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Court appoints sister as dependent administratrix for Felicia Melton and sets $15,000 bond
Summary
The court found Felicia Reyna Melton died intestate, declared heirs, appointed Kathy Shay Harrington as dependent administratrix, waived appraisers and set bond at $15,000 pending inventory of unknown bank and real estate values.
A Fort Bend County judge on Aug. 4, 2025 appointed Kathy Shay Harrington as dependent administratrix of the estate of Felicia Reyna Melton, who died April 10, 2022, and set bond at $15,000.
Why it matters: The court determined administration is necessary because the estate includes real property and financial accounts of uncertain value. The bond provides a minimum level of security for the estate while inventories are completed.
During testimony, witnesses including Sherry Baker and Aaron Ray Wallace — both first cousins who said they knew Melton her entire life — told the court Melton had been married twice (divorces in 1992 and 2009), had no surviving children and had no known will. The applicant, Kathy Shay Harrington, testified a diligent search found no will, and that she seeks letters of dependent administration and waivers of appraisers because the estate is nontaxable.
The court set an interim bond of $15,000 “for now,” saying the amount would likely be adjusted once the inventory and accountings reveal the value of the bank account and the inherited real property. The judge also noted the clerk’s electronic order-signing system was experiencing delays and that the written order might not post immediately.
The court discharged the attorney ad litem and awarded routine Litem fees in other estates during the docket; in this case the judge instructed parties to file the inventory and list of claims once they are obtained so the bond can be adjusted if needed.
