acts€or€defaults€of€such€foreign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóóÐ Æ Ð[ò òbank€or€trust€companyó ó]ó ó€with€respect€to€any€such€trust,€estate€or€fund;€and€(3)€a€written€certificate€of€designation,Ð ŒÜ Ðwhich€may€be€changed€from€time€to€time€thereafter€by€the€filing€of€a€new€certificate€of€designation,€specifying€theÐ R¢ Ðname€and€address€of€the€officer,€agent€or€other€person€to€whom€such€notice€or€process€shall€be€forwarded€by€theÐ f ÐSecretary€of€State.€Upon€receipt€of€such€notice€or€process,€it€shall€be€the€duty€of€the€Secretary€of€State€forthwith€toÐ Ú* Ðforward€same€by€registered€or€certified€mail€to€the€officer,€agent€or€other€person€so€designated.€Service€of€notice€orÐ žî Ðprocess€upon€the€Secretary€of€State€as€agent€for€such€a€foreign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€companyó ó]ó ó€shallÐ b² Ðin€all€ways€and€for€all€purposes€have€the€same€effect€as€if€personal€service€had€been€had€within€this€state€upon€suchÐ (x Ðforeign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€companyó ó]ó ó.€Ð ì< ÐÌà  à(ò òc)[ò òNo€foreign€bank€or€trust€company€shall€establish€or€maintain€any€branch€office,€agency€or€otherÐ vÆ Ðplace€of€business€within€this€state,€or€shall€in€any€way€solicit,€directly€or€indirectly,€any€fiduciary€business€inÐ <Œ  Ðthis€state€of€the€types€embraced€by€subdivision€(a)€hereof.€Except€as€authorized€herein€or€as€may€otherwise€beÐ þN! Ðauthorized€by€the€laws€of€this€state,€no€foreign€bank€or€trust€company€shall€act€in€a€fiduciary€capacity€in€thisÐ À" Ðstate.€Nothing€in€this€Section€shall€be€construed€to€authorize€foreign€banks€and€trust€companies€to€issue€or€toÐ ‚Ò# Ðsell€or€otherwise€market€or€distribute€in€this€state€any€investment€certificates,€trust€certificates,€or€other€typesÐ D ”$ Ðof€securities€(including€without€limiting€the€generality€of€the€foregoing€any€securities€of€the€types€authorizedÐ !V% Ðby€Chapter€7€of€the€Insurance€Code€of€1951€prior€to€the€repeal€thereof),€or€to€conduct€any€activities€orÐ È!& Ðexercise€any€powers€of€the€type€embraced€and€regulated€by€the€Texas€Banking€Act€(Article€342-1.001€et€seq.,Ð Š"Ú' ÐVernon's€Texas€Civil€Statutes)€or€the€Texas€Trust€Company€Act€other€than€those€conducted€and€exercised€inÐ L#œ( Ða€fiduciary€capacity€under€the€terms€and€conditions€hereof.ó ó€Ð $^) ÐÌà  à[ò ò(d)ó ó]ó óAny€foreign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€companyó ó]ó ó€acting€in€a€fiduciary€capacity€in€this€stateÐ ’%â + Ðin€strict€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€this€Section€shall€not€be€deemed€to€be€doing€business€in€the€State€of€TexasÐ X&¨!, Ðwithin€the€meaning€of€Article€8.01€of€the€Texas€Business€Corporation€Act;€òòò òandóó€ó óshall€be€deemed€qualified€to€serve€inÐ 'l"- Ðsuch€capacity€under€the€provisions€of€Section€105€of€this€Codeòòò ò.óóó ó€ò ò[ò ò;€and€notwithstanding€other€law€shall€not€beÐ â'2#. Ðprohibited€from€using€in€its€name€and€stationery€the€terms€"bank,"€"trust,"€or€"bank€and€trust."ó ó]ó óÐ ¨(ø#/ ÐÌà  àòòò ò(d)óó[ò ò(e)ó ó]ó óThe€provisions€hereof€are€in€addition€to,€and€not€a€limitation€on,€the€provisions€of€òòò òSubtitle€G,Ð .*~%1 ÐFinance€Code,€and€the€Texas€Trust€Company€Act€(Article€342a-1.001€et€seq.,€Vernon's€Texas€Civil€Statutes)óóÐ ô*D&2 Ð[ò òSection€2€of€Chapter€388,€Acts€of€the€55th€Legislature,€Regular€Session,€1957ó ó]ó ó.€Ð ¶+'3 Їà  àòòò ò(e)óó[ò ò(f)ó ó]ó óAny€foreign€òòò òcorporate€fiduciaryóó€[ò òbank€or€trust€Companyó ó]€ó ówhich€shall€violate€any€provision€ofÐ ° Ðthis€Section€105a€shall€be€guilty€of€a€misdemeanor€and,€upon€conviction€thereof,€shall€be€subject€to€a€fine€of€notÐ vÆ Ðexceeding€Five€Thousand€Dollars€($5,000.00),€and€may,€in€the€discretion€of€the€court,€be€prohibited€from€thereafterÐ :Š Ðserving€in€this€state€in€any€fiduciary€capacity.€Ð þN ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1961,€57th€Leg.,€p.€46,€ch.€31,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€28,€1961.€€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(c),€(d)€amended€by€Acts€1995,Ð †Ö Ð74th€Leg.,€ch.€914,€Sec.€10,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(c)€amended€by€Acts€1997,€75th€Leg.,€ch.€769,€Sec.€5,€eff.Ð J š ÐSept.€1,€1997.