Dear Mr. Premack: My grandfather got married, and then passed away only two months later. His Will left the house to my dad and his brother. We know his new wife can stay in the house as long as she wants, but she owns two other houses and one of them is homesteaded. If she lives in grandfather’s house, what expenses must she pay? Is she responsible for the taxes? If she does not pay the taxes when due, what are we to do? – LW It is generally true that a surviving spouse is e

Dear Mr. Premack: My husband passed away in late 2008. The deed of the house only has his name on it. He had no Will and nothing went thru probate. How do I change the deed into my name? – PM He died intestate, so Texas law determines the identity of his heirs. If he dies without a Will, then under Texas law as his widow you only get the house if he had no children or if all his children are also your children. If he has any children from a prior marriage, then they (not you)

Dear Mr. Premack: I was handling a sale transaction for land as Agent under a durable power of attorney. The land-owner (for whom I am acting) died before the closing was finished. Would it be legal to complete the deal? How many days does the power of attorney carry over after death? – BH The durable power of attorney (if it was written to comply with Texas law) gave you authority to handle a wide variety of transactions for the principal (the person for whom you were acting