What do I do if my mother passed without a Will?
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What do I do if my mother passed without a Will?
My mother recently passed and I’m her only child. She no spouse and she had no Will. She left a house and a car, as well as a pet. What can I do to legally take
rights? I don’t have money for an attorney and I’m willing to do it myself.
Asked on November 12, 2018 under Estate Planning, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
If there is no spouse and no othe children, you inherit everything from her (house, car, pet; any savings; all the furniture; any jewlery; etc.), subject only to any mortgages or financing (e.g. if there is a mortgage on the house or loan on the car, it must be paid off). You will have to either probate the estate or use the small estate affidavit if the total value of everything is less than $75,000, but in either event, you can do this yourself. Go to the website of the probate court for your county; you will be able to find forms and instructions there.
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