Inherited mineral rights in Texas: what to do first

If you inherited Texas mineral rights, the work is mostly paperwork: prove the chain of title, find what is producing, and get the operator to pay you.

1. Confirm what you own

Ownership is established through the recorded chain of deeds, assignments and probate documents, not by a royalty check or an offer letter. In Texas, private property records are kept by the county (MRX learning center). Gather the will or probate order, prior deeds, and any old check stubs or division orders.

2. Find the wells and the operator

Old check stubs list the operator and usually the RRC lease number. Search the county page for the lease name, or use the RRC GIS map and Production Data Query (step by step). RRC data shows wells, operators and production; it does not prove who owns the minerals.

3. Contact the operator's owner relations team

Send the operator the recorded documents so it can transfer the interest and issue a new division order. Under Texas Natural Resources Code §91.504, a royalty owner can request information from the payor including itemized deductions and the RRC lease ID (RRC Royalties FAQ).

4. Check for unclaimed royalties

Unpaid royalties can be turned over to the Texas Comptroller as unclaimed property; search ClaimItTexas.gov under the deceased owner's name.

5. Decide: keep or sell

Look at the production trend on the lease page before reacting to unsolicited offers, and see how to sell mineral rights.

Not legal advice. Title questions may need a Texas oil and gas attorney.