In In re Est. of Davidson, Bryan Davidson died in 2021, leaving behind an ex-wife (Debbie Davidson), three adult sons, and Sherry Myers. NO. 01-24-00026-CV, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 9840 (Tex. App.—Houston December 23, 2025, no pet.). Sherry Myers claimed she and Bryan Davidson had an informal (common-law) marriage. Sherry
Texas Court of Appeals
Court Held That The Transfer Of A Case From County Court To District Court Was Proper And That There Was Sufficient Evidence That A Will Was Not Revoked In Order To Admit It To Probate
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Est. of Wright, Teddy Jack Wright died in Throckmorton County, Texas, in July 2022. No. 11-24-00243-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 2532 (Tex. App.—Eastland March 19, 2026, pet. filed). Andy Wright and Glynda Fincannon filed an application to probate Teddy’s 2019 will in the 39th District Court…
Court Affirmed Summary Judgment In An Estate Case Where The Plaintiff Did Not Have Standing As It Did Not Have A Sufficient Interest In The Estate
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Estate of Demel, John Mathias Demel died on January 17, 2024, in a fire at a bar property he rented. No. 14-25-00245-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 1103 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] February 5, 2026, no pet.). The property was owned by Gail Foster, and after her death…
Court Of Appeals Affirmed A Receivership In A Trust And Estate Case On Equitable Grounds
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Est. of Ledbetter, Lonnie Ledbetter Jr., a wealthy individual with significant assets held in trusts originally structured to benefit his children, married Tawni Jones-Ledbetter at age 81 after his wife’s death. No. 02-25-00326-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 1168 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth February 5, 2026, no pet.).
Court Affirmed Summary Judgment For Executors Due To The Statute Of Limitations
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Conover v. Conover, Van died in July 2001, leaving an estate valued at over $4 million, including $2.8 million in stocks and bonds. No. 01-24-00471-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 1834 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] February 26, 2026, no pet.). Van’s will devised his residuary estate to his father…
Court Affirmed An Order Denying A Motion To Dissolve An Injunction In A Trust Dispute
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Marshall v. Marshall, there were multiple trusts created by J. Howard Marshall and E. Pierce Marshall involving Koch Industries shares. No. 14-25-00322-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 1970 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] March 3, 2026, pet. filed). Preston Marshall is a beneficiary of several trusts, including the Harrier Trust and…
Court Of Appeals Affirmed The Denial Of An Objection To Personal Jurisdiction In A Contract Dispute Over Trustee Compensation
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Padilla-Madden v. Sandoval, Sandoval (Texas) and Madden (Alabama) made oral agreement for Madden to share trustee compensation. No. 04-25-00303-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 2250 (Tex. App.—San Antonio March 11, 2026, pet. denied). Sandoval facilitated Madden’s appointment as trustee for Gan Shares Trust. Madden traveled to San Antonio for meetings…
Court Reversed Summary Judgment Based A No-Contest Clause
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Estate of Wynn, William Reese Wynn, Sr. died in 2021, leaving a will from 2003 that primarily benefited his wife Susan. No. 10-23-00187-CV, 2025 Tex. App. LEXIS 9682 (Tex. App.—Waco December 18, 2025, no pet. history). The will included $25,000 bequests to each of his two children from a…
Court Affirmed The Granting Of A Plea To The Jurisdiction Where The Opponent To An Application To Appoint An Executor Had No Interest In The Estate
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In In re Est. of McCulloch, David McCulloch died August 14, 2022, with a pour-over will leaving all property to the David and Vicki McCulloch Trust. No. 02-25-00036-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 2094 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth March 5, 2026, no pet.). Vicki McCulloch, surviving co-trustee, amended the trust September…
Court Dismissed Appeal After No Person Accepted The Position Of Representative Of The Estate
By David Fowler Johnson on
Posted in Cases Decided, Texas Court of Appeals
In Criswell v. Polk, Catherine Polk sued Dolores Sharp over Houston real property ownership. No. 01-22-00428-CV, 2026 Tex. App. LEXIS 2290 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] March 12, 2026, no pet.). The probate court granted partial summary judgment for Polk, vesting title in Angel’s estate. Sharp then died during the…