Dear Mr. Premack: My mother was widowed for many years. During that time, she created a revocable trust to hold her property. A few years later, she got married and eventually changed the trust to give some money to her husband’s children if she were to die. That marriage ended in divorce, but she remained close to one of her stepdaughters (but not the other stepchildren). Now mother is in a nursing home and we fear she may die in the next year. My question is: are all the st

Dear Mr. Premack: I had an elderly friend who owned seven rental properties. She died in early 2007 without a Will and has no known legal heirs. The properties are vacant and the taxes have not been paid since her death and will soon go to the state of Texas. Is it legal for me to apply to be the Administrator of her estate in order to protect her properties by paying the taxes and then selling them? How much will it cost me?  Thank you very much for your help. – G.E.W. Texas

Dear Mr. Premack: A few years ago, my mother signed a deed giving my brother her interest in her homestead. My father had passed away 25 years ago, with a Will that was never probated. About 2 months ago, my mother also died. Now, although the 4 year statute has passed for probating dad’s will, my brother wants to probate dad’s will as muniment of title so he can obtain full ownership of the house under a 1993 law that gives all community property to mother. If he does this,