ò ò€€Amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€2066),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ  ^ ÐÌÔ*eƒxcYyddxdd (#vcYw°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ˜ è ˜ è Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ ü L  ÐÌó óThe€Interstate€Banking€Act,€HB€2066,€amended€Section€105A,€regarding€foreign€corporate€fiduciaries,€to€beÐ € Ð  Ðconsistent€with€the€stateððs€restructured€banking€laws.Ð D”  ÐòòóóÌòòò òSec.128B.Notice€When€Will€Probated€after€Four€Years.ó óÐ V¦  ÐÌóóò òà  àòò(a)€€Except€as€provided€by€Subsection€(b)€of€this€section,€an€applicant€for€the€probate€of€a€will€underÐ Ü,  ÐSection€73(a)€of€this€code€must€give€notice€by€service€of€process€to€each€of€the€testator's€heirs€whose€addressÐ žî  Ðcan€be€ascertained€by€the€applicant€with€reasonable€diligence.€€The€notice€must€be€given€before€the€probate€ofÐ `° Ðthe€testator's€will.óó€Ð "r ÐÌà  àòò(b)Notice€under€Subsection€(a)€€of€this€section€is€not€required€to€be€provided€to€an€heir€who€hasÐ ¦ö Ðdelivered€to€the€court€an€affidavit€signed€by€the€heir€stating€that€the€heir€does€not€object€to€the€offer€of€theÐ h¸ Ðtestator's€will€for€probate.óó€Ð *z ÐÌà  àòò(c)The€notice€required€by€this€section€and€an€affidavit€described€by€Subsection€(b)€of€this€sectionÐ ®þ Ðmust€also€contain€a€statement€that:óóÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(1)the€testator's€property€will€pass€to€the€testator's€heirs€if€the€will€is€not€admitted€toÐ ôD Ðprobate;€andóóÐ ¶ ÐÌà  àà ` àòò(2)the€person€offering€the€testator's€will€for€probate€may€not€be€in€default€for€failing€toÐ :Š Ðpresent€the€will€for€probate€during€the€four-year€period€immediately€following€the€testator's€death.óó€Ð üL  ÐÌà  àòò(d)If€the€address€of€any€of€the€testator's€heirs€cannot€be€ascertained€by€the€applicant€withÐ €Ð" Ðreasonable€diligence,€the€court€shall€appoint€an€attorney€ad€litem€to€protect€the€interests€of€the€unknown€heirsÐ B ’# Ðafter€an€application€for€the€probate€of€a€will€is€made€under€Section€73(a)€of€this€code.óó€Ð !T$ ÐÌà  àòò(e)In€the€case€of€an€application€for€the€probate€of€a€will€of€a€testator€who€has€had€another€willÐ ˆ"Ø& Ðadmitted€to€probate,€this€section€applies€to€a€beneficiary€of€the€testator's€probated€will€instead€of€theÐ J#š' Ðtestator's€heirs.óó€ó óÐ  $\( ÐÌòòò òAdded€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€_____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ ’%â * ÐÌÔ*eƒzcY{ddxdd (#xcYy°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 'h",'h" €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ |'Ì"- ÐÌó óNew€Section€128A€was€added€to€HB€1852€ð"ð€the€probate€bill€of€the€Real€Estate,€Probate€and€Trust€Law€SectionÐ )P$/ Ðof€the€State€Bar€of€Texas€ð"ð€as€part€of€a€compromise€between€the€probate€lawyersðð€group€and€some€of€theÐ Ä)%0 Ðstatutory€probate€judges.€€In€1997,€legislation€backed€by€the€statutory€probate€judges€enacted€Sections€89A€andÐ ˆ*Ø%1 Ð89B€and€renumbered€Section€89C€regarding€probating€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title.€€While€the€legislative€historyÐ L+œ&2 Ðof€the€1997€legislation€made€it€clear€that€no€substantive€change€was€intended,€on€its€face€the€1997€legislationÐ ,`'3 Ðcalled€into€question€the€ability€to€probate€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€the€testatorððsÐ d Ðdeath.€€(Section€89B€required€proof€that€four€years€had€not€elapsed€since€the€testatorððs€death,€even€though€SectionÐ Ø( Ð73€permits€probate€of€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€death€in€some€cases.)Ð œì ÐÌIn€HB€1852€as€originally€introduced,€the€Real€Estate,€Probate€and€Trust€Law€Section€tried€to€clear€up€theÐ $t Ðconfusion€caused€by€the€1997€legislation,€but€some€probate€judges€opposed€the€clean„up€effort,€jeopardizing€HBÐ è8 Ð1852.€€As€a€compromise,€the€probate€lawyers€group€agreed€to€the€addition€of€Section€128A€to€HB€1852€whileÐ ¬ ü Ðdropping€the€Section€89A€and€89B€clean„up€effort.Ð p À ÐÌNew€Section€128A€sets€forth€new€citation€rules€when€a€will€is€to€be€probated€more€than€four€years€after€theÐ ø H  Ðtestatorððs€death.€€It€requires€notice€to€the€testatorððs€heirs€(or,€if€a€prior€will€was€probated,€to€the€beneficiaries€underÐ ¼   Ðthe€prior€will)€of€an€attempt€to€probate€a€will€more€than€four€years€after€the€testatorððs€death.