Texas · Probate administration

Texas Probate Creditor Deadlines and Small-Estate Rules

No fixed bar from letters. Permissive notice only: if PR sends § 308.054 notice (qualified delivery), unsecured creditor must present claim before the 121st day after RECEIPT of notice or claim is barred; absent notice, general statutes of limitation govern

3 rules checked against governing sourcesSources checked through Jun 17, 2026Inspect the coverage gate

Answer first, sources attached

Three administration rules to check first

Creditor timing, notice procedure, and simplified-estate eligibility are state-specific. These source-linked rules are a starting point for the administration plan.

Procedure threshold

Small-estate procedure

Texas small estate affidavits are available for intestate estates when 30 days have elapsed since death, no personal-representative appointment is pending or granted, and the estate assets excluding homestead and exempt property do not exceed $75,000. The affidavit must be filed with the proper court clerk and approved by the judge.

Tex. Est. Code §§ 205.001-205.003.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Publication and service

Notice to creditors

Texas personal representatives must publish general notice to claimants within one month after receiving letters. They must give notice to known secured creditors within two months after receiving letters, and may give qualified-delivery notice to unsecured money creditors requiring presentment before the 121st day after receipt or the claim is barred if not already barred by general limitation statutes.

Tex. Est. Code §§ 308.051, 308.053, 308.054, 355.060.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The statewide rule is the starting point

  • Date and type of appointmentLetters, qualification, and the form of administration can change the trigger.
  • Known versus unknown creditorsPublication and direct notice may create different duties and deadlines.
  • Property included in the thresholdExempt property, real estate, and nonprobate assets may be treated differently.
  • Local court procedureForms, publication practice, hearing calendars, and closing requirements can be county-specific.

Read the public guide

Understand the broader process and the records worth organizing first.

Browse related guides

Go deeper on deadlines, evidence, forms, and the practical workflow.

Find licensed help

Use public directories to find a lawyer who can apply the rules to a specific matter.

For probate attorneys

Turn the rule into a visible administration plan

DocketBuddy connects notice, claim periods, inventory, accounting, distributions, and closing exceptions to the same matter record.

Open a sample probate brief Watch Ready check a sample packet

This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not calculate a deadline, determine eligibility, select a procedure, value a claim, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority, local procedure, and current law before relying on a rule.