Van Alstyne, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

I think it's useful to discuss the different between what happens when someone does have a will, and when someone doesn't. In Texas, a person who dies without a will is known as "intestate." In that case, with your father's set of facts, the rule is that if he died intestate and had no other children outside of his marriage to your mother, your mother would indeed take everything upon his death. Because your father had a will, this default rule does not apply. The details and contents of your father's will determine what you are indeed entitled to. If your mother has begun the probate process, she will be required to submit an original version of his will to the court where it will then be made public. You can then see what his will said by looking up the case information online (available in many of the larger counties in Texas) or by contacting the county clerk's office. It appears as though your father made provisions for you in his will, but it's a good idea to consult a local attorney experienced in probate matters to discuss the specifics of your case. That way you'll have all of the information you need to decide how to move forward. Good luck.

I would give them the Death Certificate as well. The bank is probably just following their internal procedures. While your lawyer is not wrong, it is going to be easier to just give the bank what it wants that to try to fight them on this. If it was something more expensive or complicated, I might challenge them. In this case, I would just give it to them. Perhaps they can make a copy of the original and give it back to you.

If your parents reside in a community property state, or in a marital property state, then your mother would likely be held responsible for any debts your father incurred during marriage. Note that there are rare exceptions to this rule, and your mother may wish to consult with an attorney regarding her options. On the other hand, your father's children would likely not be held responsible for his debts, unless they entered into some type of personal guarantee.