When a Texas estate is administered independently, the executor named in the will does not need the probate court's permission to sell the decedent's real property. The executor deed carries out that sale, conveying the estate's interest to a buyer and recording, on the face of the document, where the executor's authority comes from. This form prepares that deed for a court-appointed independent executor of a testate Texas estate.

Where the Executor's Authority Comes From

Title to a decedent's real property does not sit unowned. Under Estates Code Section 101.001, property devised by a will vests in the devisees the moment the owner dies, subject to administration. For an independent executor the power to convey runs along one of two tracks. Section 356.002 provides that where the will authorizes the executor to sell the testator's property, no court order is needed. Section 402.052 adds that unless the will limits it, an independent executor has the same power of sale a representative would have in a supervised administration, but without court approval. This form records which track the executor relies on, and the completed example cites both the power in the will and Section 402.052.

A Deed a Buyer Can Rely On

Estates Code Section 402.053 is what makes the deed workable in the market. A buyer who is not a devisee or heir and deals in good faith need not investigate the power of sale where the will grants it, the appointing order grants it under Section 401.006, or the executor records a sworn affidavit that the sale is necessary or advisable for a purpose listed in Section 356.251. No devisee or heir has to join the deed for the buyer to take all right, title, and interest of the estate.

Why the Warranty Is Limited

An executor conveys property the executor never owned personally, so a full general warranty would have the executor guaranteeing a chain of title the executor was never part of. Texas executor deeds instead carry a special warranty, stated expressly here: the grantor, as independent executor, defends title only against claims arising by, through, or under the grantor in that capacity. The form then expressly excludes the implied covenants of Property Code Section 5.023, the covenants the words of grant would otherwise carry, so the warranty is the stated special warranty and nothing broader.

Signing, Capacity, and Recording

The grantor signs in the fiduciary capacity, not individually, and the acknowledgment certificate names the grantor as independent executor of the named estate. A spouse of the executor does not join, because the executor conveys estate property rather than the executor's own homestead. The signed deed is recorded with the county clerk of the county where the property is located, carrying the confidentiality notice required by Property Code Section 11.008 at the top of the first page.

The package includes the blank deed as a fillable PDF, a completed example on a realistic Travis County fact pattern, and a plain language guide that walks through every section. The materials are informational and are not legal advice. An intestate estate, where the court issues letters of administration instead, is conveyed with an administrator's deed; a living owner selling property held in the owner's own name uses one of the warranty, no-warranty, or quitclaim deed forms.

How to Use This Form

Select your county from the list above
Download the county-specific form
Fill in the required information
Have the document notarized if required
Record with your county recorder's office

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Common Uses for Executor Deed (Independent Executor)

Document property-related rights that are not covered by a deed
Provide notice of a property interest to third parties
Memorialize an agreement affecting real property for public record
Establish authority to act on behalf of a business entity
Record a statement of authority for an LLC or partnership
Document a property-related agreement in the public record

Compare other Texas deed forms and documents

General Warranty Deed (Individual Grantor) General Warranty Deed (Joint Grantors) General Warranty Deed with Vendor Lien (Individual Grantor) General Warranty Deed with Vendors Lien (Third-Party Lender) Deed Without Warranty Gift Deed Without Warranty Gift Deed Special Warranty Special Warranty Deed (Individual Grantor) Special Warranty Deed (Joint Grantors) Grant Deed (Individual Grantor) Grant Deed (Joint Grantors) Quitclaim Deed Correction Deed Transfer on Death Deed (Individual) Transfer on Death Deed (Joint Owners with Right of Survivorship) Transfer on Death Deed (Community Property with Right of Survivorship) Community Property Survivorship Agreement Revocation of Community Property Survivorship Agreement Enhanced Life Estate Deed Revocation of Transfer on Death Deed (Individual) Revocation of Transfer on Death Deed (Joint Owners) Affidavit of Death (Transfer on Death Deed Beneficiary) Easement Deed Termination of Easement Administrator Deed Affidavit of Heirship Trustee Deed Certificate of Trust Disclaimer of Interest Mineral Deed Mineral Quitclaim Deed Specific Power of Attorney for the Purchase of Property Specific Power of Attorney for the Sale of Property Statutory Durable Power of Attorney Demand for Payment Notice of Contractual Retainage Notice of Specially Manufactured Materials Preliminary Notice to Original Contractor Preliminary Notice to Owner and Original Contractor Affidavit of Lien Request for Information from Owner Request for Information from Subcontractor Request for Information from Original Contractor Conditional Waiver and Release on Progress Payment Conditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment Unconditional Waiver on Progress Payment Unconditional Waiver on Final Payment Release of Lien Contract for Deed Memorandum of Contract Deed of Trust and Promissory Note Release of Lien - by Deed of Trust and Note Appointment of Substitute Trustee for Deed of Trust Assignment of Deed of Trust Collateral Assignment of Note and Liens (Security Agreement) Release of Collateral Transfer of Note and Lien Collateral Assignment of Leases, Rents and Rights Release of Collateral Assignment of Leases and Rents Lis Pendens Lis Pendens Release

Important: County-Specific Forms

Our executor deed (independent executor) forms are specifically formatted for each county in Texas.

After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.

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