Requiring attorney signatures on probate affidavits

Travis County Probate Court No. 1 is rejecting affidavits in lieu of inventory filed by non-lawyer personal representatives pursuant to Texas Probate Code Section 250 unless they also include the signature of the attorney of record. Judge Guy Herman believes that the filing of an affidavit by a non-lawyer personal representative constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. He also thinks that there is a strong policy argument for requiring the attorney of record to sign since it lets the court know that the attorney is aware of the filing and is still involved in the administration.

Judge Guy HermanIn Steele v. McDonald, 202 S.W.3d 926 (Tex. App. -- Waco 2006), the court held that a non-lawyer may not appear pro se in the capacity as an estate's independent executor. The court reasoned that, since the executor is acting in a representative capacity, appearing pro se would constitute the unauthorized practice of law. A Texas court also has prohibited a non-lawyer trustee from appearing in a lawsuit in his representative capacity. In re Guetersloh, 326 S.W.3d 737 (Tex. App. -- Amarillo 2006).

The Probate Code requires personal representatives to file affidavits of compliance with Section 128A and a sworn inventory or affidavit in lieu thereof. Most attorneys routinely sign the inventory. However, there is nothing in Section 128A or Section 250 requiring attorneys to sign the inventory or those affidavits. I do not think filing a statutorily-required factual statement constitutes practicing law, so I do not think the attorney's signature should be required. The forms for Section 128A affidavit and affidavit in lieu of inventory I prepared and put on this website have no place for the attorney to sign.

Still, those of us who practice in Travis County need to comply with Judge Herman's requirements. Also, Judge Herman's practices often influence the practice in other Texas courts. Therefore, I have added to the website an affidavit in lieu of inventory form with a place for the attorney to sign and an affidavit of compliance with Section 128A form with a place for the attorney to sign. Adding the attorney's signature is easy, so that will be my practice from now on.

Ten things to do now

(This is one of a series of posts about 2011 legislation.)

Most of the legislation passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature becomes effective September 1, 2011.  Here are ten things an estate planning and probate attorney should do now to address the new legislation.

1.  Change will forms to use streamlined one-step execution

SB 1198 amends Probate Code Section 59 to permit an optional new way for a will to be executed and be made self-proved -- one which requires the testator and two witnesses to sign only once.  Attorneys should change their will forms to replace the attestation clause and self-proving affidavit with the new approved language. Here are Word and WordPerfect versions for downloading.

The method is optional, so attorneys may continue to use the traditional two-signature method.  However, there seems to be little downside to switching to the new method. The new method will make execution errors much less likely, and it speeds up the signing ceremony.  If the client moves to another state which does not recognize a combined attestation and self-proving affidavit, the will still will be just as valid as the two-signature variety, although it may not be considered self-proved. It is likely to be considered self-proved in that state, since Section 2-504 of the Uniform Probate Code permits combined attestations and self-proving affidavits, and the UPC has been enacted in one form or another in 20 states.

The new procedure is available for wills signed on or after September 1, 2011. For more information about this change, see this blog post.

2.  Use all of the streamlined forms to speed up document signings

The 2011 change to Section 59 (allowing combined attestations and self-proving affidavits) completes a series of changes begun in 2009 that can speed up document signing ceremonies and save staff time.  While updating the will form to use the one-signature method, also check the medical power of attorney, directive to physicians and declarations of guardian to assure that each takes advantage of the 2009 changes:

• The medical power of attorney may be acknowledged by a notary instead of witnessed by two witnesses. Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 166.154(b). Here is a medical power of attorney form using a notary instead of witnesses in Word format.
• The directive to physicians and family or surrogates may be acknowledged by a notary instead of witnessed by two witnesses.  Tex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 166.032(b-1).  Here is a directive to physicians form using a notary instead of witnesses in Word format.
• The declaration of guardian in the event of later incapacity may contain a combined attestation and self-proving affidavit, making it necessary for the declarant and witnesses to sign only once. Tex. Prob. Code Sec. 679(k). Here is a declaration of guardian form using the one-signature method in Word format.
• The declaration of guardian for children may contain a combined attestation and self-proving affidavit, making it necessary for the declarant and witnesses to sign only once.  Tex. Prob. Code Sec. 677A(i). 

