Sargent, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

Depending on how things were set up, there may or may not be a Will and even if there is one, there may be no assets to pass under the Will. A Will covers only those assets that are in the decedent's name alone. Any assets that were jointly held or that have a designated beneficiary, pass outside of probate and outside the control of any Will. So finding the Will will not help you, if the assets were set up in such a way as to avoid probate.

Possibly. You can claim a common law marriage if: 1. You were both 18+ 2. You agreed to be married (this can be inferred) 3. You held yourselves out to the public as married (i.e. he introduced you as his wife) 4. You were not already married. You would then have a claim to the community property portion of his estate. This is a fairly complicated proposition. Get legal help.

Her children are not directly responsible for your mother's debts. To the extent that you received assets as a result of her passing, creditors might be able to force you to pay. Even though you have no direct liability, in some cases the creditors will try to convince you to pay; don't without consulting first with a probate lawyer.