€€Section€128A€makesÐ € Ð  Ðno€sense€unless€it€is€still€possible€to€probate€a€will€as€a€muniment€of€title€more€than€four€years€after€the€testatorððsÐ D”  Ðdeath,€so€the€probate€lawyers€indirectly€have€accomplished€one€of€their€purposes€ð"ð€assuring€that€the€1997Ð X  Ðlegislation€did€not€take€away€that€possibility.€€In€so€doing,€however,€the€lawyers€group€had€to€accept€this€newÐ Ì  Ðcitation€requirement€when€probating€stale€wills.Ð à  ÐÌSection€128A€applies€to€the€estates€of€persons€dying€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.€€That€means€it€will€not€applyÐ h  Ðto€attempts€to€probate€a€stale€will€until€at€least€September€1,€2003.€€The€law€in€effect€prior€to€the€enactment€ofÐ Ü, ÐSection€128A€(which€did€not€include€the€new€citation€rules)€applies€to€persons€dying€prior€to€September€1,€1999.Рð  ÐÌò òSec.€149A.€€Accounting.ó óÐ ² ÐÌà  à(a)€Interested€Person€May€Demand€Accounting.€€At€any€time€after€the€expiration€of€fifteen€months€from€theÐ 8ˆ Ðdate€that€an€independent€administration€was€created€and€the€order€appointing€an€independent€executor€was€enteredÐ üL Ðby€the€county€court,€any€person€interested€in€the€estate€may€demand€an€accounting€from€the€independent€executor.€Ð À ÐThe€independent€executor€shall€thereupon€furnish€to€the€person€or€persons€making€the€demand€an€exhibit€in€writing,Ð „Ô Ðsworn€and€subscribed€by€the€independent€executor,€setting€forth€in€detail:Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` à1.€€The€property€belonging€to€the€estate€which€has€come€into€his€hands€as€executor.Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à2.€€The€disposition€that€has€been€made€of€such€property.Ð X¨ ÐÌà  àà ` à3.€€The€debts€that€have€been€paid.Ð à0! ÐÌà  àà ` à4.€€The€debts€and€expenses,€if€any,€still€owing€by€the€estate.Ð h ¸# ÐÌà  àà ` à5.€€The€property€of€the€estate,€if€any,€still€remaining€in€his€hands.Ð ð!@% ÐÌà  àà ` à6.€€Such€other€facts€as€may€be€necessary€to€a€full€and€definite€understanding€of€the€exact€conditionÐ x#È' Ðof€the€estate.Ð <$Œ( ÐÌà  àà ` à7.€€Such€facts,€if€any,€that€show€why€the€administration€should€not€be€closed€and€the€estateÐ Ä%!* Ðdistributed.Ð ˆ&Ø!+ ÐÌà  àAny€other€interested€person€shall,€upon€demand,€be€entitled€to€a€copy€of€any€exhibit€or€accounting€that€hasÐ (`#- Ðbeen€made€by€an€independent€executor€in€compliance€with€this€section.Ð Ô($$. ÐÌà  à(b)Enforcement€of€Demand.€€€Should€the€independent€executor€not€comply€with€a€demand€for€anÐ \*¬%0 Ðaccounting€authorized€by€this€section€within€sixty€days€after€receipt€of€the€demand,€the€person€making€the€demandÐ  +p&1 Ðmay€compel€compliance€by€an€action€in€the€county€courtòòò ò,€as€that€term€is€defined€by€Section€3€of€this€codeóó€[ò òor€by€aÐ ä+4'2 Ðsuit€in€the€district€courtó ó]ó ó.€€After€a€hearing,€the€court€shall€enter€an€order€requiring€the€accounting€to€be€made€at€suchÐ ° Ðtime€as€it€deems€proper€under€the€circumstances.€Ð vÆ ÐÌà  à(c)€Subsequent€Demands.€€After€an€initial€accounting€has€been€given€by€an€independent€executor,€anyÐ þN Ðperson€interested€in€an€estate€may€demand€subsequent€periodic€accountings€at€intervals€of€not€less€than€twelveÐ Â Ðmonths,€and€such€subsequent€demands€may€be€enforced€in€the€same€manner€as€an€initial€demand.Ð †Ö ÐÌà  à(d)€Remedies€Cumulative.€€The€right€to€an€accounting€accorded€by€this€section€is€cumulative€of€any€otherÐ  ^ Ðremedies€which€persons€interested€in€an€estate€may€have€against€the€independent€executor€thereof.Ð Ò " ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1971,€62nd€Leg.,€p.€980,€ch.€173,€Sec.€10,€eff.€Jan.€1,€1972.€€Amended€by€Acts€1973,€63rd€Leg.,€p.Ð Z ª  Ð412,€ch.€184,€Sec.€1,€eff.€May€25,€1973;€Acts€1977,€65th€Leg.,€p.€1065,€ch.€390,€Sec.€6,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1977.ò ò€€AmendedÐ  n  Ðby€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ ä 4  ÐÌÔ*eƒ}cY~ddxdd (#zcY{°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ jº jº  Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ Î  ÐÌó óIn€Section€3(e)€ð ðCounty€Courtðð€is€defined€to€include€all€county€and€district€courts€exercising€probate€jurisdiction.€Ð R¢  ÐHB€1852€amends€Section€149A,€149B€and€149C€to€be€consistent€with€this€definition.Ð f  ÐÌò òSec.€149B.€€Accounting€and€Distribution.