As a result of the 2009 and 2011 changes, attorneys can streamline document executions:

• If the attorney is a notary, the attorney may meet with the client alone and supervise the signing of any trusts, the statutory durable power of attorney, the medical power of attorney, the directive to physicians, the HIPAA authorization, the funeral directive and any beneficiary designations.
• After completing those documents, the witnesses may enter the room for the signing of the will and the declarations of guardian using the new one-signature method.

3.  Begin using affidavits in lieu of inventories

SB 1198 amended Section 250 of the Probate Code to permit independent executors and administrators to file an affidavit instead of a detailed inventory if there are no unpaid debts, except for secured debt, taxes and administration expenses, when the inventory is due. The independent executor or administrator still must prepare a verified inventory and deliver it to each beneficiary, but the public disclosure of estate assets and values may be avoided.

Here are Word and WordPerfect versions of a form of affidavit in lieu of inventory for downloading.

Affidavits in lieu of inventory may be used for the estates of decedents dying on or after September 1, 2011. For more information about this change, see this blog post.

4.  Change wills to authorize affidavits in lieu of inventories

While it is clear that the legislature intended affidavits in lieu of inventories when the testator's will provided for independent administration, an anomaly in Section 145(b) of the Probate Code raises a possible argument that the required language creating independent administrations negates the right to use an affidavit in lieu of inventory.  Section 145(b) provides:

Any person capable of making a will may provide in his will that no other action shall be had in the county court in relation to the settlement of his estate than the probating and recording of his will, and the return of an inventory, appraisement, and list of claims of his estate.

Texas attorneys routinely include this language in wills. A possible interpretation of this language is that, while Texas law might otherwise permit the independent executor to file an affidavit in lieu of inventory, the terms of the will nevertheless require the filing of an inventory. This is implausible and clearly contrary to legislative intent. It is likely to be clarified by 2013 legislation.  In the meantime, Texas attorneys should modify this phrase in wills signed in the future to make it clear that the inventory must be filed only if required by law.  It probably is overkill to require former clients to re-execute wills with the new language.

Here is the language I recommended:

I direct that no action shall be had in any court exercising probate jurisdiction in relation to the settlement of my estate other than the probating and recording of my will and the return of an inventory, appraisement and list of claims of my estate; provided that, if the independent executor is permitted to file an affidavit in lieu of inventory under Texas law, I do not require the independent executor to file the inventory, appraisement and list of claims with the court.

Bill Pargaman recommended simply adding "...if required by law" to the end of the Section 145(b) language.

For more information, see this blog post.

5.  Consider using a summary-form 128A notice

SB 1198 amended Section 128A to permit the executor to include a summary of key provisions in the required notice to beneficiaries instead of enclosing a full copy of the order and will. Under the revised statute, the executor either must enclosed a copy of the will and order or "a summary of the gifts to the beneficiary under the will, the court in which the will was admitted to probate, the docket number assigned to the estate, the date the will was admitted to probate, and, if different, the date the court appointed the personal representative." The summary option also may be used in waivers signed by beneficiaries in lieu of notice.

Should attorneys routinely use the new method?  It will save postage and trees not to have to send copies of the order and will.  On the other hand, it always is possible that a court later will consider the summary to be incomplete or insufficient.  Also, while attorneys can standardize the sending of 128A notices with the will and order attached, use of the summary is likely to require special drafting and editing.

There were other changes to the statute requiring notice to beneficiaries. Fewer persons must be notified.

For old "long form" Section 128A notice and affidavit forms, click here. There are no new "summary form" notices on this site.  For more information about Section 128A changes, see this blog post.

6.  Complete disclaimers for 2010 decedents by September 16

The tax law passed by Congress in 2010 extended the deadline for disclaiming property that would otherwise be received from a decedent dying between January 1, 20102011, and December 17, 20102011, until 9 months after December 17, 20102011.  The Texas legislature made corresponding extensions of the state deadlines for disclaimers.  The deadline under federal and state law is September 17, 2011.  Since September 17 falls on a Saturday, be sure to complete the disclaimer by Friday, September 16, since it is unclear that the Texas deadline would be extended to the following business day. [corrected September 14, 2011]

7.  Make sure to follow the rules for Section 294(d) notices to unsecured creditors

SB 1198 made many changes affecting independent administration.  As amended, Probate Code Section 146 makes it clear that Section 294(d) notices to unsecured creditors may be used in independent administrations to bar claims that are not made within 120 days of receipt of the notice.  However, when used in an independent administration, the notice must state that a claim may be effectively presented by only one of the methods prescribed by Section 146.  Section 146(b-4) prescribes these methods of giving notices by creditors:

• A written instrument that is hand-delivered with proof of receipt, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested with proof of receipt, to the independent executor or the executor’s attorney;
• A pleading filed in a lawsuit with respect to the claim; or
• A written instrument or pleading filed in the court in which the administration of the estate is pending. 

