(a) If the judge approves an affidavit under Section 205.003, the affidavit shall be maintained as a local government record under Subtitle C, Title 6, Local Government Code.
(b) If the county does not maintain local government records in a manner authorized under Subtitle C, Title 6, Local Government Code, the county clerk shall provide and keep in the clerk’s office an appropriate book labeled “Small Estates” in which the clerk shall, on payment of the legal recording fee, record each affidavit filed under this chapter. The small estates book must contain an accurate index that shows the decedent‘s name and references to any land involved.

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Terms Used In Texas Estates Code 205.005

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Affidavit: means a statement in writing of a fact or facts signed by the party making it, sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths, and officially certified to by the officer under his seal of office. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Judge: means the presiding judge of any court having original jurisdiction over probate proceedings, regardless of whether the court is:
    (1) a county court in the exercise of its probate jurisdiction;
    (2) a court created by statute and authorized to exercise probate jurisdiction; or
    (3) a district court exercising probate jurisdiction in a contested matter. See Texas Estates Code 22.019