The Journal

Practical guidance and stories to help Texas families navigate the complexities of probate, estate planning, and inheritance.

Family records, handwritten notes, and a phone on a wood table for the first week after a death in Texas

June 17, 20268 min readExecutor first steps

First Week After a Death in Texas: Executor Checklist

A calm first-week checklist for Texas executors, focused on records, property, people, debts, and the facts you need before choosing a probate path.

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Latest Notes

Organized estate folders, certificates, and notes on a desk for executor duties in Texas

Executor duties8 min read

Duties of an Executor of a Will in Texas

A practical guide to executor duties in Texas, from protecting property and finding the will to tracking debts, notices, records, and distributions.

June 17, 2026

Calculator, estate paperwork, keys, and receipts on a desk for reviewing Texas executor fees

Executor fee7 min read

Texas Executor Fee: Can an Executor Get Paid?

How Texas executor fees can work, why the will matters, what expenses to track, and when compensation questions deserve legal advice.

June 17, 2026

Probate filing folders and certificates arranged for a Texas probate court preparation checklist

Probate court8 min read

Texas Probate Court: What Executors Should Know Before Filing

What Texas probate court handles, why county matters, and what executors should gather before choosing a probate filing path.

June 17, 2026

Family records, notebook, and estate folders on a table for beneficiaries reviewing a Texas estate

Beneficiaries7 min read

Beneficiary Guide: What to Expect During a Texas Estate

A calm guide for beneficiaries in a Texas estate: notices, executor communication, inventory, debts, timing, and distributions.

June 17, 2026

Stacks of probate forms, certificates, and folders arranged on a desk for a Texas probate documents checklist

Documents9 min read

Texas Probate Documents Checklist for Executors

A fuller document checklist for Texas executors gathering identity records, court papers, asset proof, debt records, heir details, and county filing materials.

June 17, 2026

Texas estate paperwork with a calculator and house keys for small estate affidavit filing review

Small estate affidavit8 min read

Small Estate Affidavit Texas Mistakes That Can Stop a Filing

Common Texas small estate affidavit mistakes, including filing with a will, counting assets wrong, missing debts, mishandling homestead, and leaving heirs out.

June 17, 2026

Estate inventory workspace with documents, keys, phone, laptop, and notebook on a kitchen table

Inventory9 min read

Estate Inventory for Texas Probate: Assets, Debts, and Personal Property

How Texas executors can start an estate inventory for probate, including accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, valuables, photos, and family review.

June 17, 2026