When representing independent executors, make sure the notice to unsecured creditors contains the proper language.  When representing creditors, make sure to respond to the notice in one of the ways required by Section 146.

Here is a form for Section 294(d) notices in independent administrations in Word and WordPerfect formats.

8.  Check the power of sale before applying for the next independent administration

SB 1198 makes it clearer whether or not an independent executor or administrator has the power to sell real estate without the joinder of the beneficiaries. If the will does not contain a power of sale provision, Section 145A permits the distributees to agree to give the independent executor or administrator the power of sale. It is important to note that this consent must be obtained before the personal representative is appointed so that the order appointing him or her may state that the power of sale exists.  If the personal representative does not obtain the consent of the distributees prior to appointment, it is too late -- each sale of real estate from the estate is likely to require the joinder of the beneficiaries.

Therefore, before applying for the next independent administration, check the will for a power of sale.  If there is not a power of sale in the will, consider whether to ask the distributees to agree to the power of sale before filing the application.

The changes to the power of sale in independent administrations are discussed in this blog post.

9.  Consider if the 2011 changes create new opportunities for elder law clients

Over the past several sessions, Texas statutes have been amended to make it easier for clients of elder law attorneys to qualify for government benefits programs.  The 2011 changes open the door even further.

Now persons with physical disabilities only but with no mental incapacity may apply for the creation of a court-created trust under Section 867 of the Probate Code.  This will make it easier for disabled individuals to utilize a special needs trust.  The federal statute (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(A)) requires that trusts be created by a parent, grandparent or court.  It was unclear if a disabled person with no mental incapacity was eligible for an 867 trust.  The 2011 changes make it clear that the trusts are available for disabled persons, who may apply for their creation directly, without the need for a guardianship.  Disabled persons also may waive the annual accounting requirement otherwise applicable to 867 trusts.

It is easier than ever to get a qualifying individual's property into a pooled trust subaccount administered under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396p(d)(4)(C).  Probate Code Section 911 lists the persons who may apply fo the establishment of a subaccount.  The list does not include the trustee of a Section 867 trust.  However, Section 868C permits the court to order the transfer of the assets of an 867 trust into a pooled trust subaccount, so the trustee may use that statute to, in effect, apply for the creation of a subaccount.

Section 865 of the Probate Code was amended to permit a guardian of the estate or any interested person to apply to the court to transfer a portion of a ward's estate as necessary to qualify the ward for government benefits, but only to the extent allowed by applicable state or federal laws, including rules, regarding those benefits.

Each of these changes was made by SB 1196, the guardianship bill supported by the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

10.  Review the new Estates Code

The current Probate Code will be repealed and replaced by the new Estates Code on January 1, 2014.  The Texas Legislative Council has been working on the nonsubstantive codification of the Probate Code since 2007. The decedents' estates portion of the code was enacted in 2009. The guardianship and power of attorney portions were enacted in 2011. A corrections bill was passed in 2011.  A final corrections bill will be enacted in the 2013 session prior to the January 1, 2014, effective date.  Members of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section have been scouring the new provisions to see if any changes or corrections need to be made. REPTL probably will have a bill making changes in 2013.

Now is a good time to review the new Estates Code. The Texas Legislative Council's website has information about the new code and texts of the legislation. Direct any suggested changes or corrections to me or to Bill Pargaman so that REPTL may consider them.

Claims in independent administrations

(This is one of a series of posts about 2011 legislation.)