ó óÐ (x ÐÌà  à(a)In€addition€to€or€in€lieu€of€the€right€to€an€accounting€provided€by€Section€149A€of€this€code,€at€any€timeÐ ®þ Ðafter€the€expiration€of€two€years€from€the€date€that€an€independent€administration€was€created€and€the€orderÐ r Ðappointing€an€independent€executor€was€entered,€a€person€interested€in€the€estate€may€petition€theò ò€òòcountyó óóó€courtòòò ò,€asÐ 6† Ðthat€term€is€defined€by€Section€3€of€this€code,ó óóó€for€an€accounting€and€distribution.€€ò ò[ò òThe€proceeding€for€anÐ üL Ðaccounting€and€distribution€may€be€brought€in€the€county€court€if€the€county€judge€is€licensed€to€practice€lawÐ Â Ðin€the€State€of€Texas€or€may€be€brought€in€a€statutory€probate€court,€a€county€court€at€law€with€probateÐ „Ô Ðjurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€of€the€county.ó ó]ó ó€€The€court€may€order€an€accounting€to€be€made€with€the€court€byÐ F– Ðthe€independent€executor€at€such€time€as€the€court€deems€proper.€€The€accounting€shall€include€the€information€thatÐ  \ Ðthe€court€deems€necessary€to€determine€whether€any€part€of€the€estate€should€be€distributed.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  à(b)€On€receipt€of€the€accounting€and,€after€notice€to€the€independent€executor€and€a€hearing,€unless€the€courtÐ X¨ Ðfinds€a€continued€necessity€for€administration€of€the€estate,€the€court€shall€order€its€distribution€by€the€independentÐ l  Ðexecutor€to€the€persons€entitled€to€the€property.€€If€the€court€finds€there€is€a€continued€necessity€for€administration€ofÐ à0! Ðthe€estate,€the€court€shall€order€the€distribution€of€any€portion€of€the€estate€that€the€court€finds€should€not€be€subjectÐ ¤ô" Ðto€further€administration€by€the€independent€executor.€€If€any€portion€of€the€estate€that€is€ordered€to€be€distributed€isÐ h ¸# Ðincapable€of€distribution€without€prior€partition€or€sale,€the€court€shall€order€partition€and€distribution,€or€sale,€in€theÐ ,!|$ Ðmanner€provided€for€the€partition€and€distribution€of€property€incapable€of€division€in€estates€administered€under€theÐ ð!@% Ðdirection€of€the€county€court.Ð ´"& ÐÌà  à(c)€If€all€the€property€in€the€estate€is€ordered€distributed€by€the€executor€and€the€estate€is€fully€administered,Ð <$Œ( Ðthe€court€also€may€order€the€independent€executor€to€file€a€final€account€with€the€court€and€may€enter€an€orderÐ %P ) Ðclosing€the€administration€and€terminating€the€power€of€the€independent€executor€to€act€as€executor.Ð Ä%!* ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1751,€ch.€713,€Sec.€18,€eff.€Aug.€27,€1979.€€Ô_ÔSubsecsÔ_Ô.€(a)€and€(b)€amended€by€ActsÐ L'œ", Ð1985,€69th€Leg.,€ch.€882,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€26,€1985;€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(a)€amended€by€Acts€1987,€70th€Leg.,€ch.€760,€Sec.€1,Ð (`#- Ðeff.€Aug.€31,€1987;€Subsec.€(b)€amended€by€Acts€1987,€70th€Leg.,€ch.€565,€Sec.€1,€eff.€June€18,€1987.ò ò€€Amended€byÐ Ô($$. ÐActs€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ š)ê$/ Ðâ âÐ \*¬%0 ÐÔ*eƒ€cYddxdd (#}cY~°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ °° Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ d Ðâ âÌó óIn€Section€3(e)€ð ðCounty€Courtðð€is€defined€to€include€all€county€and€district€courts€exercising€probate€jurisdiction.€Ð ˜è ÐHB€1852€amends€Section€149A,€149B€and€149C€to€be€consistent€with€this€definition.Ð \¬ ÐÌò òSec.€149C.€€Removal€of€Independent€Executor.ó óÐ n ¾ ÐÌà  à(a)The€county€courtòòò ò,€as€that€term€is€defined€by€Section€3€of€this€codeóó[ò ò,€a€statutory€probate€court,€aÐ ô D Ðcounty€court€at€law€with€probate€jurisdiction,€or€a€district€court€of€the€countyó ó]ó ó,€on€its€own€motion€or€on€motionÐ º  Ðof€any€interested€person,€after€the€independent€executor€has€been€cited€by€personal€service€to€answer€at€a€time€andÐ € Ð  Ðplace€fixed€in€the€notice,€may€remove€an€independent€executor€when:Ð D ”  ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€the€independent€executor€fails€to€return€within€ninety€days€after€qualification,€unless€such€timeÐ Ì  Ðis€extended€by€order€of€the€court,€an€inventory€of€the€property€of€the€estate€and€list€of€claims€that€have€come€to€hisÐ à  Ðknowledge;Ð T¤  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€sufficient€grounds€appear€to€support€belief€that€he€has€misapplied€or€embezzled,€or€that€he€isÐ Ü,  Ðabout€to€misapply€or€embezzle,€all€or€any€part€of€the€property€committed€to€his€care;Ð  ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à(3)€he€fails€to€make€an€accounting€which€is€required€by€law€to€be€made;€Ð (x ÐÌà  àà ` à(4)€he€fails€to€timely€file€the€notice€required€by€Section€128A€of€this€code;Ð ° ÐÌà  àà ` à(5)€he€is€proved€to€have€been€guilty€of€gross€misconduct€or€gross€mismanagement€in€theÐ 8ˆ Ðperformance€of€his€duties;€orÐ üL ÐÌà  àà ` à(6)€he€becomes€an€incapacitated€person,€or€is€sentenced€to€the€penitentiary,€or€from€any€other€causeÐ „Ô Ðbecomes€legally€incapacitated€from€properly€performing€his€fiduciary€duties.