Judge appoints brother as administrator for estate of Richard Burton Rogers

A Fort Bend County judge on Aug. 4, 2025 declared the heirs of Richard Burton Rogers and appointed his brother, Robert David Rogers, as the independent administrator of the estate. The court found the decedent died intestate on April 10, 2024, and that administration was necessary to distribute real and financial assets.

Why it matters: The appointment gives Robert Rogers legal authority to collect assets, pay any claims and convey property, and the court waived the need for appraisers and accepted a power-of-attorney consent from another brother, Charles Reed Rogers Jr., allowing Robert to serve without posting a bond.

During the hearing, witnesses John Michael Wooldridge and Matthew Patrick Wooldridge — who testified about the decedent's residence, family history and lack of a spouse or children — supported the court's finding that the decedent left no will and that his next of kin are the siblings listed in the judgment declaring heirship. The court discharged Fred Reapen as attorney ad litem and awarded him a $650 fee.

The court explicitly noted there is a necessity for administration because the estate includes both real property and financial accounts that must be distributed among heirs. The judge thanked the witnesses and noted clerical delays in the electronic order-signing system could postpone issuance of the written orders.

The appointment authorizes Robert David Rogers to act as independent administrator; the court made no finding of contested claims at the hearing and did not set a bond because a written power of attorney from Charles Reed Rogers Jr. was presented consenting to service without bond.

The matter concluded with the court discharging the attorney ad litem and instructing parties to watch for the written orders in the court system.