Estates Code § 453.009

Sec. 453.009. DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS BETWEEN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SURVIVING SPOUSE DURING ADMINISTRATION. (a) A qualified personal representative of a deceased spouse's estate may administer: (1) the separate property of the deceased spouse; (2) the community property that was by law under the management of the deceased spouse during the marriage; and (3) the community property that was by law under the joint control of the spouses during the marriage. (b) During administration of a deceased spouse's estate, the surviving spouse, as surviving partner of the marital partnership, is entitled to: (1) retain possession and control of the community property that was legally under the sole management of the surviving spouse during the marriage; and (2) exercise over that property any power this chapter authorizes the surviving spouse to exercise as if there is no administration pending on the deceased spouse's estate. (c) The surviving spouse, by written instrument filed with the clerk, may waive any right to exercise powers as community survivor. If the surviving spouse files a waiver under this subsection, the deceased spouse's personal representative may administer the entire community estate. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 680 (H.B. 2502), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2014. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 205 (S.B. 1373), Sec. 42, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 205 (S.B. 1373), Sec. 43, eff. September 1, 2023.