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  à(b)€The€order€of€removal€shall€state€the€cause€of€removal€and€shall€direct€by€order€the€disposition€of€theÐ Ð  Ðassets€remaining€in€the€name€or€under€the€control€of€the€removed€executor.€€The€order€of€removal€shall€require€thatÐ ”ä Ðletters€issued€to€the€removed€executor€shall€be€surrendered€and€that€all€letters€shall€be€canceled€of€record.€€If€anÐ X¨ Ðindependent€executor€is€removed€by€the€court€under€this€section,€the€court€may,€on€application,€appoint€a€successorÐ l  Ðindependent€executor€as€provided€by€Section€154A€of€this€code.Ð à0! ÐÌà  à(c)€An€independent€executor€who€defends€an€action€for€his€removal€in€good€faith,€whether€successful€or€not,Ð h ¸# Ðshall€be€allowed€out€of€the€estate€his€necessary€expenses€and€disbursements,€including€reasonable€attorney's€fees,€inÐ ,!|$ Ðthe€removal€proceedings.Ð ð!@% ÐÌà  à(d)€Costs€and€expenses€incurred€by€the€party€seeking€removal€incident€to€removal€of€an€independentÐ x#È' Ðexecutor€appointed€without€bond,€including€reasonable€attorney's€fees€and€expenses,€may€be€paid€out€of€the€estate.Ð <$Œ( ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1979,€66th€Leg.,€p.€1751,€ch.€713,€Sec.€19,€eff.€Aug.€27,€1979.€€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(d)€added€by€Acts€1987,€70thÐ Ä%!* ÐLeg.,€ch.€719,€Sec.€1,€eff.€Aug.€31,€1987.€€Ô_ÔSubsecÔ_Ô.€(a)€amended€by€Acts€1989,€71st€Leg.,€ch.€1035,€Sec.€10,€eff.€Sept.Ð ˆ&Ø!+ Ð1,€1989;€amended€by€Acts€1995,€74th€Leg.,€ch.€1039,€Sec.€10,€eff.€Sept.€1,€1995.ò ò€€€Amended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,Ð L'œ", Ðch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ (b#- ÐÌÔ*eƒ‚cYƒddxdd (#€cY°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ˜)è$/˜)è$ €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ ü)L%0 ÐÌó óIn€Section€3(e)€ð ðCounty€Courtðð€is€defined€to€include€all€county€and€district€courts€exercising€probate€jurisdiction.€Ð €+Ð&2 ÐHB€1852€amends€Section€149A,€149B€and€149C€to€be€consistent€with€this€definition.Ðd  ÐÌòòò òSec.149D.Distribution€of€Remaining€Estate€Pending€Judicial€Discharge.Ð &v ÐÌóóà  àòò(a)€€On€or€before€filing€an€action€under€Section€149E€of€this€code,€the€independent€executor€mustÐ ªú Ðdistribute€to€the€beneficiaries€of€the€estate€any€of€the€remaining€assets€or€property€of€the€estate€that€remainsÐ l ¼ Ðin€the€hands€of€the€independent€executor€after€all€of€the€estate's€debts€have€been€paid,€except€for€a€reasonableÐ . ~ Ðreserve€of€assets€that€the€independent€executor€may€retain€in€a€fiduciary€capacity€pending€court€approval€ofÐ ð @ Ðthe€final€account.óó€Ð ²  ÐÌà  àòò(b)The€court€may€review€the€amount€of€assets€on€reserve€and€may€order€the€independent€executorÐ 6 †  Ðto€make€further€distributions€under€this€section.óó€Ð ø H  ÐÌòòAdded€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€___€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ |Ì  ÐÌÔ*eƒ„cY…ddxdd (#‚cYƒ°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ R R  €€ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ f¶  ÐÌó óA€major€legislative€objective€in€1999€of€the€Real€Estate,€Probate€and€Trust€Law€Section€of€the€State€Bar€of€TexasÐ ê: Ðwas€a€procedure€for€the€judicial€discharge€of€independent€executors.€€New€Sections€149D,€149E,€149F€and€149GÐ ®þ Ðare€the€realization€of€this€objective.Ð r ÐÌSection€149D€requires€the€independent€executor€to€distribute€all€of€the€remaining€estate€property€prior€to€filing€aÐ úJ Ðdischarge€action,€but€the€independent€executor€is€permitted€to€retain€a€ð ðreasonable€reserveðð€of€assets€pendingÐ ¾ Ðcourt€approval€of€the€final€account.€€This€ð ðreasonable€reserveðð€is€an€amount€of€cash€necessary€to€pay€theÐ ‚Ò Ðindependent€executorððs€likely€attorneys€fees€and€expenses€in€the€discharge€action.