Ross F. Tew

I grew up in Austin, attended Baylor, lived in Dallas with my wife for a number of years before moving to Fort Worth, started a family, and opened my practice.

Elder Law

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Arbitration & Mediation

Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration

• Guardianship

• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees

Texas

Since 2013

Owner

The Law Firm of Ross F. Tew, PC

2013 - Current

State Bar of Texas  # 24084659

Member

Current

Tarrant County Association of Mediators

Member

2017 - Current

Q. My mom passed away with no will, the only assets she had was the house, which I was the grantor for her.

September 24, 2021

A: If your mom left no Will, and the house is titled in her name, then it is inherited by her heirs. Her heirs would include her spouse if she was married at the time of her death, as well as her descendants. These are broad strokes. Exactly who receives what and in what proportion depends on more facts than I have available to me here. I suggest you take the most recently recorded deed to the property, your mother's death certificate, and meet with a local probate attorney who can advise you further.

Q. How do I get the money out of my father's Wells Fargo bank account? My father died on August 2, 2020 without a will.

April 28, 2021

A: A Small Estate Affidavit may allow you to collect the account if the total assets in the estate (other than the homestead and exempt property) do not exceed $75,000, and the assets exceed the debts owed by the estate. If the non-exempt, non-homestead assets exceed $75,000 then you'll need a determination of heirship. If you need a determination of heirship and there are unsecured debts owed, then the court will likely appoint you or another qualified individual as the administrator of the estate. I agree with Ms. Garrett that you need to sit down with a probate attorney and weigh you options.

Q. My mother passed away last month. I was her P.O.A., her guardian, etc. She was a ward of the court because my brother

April 15, 2021

A: Did your mother leave a Will? If so, the Executor named in the Will can offer the Will up for probate and then motion the Court to release the funds held in the registry. If your mother didn't leave a Will you can apply to be named Administrator of her estate, at which point you can motion the Court to release the funds held in the registry. If there is no Will, then the Court will need to determine who your mom's heirs are.