This section clarifies the effect of suicide on intestate succession under Texas law.
The Statutory Rule
Sec. 201.061. ESTATE OF PERSON WHO DIES BY SUICIDE.
The estate of a person who commits suicide descends or vests as if the person died a natural death.
Explanation
What it does: This section provides that a person’s estate passes in the same manner regardless of whether the person died by suicide or by natural causes.
Key concept: The manner of death does not alter intestate inheritance rights. Suicide does not:
cause forfeiture of the estate; or
change who is entitled to inherit or how the estate vests.
Scope: This provision addresses only the effect of suicide on descent and vesting. It does not govern:
life insurance proceeds (addressed elsewhere in the Code); or
survivorship or disqualification rules found in other statutes.
Practice note: This section ensures continuity of intestate succession rules by treating suicide the same as natural death for inheritance purposes.
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