Confirm the role
Being family or named in a will may not equal current court authority.
For people handling a Bexar County estate
Handling a house after a death? Authority comes first.
Understand what an executor is, protect the property, keep expenses traceable, and organize the first 90 days without guessing at legal authority.
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Who made this site?
Bexar County Home Buyers, a private home-buying company. The tools are free and do not send us your answers. Discussing a possible purchase is a separate choice.
Start here
Which situation sounds most like yours?
You do not need to know the professional term. Choose the closest statement.
The basics
Do the right work in a clear order.
Find the case
Record the court, cause number, status, representative, and current proof of authority.
Protect the house
Secure keys, insurance, mail, people, pets, valuables, notices, and active hazards.
Make an inventory
Use dated photos and list the house, contents, vehicles, accounts, occupants, and condition.
Track every dollar
Keep the date, purpose, payee, amount, payment source, approval, invoice, and receipt.
Pause major commitments
Confirm authority and professional requirements before listing, selling, repairing, or distributing.
Free tool
Build the first steps for the estate property.
An executor is a person with legal authority to act for an estate. Being family or named in a will may not be enough by itself.
Next steps
One thing at a time.
What to do
- Locate the will and estate papers without changing them.
- Protect people and active hazards without unsafe entry.
- Notify the property insurer truthfully and preserve every notice.
What to do
- Confirm the court case, representative, and proof of authority.
- Create a dated property and contents inventory.
- Verify mortgage, tax, insurance, utility, lease, and code accounts.
What to do
- Reconcile every property expense and personal advance.
- Review title, liens, claims, occupancy, access, and repair choices.
- Record approvals and do not distribute before authority permits.
Official sources
Go to the agency responsible.
Rules and accounts change. These links open the official source.
Safety comes first.
Call 911 for immediate danger. Do not enter an unsafe house, confront occupants, remove property, mix funds, sign a deed or contract, or distribute assets based only on this checklist. Court documents and qualified professional advice control.
Common questions
Clear answers to get started.
Confirm dates, rights, and requirements with the responsible agency or qualified professional.
What is an executor?
In common use, it is a person authorized to handle an estate. The exact Texas role and authority depend on the court case, orders, and current documents.
Does the will let me sell the house now?
Not necessarily. Being named in a will is not always the same as having current authority to sign a transaction.
Can I pay bills myself?
A necessary payment may still need proper authorization and accounting. Keep it traceable and ask estate counsel or the accountant how it should be handled.
What if family members disagree?
Document facts and communications. Avoid self-help, removing people or property, or signing commitments until authority and rights are clear.
Can a buyer or agent decide who may sign?
No. A title company and qualified Texas probate or real-estate counsel should review the estate and title documents.
Next step
Confirm authority. Protect the property. Make every dollar traceable.
Use the free tool first. If you later want to discuss selling the property in its current condition, that conversation is optional and separate.