2013 Legislation

The 83rd Texas Legislature ended its regular session May 27, 2013.  Some probate, trust and guardianship legislation became effective September 1, 2013, but many provisions will not become effective until January 1, 2014, when the new Estates Code takes effect.  

Useful links: 

• Texas Legislature Online.

• Bill Pargaman's 2013 Legislative Update on the Saunders Norval Pargaman & Atkins resources page -- all the bills, all the time.

• Glenn Karisch's 2013 Legislative Update in pdf format.

Here are summaries of the most significant changes:

• The Estates Code

• Substantive Changes Related to Estates Code Enactment

• New Statutory Durable Power of Attorney Form

• New Medical Power of Attorney Form

• Decanting

• Texas Law on Nontestamentary Transfers Applies to Out-of-State Accounts

• Burden of Proof in Will and Trust Forfeiture Cases

• Changes Affecting Ad Litems in Decedents' Estates and Guardianships

• Miscellaneous Decedents' Estates Changes

• Miscellaneous Guardianship Changes

• Miscellaneous Trust Law Changes