# Advice on inherited TX mineral rights
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172
**Category:** Martin County, TX
**Created:** [June 18, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172 "2026-06-18T01:29:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Notromlv82](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Notromlv82)
#### Post date: [June 18, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/1 "2026-06-18T01:29:34Z")
Hey everyone,
I’m hoping for some advice from people who know Texas mineral rights and inherited royalty interests.
I inherited a small interest in **Martin County, Texas** , tied to the **Eiland 34** lease. The legal description is:
> **SE/4 Section 34, Block 37, Township 1 North, T&P Ry Co Survey, Martin County, Texas**
From what I’ve been able to figure out, it’s a **non-participating royalty interest (NPRI)**, not a working interest. The title/history is a little messy because there are multiple family names and a few marriage/name changes in the chain, and there’s no will. The interest came through my grandmother, who died in **2004**.
Here’s what I know so far:
- The tract is **producing** and appears to be tied to **Eiland 34** #1 **and** #2, currently operated by **Diamondback E&P LLC**.
- I’ve seen some info that the operator may have changed over time (I’ve heard mentions of Diamondback and possibly other operators in the past), so I’m not 100% clear on the full operator history.
- My current working decimal has been estimated around **0.000279 (1/3584)** for the current unit.
- I’ve also seen the interest described at different levels depending on how the math is being done (different fractions and decimals have been mentioned), so I’m trying to confirm the exact decimal the operator recognizes.
- I have been contacted by buyers, including **Indio Minerals** and another landman/buyer who suggested a higher number if the title is clean.
- I **don’t** have a clean **division order** or recent **check stubs** yet that fully explain my exact decimal, so I’m trying to figure out the best next step.
- I’ve also heard about a nearby lease called **Harrold 34** (or similar) and I’m not sure if that’s related to my interest or just a neighboring lease.
I inherited about **11.48 mineral acres** tied to this interest. The minerals trace back to a **1945 reservation by the Hull family** , who carved out **1/2 of all royalties** as an NPRI and split it among **7 family branches**. My line runs through the **Orby/Alma Hull branch** , via my grandmother Georgia Lappie.
I’ve been contacted by buyers:
- **Indio Minerals** offered around **$1,000–$1,250** (I think this is lowball).
- **Jonathan Click** (a landman) said **$4,000–$5,000** would be reasonable if title is clean. I’ve considered asking **$3,500**.
I’m cautious about selling because:
- There may be **back pay / suspense funds** I don’t know about.
- I want to understand **long-term upside** vs. selling now.
- I want to make sure I’m not being “caroled into a cheap deal” (tricked into a bad deal).
What I’m hoping for, from people who’ve dealt with this kind of thing:
1. How do I confirm the **exact interest** the operator recognizes?
2. What documents should I ask for first — division order, title opinion, payment history, title chain, or something else?
3. Does a small producing NPRI like this usually get priced more on:
- current monthly income,
- future upside, or
- title risk?
4. If a buyer says the title is “messy,” how much does that usually knock off the value in real-world deals?
5. Are there any red flags I should watch for before signing an **engagement letter** or selling?
6. **How do I check if there are any suspense (unclaimed) funds tied to my interest?**
- I’ve heard operators sometimes hold payments in suspense when title isn’t clear.
- Is there a good way to ask Diamondback or look up whether there’s suspense under my grandmother’s name, my father’s name, or any related names?
- What should I say to the royalty department to ask about suspense without sounding like I’m accusing them of anything?
7. **How do operator changes on a lease like Eiland 34 affect my interest?**
- If the operator changed from one company to another (e.g., from an older operator to Diamondback), does that change who pays me, how much I get, or whether my title needs to be re-recorded?
- Do I need to do anything special to make sure I’m on the new operator’s pay list?
8. **Is the nearby lease called Harrold 34 related to my interest or just a neighboring lease?**
- How can I check if Harrold 34 is in the same unit or field as Eiland 34?
- If it’s separate, does production from Harrold 34 still matter for my value, or is my interest only tied to Eiland 34?
