H.B. No. 3421 amends various sections of the Estates Code in Texas to streamline processes related to probate proceedings and decedents' estates. Key changes include the requirement for the transferring court to send specific documents to the receiving court when a probate proceeding is transferred, including a transfer certificate, copies of final orders, and the original will or a paper copy if the original cannot be produced. Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows the applicant requesting the transfer to bear the cost of delivery for the original will. It also clarifies that a copy of a will with a self-proving affidavit can be considered self-proved, and it mandates that inventories of estate property must specify the marital status of the decedent and the classification of property as separate or community.

Further amendments include adjustments to the custody of probated wills, the requirements for personal representatives to file detailed inventories, and the handling of claims against the estate. The bill also updates the delivery methods for court orders through electronic filing systems and repeals outdated provisions. The changes are intended to clarify existing laws rather than alter them significantly, and the new provisions will apply to proceedings initiated on or after the effective date of 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 453, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 452, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33)
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 453, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 452, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33)
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 453, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 452, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33)
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 453, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 452, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33)
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 453, Government Code 80, Estates Code 256, Estates Code 452, Estates Code 309, Estates Code 354, Estates Code 403, Estates Code 33)