Elmo, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

That depends on the court. In larger counties (Dallas, Tarrant, Harris), where there are statutory probate courts, the courts have more staff and resources and the court administrator or other staff may provide instruction. It is ultimately your responsibility to know your duties and your attorney should be your first resource on that. Your first responsibility is going to be to file an Inventory and Appraisement of the estate, which is due 90 days from when you receive letters of administration.

In Texas people can leave their things to whomever they wish.  You might consider contesting the Will if you have evidence tending to prove fraud, lack of legal capacity or undue influence.  Your description indicates none of these.  The last two can be very difficult to prove.  A Will contest can cost as much or more than you might inherit with no guaranty that you will win.

"Customary" doesn't matter much; the maker of a trust can say what he or she wants to say in terms of who takes. The question is a little confusing, but I'm gathering that one child of the trust-maker has passed away, and the trust calls for distribution to the deceased child's children, rather than to the deceased child's spouse. In my experience, yes, that is the more common distribution, keeping the wealth in the lineal family descent. Marriage is a little too dicey these days for many people.