Section 146 addresses claims in independent administrations.  SB 1198 makes several changes:

• Section 294(d) permits personal representatives to give notices to unsecured creditors, and those creditors are required to present their claim within 120 days of receipt of the notice, or the claim is barred.  Section 146 makes it clear that Section 294(d) notices may be used in an independent administration.  However, when used in an independent administration, the notice also must include a statement that a claim may be effectively presented by only one of the methods prescribed by Section 146.  (Here are Section 294(d) notice forms for independent administrations which address the 2011 changes in Word and WordPerfect formats.) Section 146(b-4) prescribes these methods of giving notices by creditors:
  • A written instrument that is hand-delivered with proof of receipt, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested with proof of receipt, to the independent executor or the executor’s attorney;
  • A pleading filed in a lawsuit with respect to the claim; or
  • A written instrument or pleading filed in the court in which the administration of the estate is pending.
• A secured creditor electing matured secured status must give notice to the independent administrator in one of the methods prescribed in Section 146(b-4) (described above) and must record a notice of the creditor’s election in the deed records of the county in which the real property is located.
• A secured creditor electing matured secured status in an independent administration is entitled to the priority granted by the Probate Code, but the creditor is not entitled to exercise any remedies in a manner that prevents the payment of higher priority claims and allowances and, during the estate administration, is not entitled to exercise any contractual collection rights, including the power to foreclose, without either the prior written approval of the independent executor or court approval. If the secured creditor elects matured secured status, the independent executor and not the secured creditor is empowered to sell the property if necessary to pay the claim. Still, the creditor with matured secured status is not powerless to protect itself.  Section 146(b-1)(2) permits the matured secured creditor to seek judicial relief or to execute a judgment against the independent executor. Section 146(b-1)(3) coordinates with the no right to exoneration of lien statute (Section 71A), requiring the independent executor either to collect from the devisees the amount needed to pay the debt or to sell the property to raise money to pay the debt.
• A secured creditor with preferred debt and lien status is free to exercise judicial or extrajudicial collection rights, including the right to foreclose and execution, but the creditor may not conduct a nonjudicial foreclosure sale within 6 months after letters are granted.
• In an independent administration, presentation of a statement of claim or a notice with respect to a claim to an independent executor does not toll the running of the statute of limitations with respect to that claim. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16.062 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code, the running of the statute of limitations in an independent administration is tolled only by:
  • Written approval of a claim signed by an independent executor;
  • A pleading in a suit pending at the time of the decedent’s death; or
  • A suit brought by the creditor against the independent executor.
• Section 146(b-7) states plainly that, other than as provided in Section 146, the procedural provisions of the Probate Code governing creditor claims in supervised (dependent) administrations do not apply to independent administrations.  Among the procedural provisions that do not apply to independent administrations are Section 306(f) – (k) and Section 313.  A creditor’s claim is not barred solely because the creditor failed to file a suit not later than the 90^th day after the date an independent executor rejects the claim or fails to act with respect to a claim.

Section affected:  Probate Code Section 146.

Power of sale in independent administrations

(This is one of a series of posts about 2011 legislation.)

Most well-drafted wills expressly give the independent executor the power to sell real property. However, some wills do not include a power of sale provision.  Also, when the distributees of an intestate estate agree on the appointment of an independent administrator, that administrator serves without the benefit of a power of sale provision.  In those cases, when can the independent administrator sell real property without the joinder of the distributees? Under prior law, there was no clear answer to this question.  As a result, most title companies would not insure title if an independent administrator without the power of sale tried to sell real property of the estate, unless the distributees joined in the conveyance.

SB 1198 attempts to clarify the rules about sales of real property by independent administrators and to provide a means for independent administrators with no express power of sale to obtain the clear authority to sell real property.

New Section 145A permits the distributees of an estate to give the independent administrator the power of sale in cases where there is no will or where the will does not contain language authorizing him or her to sell real property.  The distributees may give the independent administrator the power of sale by signing a consent prior to the appointment of the independent administrator, whereupon the court will include the power to sell in the order appointing the independent administrator. Thus, if the proposed independent administrator knows in advance that he or she may need to sell real property, he or she may ask the distributees to sign a consent giving the independent administrator the power of sale and file these consents with the application for appointment.  The court, seeing that the distributees have consented to giving the independent administrator the power of sale, can include the power of sale in the order appointing the independent administrator.  This permits title companies and other third parties to rely on that order when the independent administrator wishes to sell real property.  If the independent administrator waits until after he or she is appointed to get the power of sale, it is too late – the distributees also must sign the deed (unless the sale is necessary to pay expenses of administration, funeral expenses and expenses of last sickness of decedent, and allowances and claims against the estate – see below.)

