A 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 2019. 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,...
Continue ReadingA last will and testament is a foundational estate planning document. In a will, you can lay out how you want your assets distributed upon your death. You also name an executor who will oversee your estate. While this concept is straightforward in principle, there are many factors to consider when drafting a will. Most importantly, you need to...
Continue ReadingOne of the most important decisions to make when estate planning is deciding who will inherit your assets. Your last will and testament will include these decisions in the form of bequests. So what does bequest mean in a will? Generally speaking, a bequest is how you instruct who gets what when you die. There are many different kinds...
Continue ReadingEstate planning for business owners is one of the most important but overlooked parts of setting up a business. Often, folks wait until it’s too late to have conversations about their wishes for their small business after they pass on. When setting up your business, estate planning for small business owners can be an essential component of preparing for...
Continue ReadingThere may come a time when a person loses the ability to communicate his or her health care decisions. Whether the person loses capacity as a result of an accident, disease, or old age, it can be a difficult time for everyone involved. To ease the emotional stress of these types of situations, Texans should consider completing a medical...
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