FRIENDSWOOD — State Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, announced the filing of legislation to exempt probate fees for peace officers and firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
“When a peace officer or firefighter makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, the state should recognize this service and relieve loved ones of these burdensome fees,” Taylor said. “I’m grateful for the initiative of local probate attorney and constituent Kim Sullivan for bringing this issue to my attention.”
Probate is the process in which a court oversees the payment of a deceased person’s debts and the distribution of his or her assets. The court’s role is to facilitate this process and protect, when necessary, the interests of all creditors and beneficiaries of the estate.
Probate fees are established by the county in which the presiding court resides and might vary drastically from $200 to several thousands of dollars depending upon the complexity of each case.
The legislation, House Bill 1209, has been endorsed by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, State Firemen’s and Fire Marshalls’ Association and the Texas State Troopers Association. State Sen. Glenn Hegar, R- Katy, will sponsor the legislation, Senate Bill 543, in the Senate.
— State Rep. Larry Taylor’s office
Attribution:
Taylor Files Probate Fee Exemption Bill
February 27, 2011
The Galveston County Daily News
http://galvestondailynews.com/story/214570
Estate of Denial® provides news, analysis and commentary on abusive practices occurring in probate courts and via probate instruments (wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney). We provide original perspective to educate the public regarding this growing threat to both individual freedoms and property rights.
