Legislative Update Morsels

The 89th legislative session is in full swing, and we won’t know which bills will become law until the session ends in early June 2025.  Here are just a few of the many proposed changes that we’re watching:

Simplifying Inventories – SB 1448 and HB 3421 would eliminate the need to specify whether property is community or separate property for unmarried decedents.

Administrative Changes with Probate of Copy - SB 1448 and HB 3421 also clarify that the proponent of a copy of a will may rely on a copy of the self-proving affidavit to make the will self-proved.  These bills would also require the county clerk to retain the copy of a will that is probated, as if it were an original will.

Remote Uncontested Hearings - HB 3819 would require that courts give each party in an uncontested probate proceeding the option to attend the hearing through remote technology.  Remote hearings would be required to be accessible to the public.

It is impossible to know which of these bills will progress, but keep an eye out for updates.