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Texas

TX · 10 guides

Planning ahead

End-of-Life Planning Checklist for Texas Residents

Texas end-of-life planning checklist: advance directives, POA, beneficiary designations, funeral preferences, and community property rules.

8 min read
Estate tax

Estate and Inheritance Tax in Texas 2026

Texas has no state estate tax, no inheritance tax, and no income tax. Federal threshold is $15M in 2026. Community property step-up and MERP.

6 min read
Executor duties

Executor Duties and Timeline in Texas

What a Texas independent executor must do: appointment, inventory, creditor notice, tax filing, community property, and distribution.

8 min read
Funeral laws

Funeral and Burial Laws in Texas

Texas funeral and burial laws: disposition authority, cremation 48-hour wait, home burial, green burial, embalming rules, and consumer rights.

8 min read
Probate

How Probate Works in Texas: Paths, Timeline, and Process

Texas probate explained: small estate affidavit, muniment of title, independent and dependent administration. Fees, deadlines, and statutes.

9 min read
Financial

How to Close Bank Accounts After Death in Texas

Step-by-step guide to closing bank accounts, transferring vehicle titles, handling real property, and accessing safe deposit boxes after a death in Texas.

7 min read
Death certificates

How to Get a Death Certificate in Texas

Order a Texas death certificate from DSHS or a local registrar. 2026 fees, processing times, how many copies you need, and TxEVER explained.

7 min read
Benefits

Social Security Survivor Benefits in Texas

How to claim Social Security survivor benefits in Texas, including the $255 lump sum, monthly benefit amounts, WEP/GPO elimination, and TX-specific tax rules.

7 min read
Funeral costs

Texas Funeral Cost Guide

Realistic Texas funeral costs for burial, cremation, and direct cremation. Includes component breakdowns, legal pricing rights, and pre-need contract rules.

7 min read
Getting started

What to Do When Someone Dies in Texas

Step-by-step Texas death checklist: probate paths, death certificates, community property, financial tasks, and Medicaid recovery.

10 min read