If you’re handling a Texas estate after someone has passed away, filing an accurate and complete inventory is not optional it’s required by law. The Texas estate inventory documentation steps are part of the probate process and help ensure assets are properly identified, valued, and distributed. Skipping or rushing this step can delay probate, trigger court questions, or even lead to personal liability for the executor.

What exactly is a Texas estate inventory?

An estate inventory is a formal list of all assets owned solely by the deceased at the time of death things like bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, stocks, personal property, and business interests. It does not include jointly held assets with rights of survivorship, payable-on-death accounts, or life insurance proceeds with named beneficiaries those pass outside probate. The inventory must include fair market values as of the date of death, not what the asset might sell for later or what was paid for it years ago.

When do you need to file it?

In Texas independent administration (the most common type), the executor must file the inventory within 90 days of being appointed. For dependent administration, the deadline is the same but the court may require more oversight. If you miss the deadline, you can request an extension, but it’s better to start early. You’ll also need to update the inventory if new assets surface later, like uncashed dividend checks or forgotten safe deposit box contents.

How do you gather the right information?

Start with documents the deceased left behind: recent bank and investment statements, deeds, vehicle titles, retirement account paperwork, and tax returns. Contact financial institutions directly they often provide date-of-death balances upon request. For real estate, use recent appraisals or county appraisal district values; for personal property like jewelry or collectibles, reasonable estimates are acceptable unless the item is high-value (e.g., over $5,000), in which case a professional appraisal helps. You can find more details on how to list assets during the Texas probate process in our full walkthrough.

What mistakes do people make and how to avoid them?

Common errors include listing assets the estate doesn’t actually control (like a house co-owned with a surviving spouse), omitting small but probate-eligible items (e.g., a Roth IRA without a beneficiary), or using vague descriptions like “miscellaneous household goods” instead of “living room furniture, dining set, and three bedroom sets.” Another frequent issue is mixing up gross value with net value list the full value before debts, not what’s left after mortgages or liens. If you’re unsure whether something belongs on the inventory, review the Texas probate property disclosure guidelines for clarity.

Where do you file it and what form do you use?

You submit the inventory to the county clerk in the Texas county where the probate case is open. There’s no single statewide form, but most counties accept either the official Texas Probate Form PR-101 or a custom list that meets statutory requirements. Your list must include each asset’s description, its date-of-death value, and how title is held. You don’t need notarization, but you must sign it under penalty of perjury. Learn more about the exact form requirements and accepted formats for your county.

Can you revise the inventory later?

Yes if you discover an asset you missed, or if an asset’s value changes significantly due to market shifts or newly uncovered information, you can file an amended inventory. Just label it clearly as “Amended Inventory” and explain the change. You don’t need court permission to file it, but you should keep a copy with your probate records. For help completing the inventory correctly the first time and avoiding repeat filings see our step-by-step guide on completing the asset inventory for Texas probate court.

Next step: Get started now

Set aside two focused hours this week. Pull together bank statements from the month before death, locate deeds and titles, and make a simple spreadsheet with three columns: Asset Description, Date-of-Death Value, and Source of Value (e.g., “Chase Bank statement dated 3/15/2024”). Then review the practical examples of how to list assets during the Texas probate process to double-check formatting and scope. You don’t need perfection on the first try just accuracy and good faith effort.

For official reference, the Texas Estates Code Chapter 309 outlines inventory requirements you can read it directly on the Texas Legislature website.