I’m not asking for legal advice from the forum, just real-world experience from people who’ve dealt with inherited Texas mineral/NPRI interests, especially in producing areas like Martin County.
Thanks in advance — I’m trying to figure out whether I should **hold** , **sell** , or keep pushing to **clean up the title first** , and I also want to know if there’s any **suspense money** I might be missing, how **operator changes** affect me, and whether **Harrold 34** is even related to my interest.
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### Author:  [@DPerson](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/DPerson)
#### Post date: [June 18, 2026, 9:39am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/2 "2026-06-18T09:39:52Z")
Hello, I’ve read your message and it’s quite clear to
Me that WE both have this problem in common. I personally have forged through the process since 2020 ( inheritance year ) and I can share my findings with you.
ITS LENGTHY and worth a phone call or more specifically an email.
I will share ALL that I’ve done and where I currently sit.
Just reply back and I’ll check back in a few hours.
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### Author:  [@TayNeatCPA](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/TayNeatCPA)
#### Post date: [June 18, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/3 "2026-06-18T13:31:27Z")
Check the TX Unclaimed Property Site if you have not already: [https://www.claimittexas.gov/](https://www.claimittexas.gov/)
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### Author:  [@Notromlv82](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Notromlv82)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2026, 12:31am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/4 "2026-06-19T00:31:13Z")
thank you for your reply im interested in whats the process is ,
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### Author:  [@Notromlv82](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/Notromlv82)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/6 "2026-06-20T01:12:53Z")
Hello so what have you found out about all this
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### Author:  [@DPerson](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/DPerson)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/7 "2026-06-20T03:27:24Z")
Because mine was inherited, I have to prove I am a legal heir. No one can get in front of a judge without a lawyer so that costs more than my share of what moneys are being held.
I wish you TOTAL & COMPLETE SUCCESS 🙏
I have to wait till the expense of hiring a lawyer is t burdensome
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### Author:  [@UV\_Jones\_IV](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/UV_Jones_IV)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/8 "2026-07-01T09:09:55Z")
I know you don’t want legal advice. Still, if you are dealing with intestate succession issues most of the time, you can clear that up with an affidavit of heirship, which basically is a sworn statement proving your heirship that you file with the county clerk. You may be able to do that yourself. You usually don’t have to go to court to prove that you are the heir. However, some operators will require you to file a proceeding to declare heirship, which is a more costly court action.
I’d get a hold of the operator and figure out what it takes to clear the title. The cost may not outweigh the benefit.
11.48 NMA sounds like a significant interest and may entitle you to a good run check. Plus, as you said, you could have money waiting in suspense for you.
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### Author:  [@TennisDaze](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/TennisDaze)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/9 "2026-07-01T16:01:31Z")
Given the complexities described - multiple family names, marriages, name changes and no will for grandmother and therefore for parents - an affidavit will be complex. It will need to comply with Texas intestacy laws and describe, from last deed, all owners, marital status, spouses, children and grandchildren, and their deaths, etc. and how the the minerals are divided end up among the most current generation. Perhaps all the heirs can jointly consult and pay for a title attorney.
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### Author:  [@UV\_Jones\_IV](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/UV_Jones_IV)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/10 "2026-07-01T16:59:18Z")
You bring up a good point. Depending on the specific facts, whichever avenue is used to fix the title, it may benefit more than one party, so it is only fair that everyone bear some of the cost. Many mineral owners do that.
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### Author:  [@AJ11](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/AJ11)
#### Post date: [July 3, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/11 "2026-07-03T09:14:38Z")
This is a link to a thread in this forum with Martin county information:
> [@Martin County minerals value](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/martin-county-minerals-value/65575):
>
> I signed DO with XTO 1st Nov 2021 two wells, LOHAN 9-1 and 9-2 in Section 9 Township 2 North Block 35 and have not received any money yet. Have small interest 1-2 NMA. Now have offer to buy my interest. The company says the lease has recently been permitted for horizontal oil and gas well. What are minerals selling for in this area?
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### Author:  [@system](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2026, 1:30am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/advice-on-inherited-tx-mineral-rights/88172/12 "2026-09-16T01:30:07Z")
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