Staples, TX Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

After the court appoints an administrator (you, if you applied), the administrator can distribute separate personal property to the children according to the Texas rules of inheritance.  If you are the applicant, you might also want to talk to your attorney about setting aside the home and up to $60,000 in personal property for the widow (you) and about the fact that property purchased during the marriage is assumed to be community property unless proven otherwise.  These days a lot of folks feel entitled to "their" money and stuff before the body is cold.  But no one has authority to distribute anything until a court appoints them executor of a Will or administrator of an estate or signs an Order Approving Small Estate Affidavit.

Write it all in your own hand, sign and date it. Of course, it probably won't be done right and something will be missing and your children or spouse will probably object and use up all of your assets in the fight. Or you could find a local attorney and have it done right for a minimum of expense.

No they will not. You should hire a lawyer to advise you, as there are serious consequences to not complying with your duties, and "ignorance of the law" is not a defense. Which puts people in a very difficult spot, because how to administer an estate is not taught in schools or always subject to common sense. The Utah Probate Code sets forth your duties, and is available online. You should hire an attorney to advise you to at least a limited degree.