Texas Estates Code 503.001 – Authorization to Record Certain Foreign Testamentary Instruments in Deed Records
(a) A copy of a will or other testamentary instrument that conveys, or in any other manner disposes of, land in this state and that has been probated according to the laws of any state of the United States or a country other than the United States, along with a copy of the judgment, order, or decree by which the instrument was admitted to probate that has the attestation, seal, and certificate required by Section 501.002(c), may be filed and recorded in the deed records in any county in this state in which the land is located:
(1) without further proof or authentication, subject to Section 503.003; and
(2) in the same manner as a deed or conveyance is required to be recorded under the laws of this state.
(b) A copy of a will or other testamentary instrument described by Subsection (a), along with a copy of the judgment, order, or decree by which the instrument was admitted to probate that has the attestation and certificate required by Section 501.002(c), is:
(1) prima facie evidence that the instrument has been admitted to probate according to the laws of the state or country in which it was allegedly admitted to probate; and
(2) sufficient to authorize the instrument and the judgment, order, or decree to be recorded in the deed records in the proper county or counties in this state.
Terms Used In Texas Estates Code 503.001
- Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Probate: Proving a will
- United States: includes a department, bureau, or other agency of the United States of America. See Texas Government Code 311.005