Danciger, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

The court will not send you anything that explains your duties as the administrator of the estate, or what you can expect in terms of compensation. In general, however, your duties are to identify and manage the estate assets, identify and pay the estate liabilities, handle any litigation or disputes in which the estate may be involved, distribute the estate according to the will (or according to the laws of intestacy if there is no will), and report to the court as needed regarding your activities as administrator. You also may not mix the estate assets with your own.

While a surviving spouse has a lifetime right to occupy the house in Texas, once he leaves, that right is forfeited.  From your reference to "half" it appears that the house was community property and you are your mother's only heir.  Your stepmother may be your father's heir but only after he dies.  She has no rights while he is alive.  You may try to persuade your stepfather to join you in selling the house.  You may offer to buy him out or have him buy you out.  Given the time that has passed, you may sue for partition, forcing a sale.  Contact a local probate attorney.

Her claim may in fact be for her one-half of the community property. In Louisiana, each spouse owns one-half of the property acquired during the marriage through the efforts of either spouse. (Gifts and property owned by the marriage are not included.) Since she would be the owner of that one-half, it is not considered part of your father's estate. As far as your father's property is concerned, the will would control, to the extent it is not in conflict with state law.