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Heirs’ Property and Estate Planning Resources for Housing Professionals

October 23, 2026 | By Katie Claflin

For most Texas families, a home is the largest asset they will ever own and one of the most important ways to build wealth that lasts for generations. But what happens to the home when the owner passes away?

When a homeowner dies without a will or other estate plan, ownership of the home is often split among multiple heirs. This is known as heirs’ property. Without clear title, the property’s heirs can face serious obstacles: difficulty accessing home repair or disaster recovery assistance; trouble borrowing against, refinancing, or selling the home; and, in the worst cases, losing the property altogether.

The good news is that, when homeowners have clear guidance, heirs’ property issues can be resolved and even prevented. Estate planning tools, like a will or a Transfer on Death Deed, allow homeowners to decide who inherits their home and help their families avoid costly legal proceedings down the road. And homeowners inheriting a home without clear title may be able to access legal resources to establish their homeownership rights.

Equipping Housing Professionals to Help Protect Homeownership

Housing counselors, nonprofits and other community partners are often the first point of contact for families buying a home or struggling with homeownership issues. That’s why TSAHC partnered with a team of subject matter experts to create our free Heirs’ Property and Estate Planning On-Demand Training.

The training helps housing professionals incorporate estate planning into their home buyer education curriculum and build referral networks to connect homeowners facing heirs’ property issues with appropriate legal services. The training takes about five to six hours to complete, can be finished all at once or at your own pace, and includes four modules:

• Overview of Heirs’ Property Issues in Texas, presented by the Earl Carl Institute
• Understanding the Transfer on Death Deed, presented by the Mexican American Unity Council
• Incorporating Estate Planning into Your Home Buyer Education Programs, presented by J DePenning Consulting, Inc.
• Assisting Clients with Existing Title Issues, presented by Lone Star Legal Aid

Want a preview first? Watch our training launch webinar to meet the instructors and see a demonstration of the platform. This training is made possible with support from JPMorgan Chase and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

On the House Podcast Episode: Protect Your Home. Have an Estate Plan.

If you’re a homeowner and want to learn more about estate planning options, our On the House podcast is a great place to begin. In Episode 20: Protect Your Home. Have an Estate Plan., we sat down with Crystal Requejo of the Mexican American Unity Council to discuss why estate planning matters and to share practical tips homeowners can use to protect their homes and their families’ futures.

Help Us Spread the Word

This week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, a great opportunity to spread the word about the importance of proactive estate planning and resolving title issues before they create a major problem. If you are a housing counselor, nonprofit, lender, or REALTOR®, we encourage you to explore these resources and share them with the families you serve. Together, we can help ensure that the homes Texans work so hard to buy remain in their families for generations to come.