New Section 145C confirms that an independent executor has the power to sell real property if that power is expressly given to him or her in the will. In most cases in the Probate Code, the term “independent executor” includes “independent administrators.” This is not the case in Section 145C, however.  While an independent executor has the power of sale given in the will, an independent administrator with will annexed does not, since the testator is deemed to have given the power of sale only to the persons he or she named as independent executors in the will and not to an unnamed person later appointed as independent administrator.

Section 145C also provides that, unless limited by the terms of a will, both independent executors and independent administrators have the same power of sale for the same purposes as a personal representative has in a supervised (dependent) administration, but without the requirement of court approval and without the need to comply with the procedural requirements applicable to a supervised administration.  Section 341 provides that a personal representative in a supervised administration with court approval may sell property when it appears necessary or advisable in order to:

(1)        Pay expenses of administration, funeral expenses and expenses of last sickness of decedents, and allowances and claims against the estates of decedents.

(2)        Dispose of any interest in real property of the estate of a decedent, when it is deemed to the best interest of the estate to sell such interest.

Clearly under new Section 145C an independent executor or independent administrator may sell real property if necessary to pay expenses, allowances and claims (Section 341(1)) regardless of whether the will contains a power of sale and so long as the terms of the will do not limit the power of sale.  It is not so clear if an independent executor or independent administrator without an express power of sale may sell real property “when it is deemed to the best interest of the estate” (Section 341(2)). Section 145C(b) says he or she has the same power of sale for the same purposes as a dependent administrator, and a dependent administrator may apply to the court for a “best interest” sale, so it appears that independent executors and administrators are given this power.  However, Section 145C(c) provides that a good faith unrelated purchaser of real property is protected if  there is a power of sale given to the independent executor in the will, if the court grants a power of sale in the order appointing the independent executor or independent administrator, or if “the independent executor or independent administrator provides an affidavit, executed and sworn to under oath and recorded in the deed records of the county where the property is located, that the sale is necessary or advisable for any of the purposes described in Section 341(1) of this code.” Since Section 341(1) permits sales to pay administrative expenses, allowances and claims, while Section 341(2) permits “best interest” sales, there is no third-party protection for “best interest” sales.

After chopping through the bushes on Sections 145A and 145C for a while, it appears that the power of sale in an independent administration may be summarized as follows:

• If the will expressly gives a power of sale, the independent executor named in the will has the power to sell real property for any purpose.
• An independent administrator with will annexed cannot use a power of sale granted in the will.
• If the distributees consent to giving the independent executor or independent administrator the power of sale and the order appointing the independent executor or independent administrator expressly grants the power of sale, the independent executor or independent administrator has the power to sell real property for any purpose.
• Unless the terms of a will limits the power, any independent executor or independent administrator may sell real property to pay administrative expenses, allowances and claims or if it is in the best interest of the estate – even if the will or order grant no power of sale – but a good faith third party purchaser will be protected only if the sale is to pay administrative expenses, allowances and claims. The third party is not protected if the reason for the sale is the best interest of the estate.

Section 145C(c)(2) makes clear that the signature or joinder of a devisee or heir is not required as to acts undertaken in good faith reliance on the independent executor’s affidavit that the sale is for the purpose of paying administrative expenses, allowances or claims.  Section 145C(c)(3) makes clear that the fact that an independent executor or administrator has the power to sell real property does not relieve him or her from any duty owed to a devisee or her in relation, directly or indirectly, to the sale.

Sections affected:  Probate Code Sections 145A and 145C.

Inherited IRAs are Exempt from Creditors’ Claims

(This is one of a series of posts about 2011 legislation.)

SB 1810 amends Section 42.0021 of the Property Code to provide that all IRAs, including inherited IRAs, are exempt from creditors' claims.  It provides that the interest of a person in an IRA acquired by reason of the death of another person is exempt to the same extent that the interest of the person from whom the account was acquired was exempt on the date of the person's death.

The exempt status of inherited IRAs was called into question by In re Jarboe, 2007 WL 987314 (Bankr. S. D. Tex 2007), and by similar cases across the country.

Section affected:  Property Code Section 42.0021.