Fort Bend County judge admits multiple wills, appoints executors and waives appraisers

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — The judge in Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 1 on Dec. 25 admitted multiple wills to probate and appointed executors or administrators in a half-day docket that included a string of uncontested estate matters.

In the first matter, the court admitted the will of Marcus Ken Schult (25 CPR 043282) and appointed Cheryl Lee Schulte as independent executrix to serve without bond; counsel asked that appraisers be waived and the court granted that request. The court made similar determinations in a series of matters, admitting wills and issuing letters testamentary or admitting documents as muniments of title for nontaxable estates.

Why it matters: Probate actions change legal ownership and authority to manage decedents’ assets. In routine uncontested dockets such as this, the court typically verifies signatures, confirms no post‑will children or divorces, and ensures the proposed fiduciary is qualified and not disqualified by law.

Most significant outcomes (as announced on the record): - Marcus Ken Schult (25 CPR 043282): will admitted; Cheryl Lee Schulte appointed independent executrix; appraisers waived. - Gladys Chevelle (25 CPR 043358): will admitted; Robin Sue Chevelle Schwartz appointed independent executrix; appraisers waived. - Esther V. Silver (25 CPR 043400): will admitted; Jonathan Jezecheel Michel appointed independent executor; appraisers waived. - Kenneth John Chiquay Sr. (25 CPR 043293): will admitted (pour‑over to living trust noted); Laurie Ann Stewart appointed independent executrix; appraisers waived. - Van Ashley Nynest (25 CPR 043052): will admitted; Lisa Ford Dixon appointed independent executrix; appraisers waived; court directed signing of proof and oath and e‑filing of documents. - Robert P. Archer (25 CPR 042666): will and first codicil admitted; Todd D. Archer appointed successor independent executor after the originally named executor was found incapacitated; appraisers waived. - Ching Sheng Lin (25 CPR 043418) and related case Yume/Yumei Lin (25 CPR 043417): wills admitted; Eddie Ho Kuan Lin appointed independent executor in each case; the court addressed the lapse beyond four years and found no default. - James L. Boggs (25 CPR 043431): will admitted as a muniment of title for a nontaxable estate. - Clarence McLemore (25 CPR 043135) and Cynthia M. Sanford (25 CPR 043385): wills admitted as muniments of title; the court required or waived standard affidavits as appropriate per each file.

On trustee matters, the court approved the resignation of a trustee in related Walton matters (14 CPR 026888 and 14 CPR 026889) and appointed Derek Michael Walton as successor trustee; the court also approved final accountings where no objections were on file and approved attorney fees without objection.

The judge repeatedly offered condolences to family members during the docket, saying, "I'm very sorry for your loss," as the court admitted evidence, took judicial notice of wills on file with the county clerk, and signed orders admitting wills to probate.

What’s next: In most of the admitted matters the court ordered the usual post‑probate steps: issuance of letters testamentary or letters of administration, filing of proofs and oaths (to be notarized), and e‑filing of documentation. Where a will was admitted as a muniment of title, the record reflects that the court handled the matter as a nontaxable estate and either required or waived ancillary affidavits consistent with the files.

The court concluded the docket and offered seasonal greetings to attendees before adjourning.