Ð F– ÐÌSection€149E€permits€an€action€under€the€Declaratory€Judgments€Act,€Chapter€37€of€the€Civil€Practices€andÐ Î ÐRemedies€Code,€to€discharge€the€independent€executor€from€ð ðany€liability€involving€matters€relating€to€the€pastÐ ’â Ðadministration€of€the€estate€òòò òthat€have€been€fully€and€fairly€disclosed.ððó óóó€€Each€estate€beneficiary€must€be€servedÐ V¦ Ðwith€citation€unless€citation€is€waived.€€Presumably€this€includes€beneficiaries€of€specific€bequests€who€receivedÐ l Ðtheir€distributions€early€in€the€administration€and€not€just€residuary€beneficiaries.€€Such€beneficiaries€have€not€realÐ à0 Ðinterest€in€the€proceeding,€but€they€probably€will€be€willing€to€sign€waivers.Ð ¤ô  ÐÌSection€149E€makes€the€requirement€of€filing€a€final€account€optional€on€the€court€ð"ð€the€court€ò òòòmayóóó ó€require€theÐ ,|" Ðfiling€of€such€an€account€and€ò òòòmayóóó ó€audit,€settle€or€approve€the€account,€but€the€court€is€not€required€to€do€so.€€ThisÐ òB# Ðis€part€of€the€compromise€struck€with€some€statutory€probate€judges,€who€originally€opposed€the€judicialÐ ¸ $ Ðdischarge€of€independent€executors.€€The€compromise€nature€of€Section€149E€is€obvious,€since€Section€149DÐ |!Ì% Ðapparently€anticipates€that€a€final€account€will€be€filed,€but€Section€149E€does€not€require€it.€€Whether€or€notÐ @"& Ðrequired€by€the€court,€however,€the€independent€executor€will€almost€always€wish€to€file€a€final€account€so€that€theÐ #T' Ðð ðfully€and€fairly€disclosedðð€requirement€can€be€met.Ð È#( ÐÌSection€149F€provides€that€the€costs€of€a€proceeding€ð ðin€relation€to€a€final€account€required€under€Section€149EððÐ P%  * Ðmay€be€paid€by€the€independent€executor€out€of€estate€funds,€but€the€independent€executor€must€ð ðrefundðð€anyÐ &d!+ Ðamount€not€approved€by€the€court€as€a€proper€charge€against€the€estate.€€This€section€makes€more€sense€if€SectionÐ Ø&(", Ð149E€required€a€final€account€in€all€cases.€€Of€course,€the€cost€of€preparing€a€final€account€should€be€a€proper€costÐ œ'ì"- Ðof€the€estate€even€if€no€judicial€discharge€is€sought,€so€presumably€the€independent€executor€can€(and,€in€fact,Ð `(°#. Ðshould)€incur€the€cost€of€the€final€account€as€an€estate€expense€before€filing€the€judicial€discharge€action€andÐ $)t$/ Ðshouldnððt€delay€the€process€by€waiting€for€the€court€to€order€the€final€account.Ð è)8%0 ÐÌSection€149G€provides€that€the€rights€and€remedies€in€the€new€judicial€discharge€procedure€are€cumulative.Ð p+À&2 ÐÐ 4,„'3 ÐHB€1852€applies€to€the€estates€of€persons€dying€on€or€after€September€1,€1999.€€It€will€be€interesting€to€see€ifÐ d Ðcourts€will€permit€the€judicial€discharge€of€independent€executors€of€estates€of€persons€who€died€prior€toÐ Ø( ÐSeptember€1,€1999,€or€if€they€will€consider€the€new€procedure€to€be€unavailable€in€those€cases.Ðœì  ÐÌòòò òóóòòSec.149E.Judicial€Discharge€of€Independent€Executor.Ð ®þ ÐÌóóà  àòò(a)€€After€an€estate€has€been€administered€and€if€there€is€no€further€need€for€an€independentÐ 2 ‚ Ðadministration€of€the€estate,€the€independent€executor€of€the€estate€may€file€an€action€for€declaratoryÐ ô D Ðjudgment€under€Chapter€37,€Civil€Practice€and€Remedies€Code,€seeking€to€discharge€the€independentÐ ¶  Ðexecutor€from€any€liability€involving€matters€relating€to€the€past€administration€of€the€estate€that€have€beenÐ x È  Ðfully€and€fairly€disclosed.óó€Ð : Š  ÐÌà  àòò(b)On€the€filing€of€an€action€under€this€section,€each€beneficiary€of€the€estate€shall€be€personallyÐ ¾  Ðserved€with€citation,€except€for€a€beneficiary€who€has€waived€the€issuance€and€service€of€citation.óó€Ð €Ð  ÐÌà  àòò(c)In€a€proceeding€under€this€section,€the€court€may€require€the€independent€executor€to€file€a€finalÐ T  Ðaccount€that€includes€any€information€the€court€considers€necessary€to€adjudicate€the€independent€executor'sÐ Æ  Ðrequest€for€a€discharge€of€liability.€€The€court€may€audit,€settle,€or€approve€a€final€account€filed€under€thisÐ ˆØ  Ðsubsection.óó€Ð Jš ÐÌòòAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ Î ÐÌÔ*eƒ†cY‡ddxdd (#„cY…°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ T¤T¤ Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ ¸ ÐÌó óSee€comment€following€Section€149D.Ð <Œ Ðò òÌòòSec.149F.Court€Costs€and€Other€Charges€Related€to€Final€Account€in€Judicial€Discharge.