Heirs Agree To Divide Ranch: Brite heirs settle 65,000-acre dispute; avert jury trial and sale

A bitter family dispute over one of West Texas’s most historic ranches has taken an unexpected turn, with the heirs agreeing to divide the sprawling property rather than force a sale of the entire estate. The agreement involving the 65,000-acre Brite Ranch was reported by The Big Bend Sentinel on October 8, 2026, shortly before a jury trial was scheduled to begin. Court records from the Texas Court of Appeals and historical accounts published by the Texas State Historical Association provide further context on the dispute and the ranch’s legacy. The settlement brings the family closer to resolving a legal battle that began in 2018, when disagreements over trust management and the distribution of ranch income escalated into years of litigation. Valued at an estimated $60 million or more, the property has long been both a family asset and a significant part of Presidio County’s history.Four heirs, four portions of the ranchUnder the proposed settlement, the ranch would be divided into four portions for Jim White, his brother Mac White, their sister Hester Ann White and Geoffrey Connor, the adopted son of Mac and the late Beau White. The agreement marks a major shift in the dispute. H...