Texas HB 3395 (2025) | Estate Planning for Manufactured Homes in Texas

What is Texas HB 3395?

In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3395, a groundbreaking law that directly affects estate planning for manufactured-home owners. Effective September 1, 2025, HB 3395 allows homeowners to name a beneficiary who will inherit their manufactured home upon their death—without having to go through probate.

This change is important because manufactured homes are often treated as personal property, and historically, probate was required to transfer ownership. HB 3395 introduces a transfer-on-death style option that makes passing down these homes quicker, cheaper, and less stressful for families. (Texas Legislature Online)

Why does HB 3395 matter for estate planning in Texas?

Estate planning is about ensuring that your assets go to the right people with minimal delays and costs. For many Texas families, a manufactured home represents one of their most valuable assets. Without this law, heirs often had to wait months in probate court before gaining legal ownership.

Now, HB 3395 provides a clear and legally binding way to name a beneficiary who will receive the home immediately upon the owner’s death. This avoids probate, saves families money on legal fees, and eliminates unnecessary delays. For individuals who want to simplify their estate plan, this law offers an effective alternative to trusts or complex wills.

How does the new beneficiary designation process work?

Under HB 3395, the process is straightforward:

• • The homeowner files a beneficiary designation form with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

• • During life, the owner keeps full rights to sell, refinance, or revoke the designation at any time.

• • When the homeowner passes away, ownership automatically transfers to the beneficiary.

• • The beneficiary has 365 days (or 180 days if there are joint owners) to file the required paperwork and update the title.

• • Any mortgages or liens remain in place, meaning the beneficiary inherits those obligations along with the property.

This creates a transfer-on-death system, similar to payable-on-death bank accounts or transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. (BillTrack50 – HB 3395 Summary)

Who benefits most from HB 3395?

This law will be especially helpful for:

• • Families where a manufactured home is the primary residence.

• • Seniors who want to make inheritance easy for children or a spouse.

• • Texans looking for a low-cost alternative to trusts and wills.

• • People who want to avoid probate court delays and give heirs faster access to housing.

For these groups, HB 3395 provides peace of mind that their loved ones won’t be burdened by complex legal procedures when they pass away.

What are the limitations of this law?

While HB 3395 simplifies estate planning, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It applies only to manufactured homes classified as personal property, not traditional real estate. Beneficiaries will also inherit any existing debts tied to the home, such as mortgages or liens.

Additionally, this law only governs the transfer of the home itself. Other assets—like savings accounts, vehicles, or investments—will still require other estate planning tools, such as a will or trust. Finally, joint ownership can create complications, since both owners must agree on any beneficiary changes.

When does Texas HB 3395 take effect?

The timeline for HB 3395 is as follows:

• • Filed: February 2025

• • Passed Legislature: Spring 2025

• • Signed into law: June 2025

• • Effective date: September 1, 2025

Once it becomes law, Texas homeowners can officially begin filing beneficiary designations. (FastDemocracy Texas HB 3395 Tracker)

How does HB 3395 compare to other estate planning options?

Texans already have several tools to transfer assets outside of probate, such as wills, living trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds. HB 3395 now extends those options to manufactured homes.

For example, while a will still requires probate, a transfer-on-death deed lets homeowners pass down traditional real estate more easily. Similarly, HB 3395 offers the same benefit for manufactured homes by bypassing probate entirely. This alignment of laws makes Texas estate planning more consistent and accessible.

What should Texans do now?

If you or your family own a manufactured home, now is the time to prepare:

1. 1. Review your estate plan to see how HB 3395 can help.

1. 1. Confirm whether your home is classified as personal property.

1. 1. Plan to file a beneficiary designation starting September 2025.

1. 1. Update other estate planning documents—like wills or trusts—to avoid conflicts.

1. 1. Speak with an experienced estate planning attorney to ensure all your assets are protected.

Final Thoughts

Texas HB 3395 is a major step forward in estate planning for manufactured-home owners. By creating a simple, non-probate transfer option, it ensures families can inherit quickly, without the delays and expenses of probate court.

At Adam Bernards Attorneys, we help Texas families understand and use new laws like HB 3395 to protect their homes and secure their legacies.

📞 Call us at +1 346 3556 111 or 📧 email info@adambernards.com to learn how HB 3395 fits into your estate plan.