Question: When and how can a probate estate be distributed to the heirs?

Answer:   Technically, the Texas Probate Code allows twelve months to pass from the time of the original grant of letters testamentary before any distributee may petition the court for distribution of the entire estate. Tex. Prob. Code section 373(a). However, an heir or distributee, or the executor may request partial distribution of any portion of the estate any time after the inventory has been filed and approved by the court. Tex. Prob. Code section 373(c).

Usually, the executor has ninety days from the time granted letters testamentary, unless this period is extended by the court, to file an inventory of the estate. Tex. Prob. Code section 250. Then the court takes varying amounts of time to review it, and not much can happen until the court has approved of the inventory by written order.