Writing a will can provide many benefits to our families once we pass on. A will can prevent conflict between family members, clearly explain how property is to be distributed, and reduce our family’s costs in probate court. Any one of these goals makes the initial effort well worth it. Unfortunately, less than half of Americans have a written...
Continue ReadingWhen a person dies in Texas, their estate must be settled and distributed among their heirs. An estate is just a fancy word for describing all the things that a person owns, including their cash and investments. When lawyers talk about “probating” an estate, they simply mean settling the estate against any outstanding debts and liabilities. Whether a person...
Continue ReadingMaking a will is often a sensitive subject. Will your beneficiaries be pleased with your bequests, or will they be disappointed with how you have chosen to distribute your assets? If you are worried that disappointed or disgruntled beneficiaries might try to contest your will, you might consider including a no-contest clause in your will in Texas. What is...
Continue ReadingProbate can be a long, complicated process. Between the filings, deadlines, and court hearings, people often ask, Do I need a lawyer for probate? In most cases, the answer is yes. However, even when a probate attorney isn’t required by law, their services are invaluable and can often save you time and money when probating an estate. What Is...
Continue ReadingA power of attorney is a legal document that grants decision-making authority to someone (the agent) on behalf of another person (the principal). Depending on the terms of the document, the agent has the ability to access information and accounts and make life-altering decisions for the principal. Unfortunately, there are situations when the agent fails to use their power...
Continue ReadingBefore hiring the most experienced or the cheapest lawyer, it’s important to know what questions to ask an estate planning attorney. Estate planning involves discussing important and personal topics like your family, finances, and goals. When choosing an estate planning attorney, you want to be comfortable and confident with the person you choose. It’s likely that the attorney will...
Continue ReadingIf estate planning is on your to-do list, you might be wondering if writing a will is enough. Your will, however, is just one portion of estate planning. In this blog, we explain the difference between writing a will and estate planning and describe the different documents that make up an estate plan. What Is Estate Planning? Estate planning...
Continue ReadingOne of the best parts of living in the Lone Star State is its low tax burden. In fact, Texas has the 4th lowest state-local tax burden in the country as of 2022. One major reason for this is that Texas has no state-wide tax on personal income. Texas also doesn’t have a state-wide estate tax. That’ll make many...
Continue ReadingNot all states recognize handwritten wills—also known as holographic wills—as valid. Every state has its own rules, so a will can be valid in one place but not another. Handwritten wills in Texas are not only valid but just as effective as a typed will. That being said, a handwritten will is not the most reliable way to transfer...
Continue ReadingWhen someone passes away, the executor is in charge of handling the decedent’s estate. From finding assets to paying taxes to distributing real estate, the executor has a lot to do. Let’s walk through the different responsibilities of an executor of an estate. What Is an Executor of a Will? An executor, sometimes called an administrator or personal representative,...
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