What happens if I don’t have a will?

Texas law outlines where your assets go when this happens — such as to your spouse or your children if you are married or have kids or to your parents or siblings if you are not married and have no children. This becomes a bit complicated, though, if you are married when dealing with community property and separate property and particularly if your spouse is not a parent of your children.

Even if you are happy with how the state says your property should be distributed, when you don’t have a will, the process for handling your estate is often more complicated and more expensive. Your estate is more likely to need a determination of heirship or a dependent administration, both of which can be costly.