Law Office of
Brandy Baxter-Thompson

Heirship Proceedings

In probate law, when a person dies without a will, the heirs must be determined according to statute. This process is referred to as an heirship proceeding, the result of which is a court order issued by the probate court declaring the decedent's heirs at law.

An heirship proceeding does not provide for an administration of the decedent's estate, but it does serve to set out certain basic facts that will facilitate the distribution of an estate. The order determining heirship states that the decedent is dead and that the decedent died intestate or partially intestate. It will then go on to specifically name the decedent's heirs and each heir's intestate share of the decedent's estate. The goal is to figure out who the heirs are so that the property can be disbursed according to statute.

Dallas probate attorney Brandy Baxter-Thompson has extensive experience with a number of probate law issues including letters testamentary, heirship proceedings, and will administration. Brandy Baxter-Thompson offers legal counsel for individuals in Dallas County, Collin County, Rockwall County, and Dallas, Rockwall, and Plano.