SB 1335 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to decedents' estates.

This bill amends Texas Estates Code sections to clarify and streamline processes for estate administration. It specifies that court-issued letters testamentary or administration documents (including a clerk's certificate confirming issuance) serve as sufficient proof of a personal representative's appointment and qualification date. It also updates removal procedures for personal representatives, allowing courts to act on their own motion after notifying the representative, rather than requiring a complaint from an interested party first. These changes directly affect estate administrators, courts, and beneficiaries who need to verify representative authority during estate proceedings. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
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What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas Estates Code provisions regarding the removal of personal representatives from estates, clarifying when courts can remove them and under what procedures. It also revises sections on discharging representatives and closing estates when no property remains. The changes standardize language and add specific conditions for removal based on court motion or interested party complaints, while maintaining existing protections for estate administration.
Scope change
The bill applies to motions and complaints made on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law.
REQUIREMENT

Updated Section 306.007 to clarify that letters testamentary or of administration serve as sufficient evidence of a personal representative's appointment and qualification date.

Revised Section 361.052 to specify that courts may remove personal representatives on their own motion or upon complaint by interested persons after proper notice and citation procedures.

Added Section 361.052(a-1) to establish specific timelines and procedures for removal, including notification requirements and service of process.

Updated Sections 362.012 and 362.013 to clarify procedures for discharging personal representatives and closing estates when no estate property remains.

Revised Section 405.009(a) to add specific requirements for closing independent administrations, including filing closing reports and terminating powers of independent executors.

TIMELINE

Established September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new provisions, with grandfathering for motions and complaints filed before that date.

Floor votes · House May 27, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
51
Key actions
17
Committee
12
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 27, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (138-0-6)
house
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from subcommittee
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in subcommittee
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to s/c on Family & Fiduciary Relationships by Speaker
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Jurisprudence
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors