S.B. No. 1448 amends various sections of the Estates Code in Texas to streamline processes related to probate proceedings and the management of decedents' estates. Key changes include the requirement for the transferring court to send specific documents, such as a transfer certificate and the original will, to the receiving court using a qualified delivery method. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that mandates service of citation or notice to the personal representative or distributees of a deceased person's estate in probate proceedings. It also clarifies that a copy of a will with a self-proving affidavit can be considered self-proved, and it updates the requirements for inventory and claims related to the estate, including specifying the marital status of the decedent and the nature of the property.

Further amendments include provisions for the appointment of an attorney ad litem to represent unknown distributees and adjustments to the timelines for filing necessary documents with the court. The bill also repeals certain outdated sections and clarifies that the amendments are intended to clarify existing law rather than change it. The effective date for these changes is set for September 1, 2025, and they will apply to proceedings commenced on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Estates Code 33.105, Estates Code 256.156, Estates Code 256.202, Estates Code 309.051, Estates Code 309.052, Estates Code 354.001, Estates Code 452.006, Estates Code 453.003, Government Code 80.002, Estates Code 403.060 (Estates Code 452, Government Code 80, Estates Code 33, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 453)
Senate Committee Report: Estates Code 33.105, Estates Code 256.156, Estates Code 256.202, Estates Code 309.051, Estates Code 309.052, Estates Code 354.001, Estates Code 452.006, Estates Code 453.003, Government Code 80.002, Estates Code 403.060 (Estates Code 452, Government Code 80, Estates Code 33, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 453)
Engrossed: Estates Code 33.105, Estates Code 256.156, Estates Code 256.202, Estates Code 309.051, Estates Code 309.052, Estates Code 354.001, Estates Code 452.006, Estates Code 453.003, Government Code 80.002, Estates Code 403.060 (Estates Code 452, Government Code 80, Estates Code 33, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 453)
House Committee Report: Estates Code 33.105, Estates Code 256.156, Estates Code 256.202, Estates Code 309.051, Estates Code 309.052, Estates Code 354.001, Estates Code 452.006, Estates Code 453.003, Government Code 80.002, Estates Code 403.060 (Estates Code 452, Government Code 80, Estates Code 33, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 453)
Enrolled: Estates Code 33.105, Estates Code 256.156, Estates Code 256.202, Estates Code 309.051, Estates Code 309.052, Estates Code 354.001, Estates Code 452.006, Estates Code 453.003, Government Code 80.002, Estates Code 403.060 (Estates Code 452, Government Code 80, Estates Code 33, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 453)