Court declares heirs in Jimmy Lee Williams estate; administration set for August if contested

Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 1 on Aug. 4, 2025 declared that Lakisha Williams and Tashondra (Tashondra) Williams are the heirs of the late Jimmy Lee Williams and discharged the attorney who handled the matter; the judgment of heirship was entered after testimony from the daughters, the decedent’s ex-wife and other relatives.

Why it matters: Declaring heirs resolves who is legally entitled to inherit the decedent’s separate property and clears the way for title transfers or administration. The court also awarded the attorney a fee of $2,788.50 and set next steps for administration if the parties cannot reach agreement.

Witnesses, including the daughters and the decedent’s former spouse Catherine Coleman, testified the decedent died March 15, 2016, at age 68, lived at 1101 Concord St., Richmond, and had two daughters and no other known children. The court found clear and convincing evidence of heirship and signed the judgment declaring heirship.

Because counsel indicated the parties might reach an agreement on administration, the judge set two dates: Aug. 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. via Zoom for an uncontested prove-up if an agreement is reached; and Aug. 5, 2025, at 9 a.m. in-court for a bench trial if the matter remains contested. The judge instructed counsel to circulate the signed order for signatures and noted continued problems in the court’s electronic order-signing queue could delay filing.

The court discharged the attorney ad litem and awarded the fee; parties were told to coordinate and submit the finalized order to the clerk promptly.