When a married couple creates a marital trust, that trust splits into a bypass trust and a survivor’s trust after the death of the first spouse. While the surviving spouse uses the survivor’s trus...
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You’re nearing retirement. Your kids are grown or nearly there. You’ve built a life you’re proud of. Maybe you have a home, a modest retirement account, and some savings, and now you’re wonde...
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Creating a trust can be one of the smartest estate planning decisions a married couple makes. However, with so many types of trusts available, it can be difficult to determine which one offers the mos...
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Being the personal representative or executor for the estate of someone who passed away is a big deal. Taking on the role means properly paying debts from the estate and ensuring that the deceased per...
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A will is a key estate planning document that instructs the court on managing your affairs after death. Unfortunately, the will is completely useless if you do not meet all the legal requirements and ...
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For married couples who want to leave everything to each other, a joint will might sound like a good idea. There’s an assumption that creating a joint will for both spouses is less expensive and mor...
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When a loved one dies without a will, you may be unsure of what to do and have lots of questions. Where do you even start? Who gets the assets in the estate? Who is the executor of an estate in Texas ...
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Guardianship and power of attorney are two methods to handle the affairs of someone who cannot do so for themselves. Whether a disabling condition is temporary or permanent, both guardianship and powe...
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Common law marriage (or informal marriage) is a legal mechanism for a couple to access marital rights without a formal ceremony. Both heterosexual and homosexual couples may have a common law marriage...
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When a loved one passes away without a will, it can leave their family members in a difficult position, especially when it comes to transferring property and assets. In Texas, an affidavit of heirship...
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