Department: Probate Courts
Department Head/Elected Official:
Judge Jerry W. Simoneaux, Jr.
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Probate Courts for approval of the creation of the Office of Public Probate Administrator to be a resource for families of decedents with small estates that are unable to afford an attorney, or for whose estates no known or suitable next of kin is available or willing to serve.
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Background and Discussion:
The Office of Public Probate Administrator will be a resource for families of decedents with small estates that otherwise could not afford an attorney. The Public Probate Administrator will have authority to preserve and protect a decedent's property when no personal representative has been appointed and no known or suitable next of kin is available or willing to serve. The Public Probate Administrator is authorized to take prompt control of property to prevent loss, injury, waste, or misappropriation, and ensure that the deceased person's heirs receive their lawful share of the estate. If necessary, the Probate Administrator shall also make burial arrangements with the appropriate county facility in charge of indigent burials.
Funding for the Office of Public Probate Administrator is largely provided by statutory fees. Some additional funding in the estimated amount of $21,575 and two positions will be requested at another Commissioners Court meeting. Estimated funding in the amount of $200,000 will be needed in FY 2025 and future years.
All five probate judges enthusiastically support the creation of this office. See the attached Resolution.
The creation of this office is authorized...
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