In re the Estate of Garza

HOWE, Justice.

This matter arises in the aftermath of a murder-suicide. Rolando Garza shot and killed Diane, his wife of three years, on June 28, 1978. He then took his own life, leaving the couple’s two minor children orphaned. Cleo Garcia, Diane’s mother and maternal grandmother of the two children, was appointed their guardian.

On June 18, 1981, almost three years after Rolando’s death, Roman Garza, Rolando’s father, was appointed personal representative of his estate. He collected the assets of the estate, consisting of $12,-392.90 in life insurance proceeds, and published notice to…