Ð Lœ ÐÌóóà  àòò(a)€€Except€as€ordered€by€the€court,€the€independent€executor€is€entitled€to€pay€from€the€estate€legalÐ Ð  Ðfees,€expenses,€or€other€costs€of€a€proceeding€incurred€in€relation€to€a€final€account€required€under€SectionÐ ’â Ð149E€of€this€code.óó€Ð T¤ ÐÌà  àòò(b)The€independent€executor€shall€be€personally€liable€to€refund€any€amount€not€approved€by€theÐ Ø(  Ðcourt€as€a€proper€charge€against€the€estate.óó€Ð šê! ÐÌòòAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ !n# ÐÌÔ*eƒˆcY‰ddxdd (#†cY‡°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ¤"ô%¤"ô Ðà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ #X& ÐÌó óSee€comment€following€Section€149D.Ð Œ$Ü( Ðò òÌòòSec.149G.Rights€and€Remedies€Cumulative.Ð œ&ì!) ÐÌóóà  àòòThe€rights€and€remedies€conferred€by€Sections€149D,€149E,€and€149F€of€this€code€are€cumulative€ofÐ  (p#+ Ðother€rights€and€remedies€to€which€a€person€interested€in€the€estate€may€be€entitled€under€law.óó€ó óÐ â(2$, ÐÌòòò òAmended€by€Acts€1999,€76òòthóó€Leg.,€ch.€____€(HB€1852),€eff.€Sept.€1,€1999.ó óóóÐ h*¸%. Ðâ âÐ *+z&/ ÐÔ*eƒŠcY‹ddxdd (#ˆcY‰°(#°(#eÔÔ,(#dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ °° Ðâ âà@[[ìàò òExplanation€of€1999€AmendmentˆÐ d ÐÌó óSee€comment€following€Section€149D.Ð ˜è ÐÌò òSec.€194.€€Bonds€of€Personal€Representatives€of€Estates.ó óÐ ªú ÐÌà  àExcept€when€bond€is€not€required€under€the€provisions€of€this€Code,€before€the€issuance€of€lettersÐ 0 € Ðtestamentary€or€of€administration,€the€recipient€of€letters€shall€enter€into€bond€conditioned€as€required€by€law,Ð ô D Ðpayable€to€the€county€judge€or€probate€judge€of€the€county€in€which€the€probate€proceedings€are€pending€and€to€hisÐ ¸  Ðsuccessors€in€office.€€Such€bonds€shall€bear€the€written€approval€of€either€of€such€judges€in€his€official€capacity,€andÐ | Ì  Ðshall€be€executed€and€approved€in€accordance€with€the€following€rules:Ð @   ÐÌà  àà ` à1.€€Court€to€Fix€Penalty.€€The€penalty€of€the€bond€shall€be€fixed€by€the€judge,€in€an€amount€deemedÐ È  Ðsufficient€to€protect€the€estate€and€its€creditors,€as€hereinafter€provided.Ð ŒÜ  ÐÌà  àà ` à2.€€Bond€to€Protect€Creditors€Only,€When.€€If€the€person€to€whom€letters€testamentary€or€ofÐ d  Ðadministration€is€granted€is€also€entitled€to€all€of€the€decedent's€estate,€after€payment€of€debts,€the€bond€shall€be€in€anÐ Ø(  Ðamount€sufficient€to€protect€creditors€only,€notwithstanding€the€rules€applicable€generally€to€bonds€of€personalÐ œì  Ðrepresentatives€of€estates.Ð `° ÐÌà  àà ` à3.€€Before€Fixing€Penalty,€Court€to€Hear€Evidence.€€In€any€case€where€a€bond€is,€or€shall€be,Ð è8 Ðrequired€of€a€personal€representative€of€an€estate,€the€court€shall,€before€fixing€the€penalty€of€the€bond,€hear€evidenceÐ ¬ü Ðand€determine:Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ à(a)€The€amount€of€cash€on€hand€and€where€deposited,€and€the€amount€of€cash€estimated€toÐ øH Ðbe€needed€for€administrative€purposes,€including€operation€of€a€business,€factory,€farm€or€ranch€owned€by€the€estate,Ð ¼  Ðand€expenses€of€administration€for€one€(1)€year;€andÐ €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ à(b)€The€revenue€anticipated€to€be€received€in€the€succeeding€twelve€(12)€months€fromÐ X Ðdividends,€interest,€rentals,€or€use€of€real€or€personal€property€belonging€to€the€estate€and€the€aggregate€amount€ofÐ Ì Ðany€installments€or€periodical€payments€to€be€collected;€andÐ à ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ à(c)€The€estimated€value€of€certificates€of€stock,€bonds,€notes,€or€securities€of€the€estate€orÐ h  Ðward,€the€name€of€the€depository,€if€any,€in€which€said€assets€are€held€for€safekeeping,€the€face€value€of€life€insuranceÐ Ü,! Ðor€other€policies€payable€to€the€person€on€whose€estate€administration€is€sought,€or€to€such€estate,€and€such€otherÐ  ð" Ðpersonal€property€as€is€owned€by€the€estate,€or€by€one€under€disability;€andÐ d ´# ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ à(d)€The€estimated€amount€of€debts€due€and€owing€by€the€estate€or€ward.Ð ì!<% ÐÌà  àà ` à4.€€Penalty€of€Bond.€€The€penalty€of€the€bond€shall€be€fixed€by€the€judge€in€an€amount€equal€to€theÐ t#Ä' Ðestimated€value€of€all€personal€property€belonging€to€the€estate,€or€to€the€person€under€disability,€together€with€anÐ 8$ˆ( Ðadditional€amount€to€cover€revenue€anticipated€to€be€derived€during€the€succeeding€twelve€(12)€months€from€interest,Ð ü$L ) Ðdividends,€collectible€claims,€the€aggregate€amount€of€any€installments€or€periodical€payments€exclusive€of€incomeÐ À%!