According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, marriage rates throughout the United States have steadily declined since the 1980s. However, that doesn’t mean there are fewer people in committed relationships. In fact, studies show that the number of Americans living with an unmarried partner is growing, indicating the public’s shift on perceptions of marriage. That...
Continue ReadingA crucial step in the administration of someone’s estate after the individual passes away is determining the value of an estate. After all, you cannot fairly divide and distribute the estate’s assets to your descendants if you do not know what the estate is worth. Navigating the complexities of estate distribution and calculating the estate valuation of personal property,...
Continue ReadingWhen planning a will, many people assume that filling out a single document or form is enough to divide their property appropriately upon death. Unfortunately, this often results in unforeseen problems, such as beneficiaries contesting the will. At Massingill, we are dedicated to helping clients protect their legacy and give their family peace of mind. Contact us today for...
Continue ReadingSetting up a living trust is often a highly efficient method of maintaining control over your assets while preparing to pass them on to descendants. However, you must take steps to prepare your assets for the trust. Transferring ownership of your property to your trust is one such step. Ensuring that a trust officially owns all the assets you...
Continue ReadingA properly formed and executed estate plan can ensure loved ones benefit from all a decedent’s property once they pass. Unfortunately, not everyone can perfectly manage their assets and make the proper arrangements to pass them on with little effort. Sometimes, valuable property can fall through the cracks. During the probate process, the families of the deceased relative might...
Continue ReadingThe Texas Estates Code sets out a process for overseeing the distribution of an estate’s assets. Intestate estates (those where the decedent left no will), and an estate with assets that are not exempt, must go through probate. Though the process is relatively straightforward, several issues that might interrupt the distribution of the estate to heirs can arise. From...
Continue ReadingProbate can be a long, complicated process. Between the filings, deadlines, and court hearings, people often ask, Do I need an attorney 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 ReadingWhen someone dies, their assets are usually divided into two legal categories: probate and non-probate assets. But what are probate assets? And what does it mean when something is categorized as non-probate? Whether an asset is considered probate or non-probate property will determine how it will be distributed after a person’s death. In this post, the Austin probate attorneys...
Continue ReadingWorries about the costs of estate planning are normal. Unfortunately, these worries often lead to prolonged procrastination. Many Americans let their concerns about costs stop them from formulating an estate plan. In fact, less than half of Americans have a will. Without a will, you are putting your estate and your loved ones in a bad position once you...
Continue ReadingAfter a person dies, their estate must go through an official legal process before it is distributed to beneficiaries. This process ensures that the estate pays its debts and gets distributed according to the decedent’s wishes if they left a will or state law if they did not leave a will. This process is called probate. However, not all...
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