(a) In this section, "beneficiary" means a person, entity, state, governmental agency of the state, charitable organization, or trust entitled to receive property:
(1) under the terms of a decedent's will, to be determined for purposes of this section with the assumption that each person who is alive on the date of the decedent's death survives any period required to receive the bequest as specified by the terms of the will; or
(2) as an heir of the decedent.
(b) Notwithstanding Sections 309.051 and 309.052 , or any contrary provision in a decedent's will that does not specifically prohibit the filing of an affidavit described by this subsection, if there are no unpaid debts, except for secured debts, taxes, and administration expenses, at the time the inventory is due, including any extensions, an independent executor may file with the court clerk, in lieu of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims, an affidavit stating that all debts, except for secured debts, taxes, and administration expenses, are paid and that all beneficiaries other than those described by Subsection (b-1) have received a verified, full, and detailed inventory and appraisement. The affidavit in lieu of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims must be filed within the 90-day period prescribed by Section 309.051 (a), unless the court grants an extension.
(b-1) Absent a written request by a beneficiary, an independent executor is not required to provide a verified, full, and detailed inventory and appraisement to a beneficiary who:
(1) is entitled to receive aggregate devises under the will with an estimated value of $2,000 or less;
(2) has received all devises to which the beneficiary is entitled under the will on or before the date an affidavit under this section is filed; or
(3) has waived in writing the beneficiary's right to receive a verified, full, and detailed inventory and appraisement.
(c) If the independent executor files an affidavit in lieu of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims as authorized under Subsection (b):
(1) any person interested in the estate, including a possible heir of the decedent, a beneficiary under a prior will of the decedent, or a beneficiary described by Subsection (b-1), is entitled to receive a copy of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims from the independent executor on written request;
(2) the independent executor may provide a copy of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims to any person the independent executor believes in good faith may be a person interested in the estate without liability to the estate or its beneficiaries; and
(3) a person interested in the estate may apply to the court for an order compelling compliance with Subdivision (1), and the court, in its discretion, may compel the independent executor to provide a copy of the inventory, appraisement, and list of claims to the interested person or may deny the application.
(d) An independent executor is not liable for choosing to file:
(1) an affidavit under this section in lieu of filing an inventory, appraisement, and list of claims, if permitted by law; or
(2) an inventory, appraisement, and list of claims in lieu of filing an affidavit under this section.
(e) Any extension granted by a court of the period in which to file an inventory, appraisement, and list of claims prescribed by Section 309.051 is considered an extension of the filing period for an affidavit under this section.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1338 (S.B. 1198 ), Sec. 2.43, eff. January 1, 2014.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136 (H.B. 2912 ), Sec. 41, eff. January 1, 2014.
