Can I sell my parent’s house in Texas if they died without a will?

Can a house be sold when the owner died without a will?

Yes, a sale may be possible even without a will. First establish who inherited the property and who has authority to convey it. WG Title’s probate-experienced team reviews the title requirements and coordinates with your attorney on an affidavit of heirship, heirship proceeding, or estate administration.

What documents should the family gather?

Start with the recorded deed, death certificate, family history, and any probate records. An affidavit of heirship supplies evidence about the family; it does not appoint someone to sell the house. WG Title identifies the documentation needed for underwriting and the ownership interests that must be conveyed.

Who signs the heirship affidavit and who signs the deed?

Affidavit witnesses establish family facts; owners or properly authorized representatives convey the property. Those can be different people. Witness qualifications and supporting evidence must be confirmed for the underwriting file. WG Title helps organize the requirements so the family understands whose participation is needed.

Do we have to wait five years to sell?

There is no single closing timeline. Missing heirs, debts, and incomplete records can affect the schedule. Estates Code §203.001’s five-year rule concerns an affidavit’s evidentiary effect; it is not a universal five-year prohibition on selling. Ask WG Title to review the file before setting a closing date.

Why contact WG Title about a no-will sale?

Selling an inherited Texas house often requires more than collecting signatures. WG Title brings probate experience, multiple underwriting relationships, and a clear route to separately engaged legal help through WG Law. That combination helps families work through ownership questions and identify a practical path toward closing.

Official sources for this answer

• Estates Code Chapter 203: evidence of heirship ↗
• Texas State Law Library: informal probate methods ↗

These sources explain the general law or process. The deed, governing documents, court orders, current title commitment and the facts of the transaction determine the requirements for your file.