H.B. No. 3421 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 mandates that the applicant requesting the transfer must cover the delivery costs. It also clarifies that a copy of a will that cannot be produced in court, along with a self-proving affidavit, can be deemed sufficient for self-proving if it meets the necessary requirements.

Further amendments include the requirement for personal representatives to provide detailed inventories of estate property, including the marital status of the decedent and the classification of property as separate or community. The bill also updates the procedures for temporary administrators and the delivery of court orders through electronic filing systems. Notably, it repeals Section 403.060 of the Estates Code and clarifies that the amendments are intended to clarify existing law rather than change it. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 309, 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, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 309, 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, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 309, 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, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 309, 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, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 453)