S.B. No. 1335 amends various sections of the Estates Code in Texas to clarify and update the procedures regarding decedents' estates. Notably, it modifies Section 306.007 to specify that letters testamentary or of administration issued under the court's seal serve as sufficient evidence of the personal representative's appointment and qualification. Additionally, Section 361.052 is revised to allow the court to remove a personal representative either on its own motion or upon the complaint of an interested person, provided that proper notification is given. This section also outlines the grounds for removal, including mismanagement or incapacity.

Further amendments include changes to Sections 362.012 and 362.013, which now require the court to discharge a personal representative and cancel their letters when no estate property remains or when the estate has been fully administered. The bill also introduces new provisions for the cancellation of letters and the termination of the personal representative's authority upon the closing of the estate. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to motions or complaints made after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Estates Code 306.007, Estates Code 361.052, Estates Code 362.012, Estates Code 362.013, Estates Code 405.001, Estates Code 405.007, Estates Code 405.009 (Estates Code 362, Estates Code 405, Estates Code 306, Estates Code 361)
Senate Committee Report: Estates Code 306.007, Estates Code 361.052, Estates Code 362.012, Estates Code 362.013, Estates Code 405.001, Estates Code 405.007, Estates Code 405.009 (Estates Code 362, Estates Code 405, Estates Code 306, Estates Code 361)
Engrossed: Estates Code 306.007, Estates Code 361.052, Estates Code 362.012, Estates Code 362.013, Estates Code 405.001, Estates Code 405.007, Estates Code 405.009 (Estates Code 362, Estates Code 405, Estates Code 306, Estates Code 361)
House Committee Report: Estates Code 306.007, Estates Code 361.052, Estates Code 362.012, Estates Code 362.013, Estates Code 405.001, Estates Code 405.007, Estates Code 405.009 (Estates Code 362, Estates Code 405, Estates Code 306, Estates Code 361)
Enrolled: Estates Code 306.007, Estates Code 361.052, Estates Code 362.012, Estates Code 362.013, Estates Code 405.001, Estates Code 405.007, Estates Code 405.009 (Estates Code 362, Estates Code 405, Estates Code 306, Estates Code 361)