* Ðderived€or€to€be€derived€from€federal€social€security€payments,€and€rentals€for€use€of€real€and€personal€property;Ð „&Ô!+ Ðprovided,€that€the€penalty€of€the€original€bond€shall€be€reduced€in€proportion€to€the€amount€of€cash€or€value€ofÐ H'˜", Ðsecurities€or€other€assets€authorized€or€required€to€be€deposited€or€placed€in€safekeeping€by€order€of€court,€orÐ  (\#- Ðvoluntarily€made€by€the€representative€or€by€his€sureties€as€hereinafter€provided€in€Subdivisions€6€and€7€hereof.Ð Ð( $. ÐÌà  àà ` à5.Agreement€as€to€Deposit€of€Assets.€It€shall€be€lawful,€and€the€court€may€require€such€actionÐ X*¨%0 Ðwhen€deemed€in€the€best€interest€of€an€estate,€for€a€personal€representative€to€agree€with€the€surety€or€sureties,€eitherÐ +l&1 Ðcorporate€or€personal,€for€the€deposit€of€any€or€all€cash,€and€safekeeping€of€other€assets€of€the€estate€in€aò ò€òòfinancialÐ à+0'2 Ðinstitution€as€defined€by€Section€201.101,€Finance€Code,€with€its€main€office€or€a€branch€office€in€this€stateóóÐ ° Ð[ò òdomestic€state€or€national€bank,€trust€company,€savings€and€loan€association,€or€other€domestic€corporateÐ r Ðdepository,€duly€incorporatedó ó]ó ó€and€qualified€to€act€as€òòò òa€depository€in€this€Stateóó€[ò òsuchó ó]ó ó€under€the€laws€of€this€StateÐ 4„ Ðor€of€the€United€States,€if€such€deposit€is€otherwise€proper,€in€such€manner€as€to€prevent€the€withdrawal€of€suchÐ úJ Ðmoneys€or€other€assets€without€the€written€consent€of€the€surety,€or€an€order€of€the€court€made€on€such€notice€to€theÐ ¾ Ðsurety€as€the€court€shall€direct.€No€such€agreement€shall€in€any€manner€release€from€or€change€the€liability€of€theÐ ‚Ò Ðprincipal€or€sureties€as€established€by€the€terms€of€the€bond.€Ð F – ÐÌà  àà ` à6.€€Deposits€Authorized€or€Required,€When.€€Cash€or€securities€or€other€personal€assets€of€an€estateÐ Î  Ðor€which€an€estate€is€entitled€to€receive€may,€and€if€deemed€by€the€court€in€the€best€interest€of€such€estate€shall,€beÐ ’ â  Ðdeposited€or€placed€in€safekeeping€as€the€case€may€be,€in€one€or€more€of€the€depositories€Ô_ÔhereinaboveÔ_Ô€describedÐ V ¦  Ðupon€such€terms€as€shall€be€prescribed€by€the€court.€€The€court€in€which€the€proceedings€are€pending,€upon€its€ownÐ  j  Ðmotion,€or€upon€written€application€of€the€representative€or€of€any€other€person€interested€in€the€estate€may€authorizeÐ Þ .  Ðor€require€additional€assets€of€the€estate€then€on€hand€or€as€they€accrue€during€the€pendency€of€the€probateÐ ¢ò  Ðproceedings€to€be€deposited€or€held€in€safekeeping€as€provided€above.€€The€amount€of€the€bond€of€the€personalÐ f¶  Ðrepresentative€shall€be€reduced€in€proportion€to€the€cash€so€deposited,€or€the€value€of€the€securities€or€other€assetsÐ *z  Ðplaced€in€safekeeping.€€Such€cash€so€deposited,€or€securities€or€other€assets€held€in€safekeeping,€or€portions€thereof,Ð î>  Ðmay€be€withdrawn€from€a€depository€only€upon€order€of€the€court,€and€the€bond€of€the€personal€representative€shallÐ ²  Ðbe€increased€in€proportion€to€the€amount€of€cash€or€the€value€of€securities€or€other€assets€so€authorized€to€beÐ vÆ  Ðwithdrawn.Ð :Š ÐÌà  àà ` à7.€€Representative€May€Deposit€Cash€or€Securities€of€His€Own€in€Lieu€of€Bond.€€It€shall€be€lawfulÐ Â Ðfor€the€personal€representative€of€an€estate,€in€lieu€of€giving€surety€or€sureties€on€any€bond€which€shall€be€required€ofÐ †Ö Ðhim,€or€for€the€purpose€of€reducing€the€amount€of€such€bond,€to€deposit€out€of€his€own€assets€cash€or€securitiesÐ Jš Ðacceptable€to€the€court,€with€a€depository€such€as€named€above€or€with€any€other€corporate€depository€approved€byÐ ^ Ðthe€court,€if€such€deposit€is€otherwise€proper,€said€deposit€to€be€equal€in€amount€or€value€to€the€amount€of€the€bondÐ Ò" Ðrequired,€or€the€bond€reduced€by€the€value€of€assets€so€deposited.Ð –æ ÐÌà  àà ` à8.€€Rules€Applicable€to€Making€and€Handling€Deposits€in€Lieu€of€Bond€or€to€Reduce€Penal€Sum€ofÐ n ÐBond.Ð â2 ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ à(a)€A€receipt€for€a€deposit€in€lieu€of€surety€or€sureties€shall€be€issued€by€the€depository,Ð jº Ðshowing€the€amount€of€cash€or,€if€securities,€the€amount€and€description€thereof,€and€agreeing€not€to€disburse€orÐ .~  Ðdeliver€the€same€except€upon€receipt€of€a€certified€copy€of€an€order€of€the€court€in€which€the€proceedings€areÐ