{"id":13110,"date":"2025-05-25T06:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T11:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legaltalktexas.hammerle.com\/?p=13110"},"modified":"2025-06-18T11:51:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:51:44","slug":"texas-escheat-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/texas-escheat-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"When the State Takes Your Estate: Texas Escheat Laws Can Cheat Your Heirs"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, it is true \u2013 if you die without leaving a <\/span>valid will<\/span><\/a>, then the State of Texas might end up taking everything.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Would the State of Texas Take Your Estate?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here is how it would work:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You die.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. You do not have a will.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. None of your accounts has a beneficiary named or is held jointly with right of survivorship.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. No one around you knows the identity of your heirs.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Your assets just sit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Then, Texas escheat law kicks in. The law requires that holders of your assets turn the funds in your accounts over to the state after certain time periods have expired.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If a court clerk is holding money in its account in your name, then it sends that money to the state immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

    One Year After<\/span><\/h3>\n

    One year after no activity in your account, your employer sends in your wages. The utility company turns over your utility deposits.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Three Years After<\/span><\/h3>\n

    At three years, your bank (or holder) sends in the funds in your:<\/span><\/p>\n