Discretionary appointment of attorney ad litem – Estate administration
06/20/2025
,
Texas
,
Legislation
, Other subject area
In 2025, the Texas legislature enacted SB 1448, permitting the court to appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the distributees of a deceased person’s estate if service was made by publication. See 51.057(c).
We have classified the appointment of counsel as qualified, in addition to discretionary, because the attorney is seemingly charged with representing the distributees’ best interest (as opposed to being client-directed).
Bill Status: Enacted
Last action (on 06/20/2025): Effective on 9/1/25
Appointment of Counsel: Discretionary
Qualified: Yes
