Your Dependent Administration Roadmap

Understand that every sale, payment, and distribution will require a separate court order

Identify all heirs at law under Texas intestacy if the decedent died without a will

Plan to post a fiduciary bond — typically equal to the value of the estate's personal property

Locate originals of every legal document: death certificate (5+ certified copies), any will, deeds, account statements

Identify the creditor disputes, complex assets, or family conflict that triggered the dependent path

Begin a contemporaneous record of every receipt and disbursement — required for the annual accounting

Confirm whether a Determination of Heirship will need to be filed alongside the administration

Block any distribution of estate property until the court signs an order authorizing it

Be prepared for the court to appoint an Attorney Ad Litem if heirs are unknown — cost charged to the estate

Understand the administrator's personal liability for unauthorized actions, missed deadlines, or unpaid taxes

Plan for a 12 to 24+ month timeline — discuss any hardship-distribution motions with your attorney early

Schedule a flat-fee consultation with WG Law before filing — dependent administration is the highest-risk Texas probate path