State guide
Texas
Texas requires a general notice to creditors shortly after letters testamentary or administration are issued, but Texas does not use a universal short post-publication deadline for ordinary unsecured claims. Instead, the published notice tells creditors to present claims within the period prescribed by law, while a separate optional mailed notice can trigger a 121-day bar for unsecured money claims.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- The personal representative must arrange one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where letters were issued, or posting if no such newspaper exists; Texas statutes use the 'newspaper of general circulation' standard and no official statewide probate newspaper list was found.
- Creditor claim deadline
- no fixed deadline from first publication for general claims; optional notice to an unsecured creditor creates a 121-day deadline after receipt
- Law
- Tex. Estates Code §§ 308.051, 308.053, 308.054, 355.001; small estates: Chapter 205
- Small-estate limit
- $75,000 excluding homestead and exempt property
Official resources in Texas
Official Texas Judicial Branch self-help page for people handling court matters without a lawyer.
Official Texas courts forms page with probate and guardianship materials and self-help links.
Official Estates Code chapter covering published and mailed notices to creditors.
Official Estates Code chapter explaining presentment and payment of claims against estates.
Official full Estates Code, including Chapter 205 small estate affidavits.
Key facts for Texas
- Within 1 month after receiving letters, the personal representative must publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. (Estates Code § 308.051)
- Texas requires that publication only once; if no newspaper of general circulation exists, the notice must be posted. (Estates Code §§ 308.051, 308.052)
- A secured creditor known to the representative must be mailed notice within 2 months after letters issue. (Estates Code § 308.053)
- An unsecured creditor may be sent a special notice requiring presentment by the 121st day after receipt, or the claim is barred. (Estates Code § 308.054)
- Absent that special unsecured-creditor notice, a claim may be presented any time before the estate closes if not barred by general limitations. (Estates Code § 355.001)
- Texas small-estate affidavits are available when estate assets, excluding homestead and exempt property, do not exceed $75,000. (Estates Code Chapter 205)
What to do next
- Have the publisher's affidavit filed with the probate clerk after the notice runs or is posted.
- Identify secured creditors immediately because Texas gives only 2 months for mandatory mailed notice to them.
- If the estate may qualify for a small-estate affidavit, compare countable assets against the $75,000 cap before seeking full administration.
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →