Estate planning involves creating legal documents that provide instructions for your loved ones. Those documents become active after you die or if you cannot communicate your wishes. This article explores the estate planning services to expect when you work with an estate planning attorney, from creating a will to using trusts and similar assets and preparing for later life. ...
Continue ReadingMany believe creating a will is enough to plan for what happens before and after death. However, estate planning involves a broad range of tools and strategies designed to manage your property, finances, and healthcare decisions during your life and after. Understanding the difference between estate planning vs. a will—that a will is one component of a complete estate...
Continue ReadingTexas is one of only five states that offer ladybird deeds, a powerful estate planning tool. Included in this blog: So what is a ladybird deed, and why is it so special? A ladybird deed allows property owners to transfer ownership of their property to someone they select as a beneficiary upon their death. The deed bypasses the probate...
Continue ReadingAn individual’s passing may close the door on many possibilities, but it doesn’t always close the door on civil suits against the recently departed. If someone passed while owing you money, you can seek repayment from the estate of the person who passed (the decedent). However, you must make your claim on time. How long do you have to...
Continue ReadingWhen 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 provides a legal solution allowing heirs to claim their inheritance without needing a formal probate process. This document is beneficial for real estate transactions and...
Continue ReadingBeing 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 person’s (decedent’s) beneficiaries receive their shares. This hard work begins with compiling a comprehensive inventory of the decedent’s assets. So, how detailed does an estate...
Continue ReadingWhen planning for the end of life, you trust a lawyer to help you design an effective and efficient estate plan. Ensuring you select an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer who listens can help you attain the peace of mind of having a good estate plan. Understanding what your plans say and what will happen during estate and trust administration brings...
Continue ReadingAfter a person dies, their loved ones must usually manage their final affairs through estate administration in probate court. Naturally, people often look for ways to make the process less burdensome. One possibility is to seek independent administration, which requires everyone entitled to receive something from the estate’s consent and allows the estate’s representative to act without court approval. ...
Continue ReadingWhen a loved one dies, the last thing many people want to think about is navigating an unfamiliar legal process through probate court. If your loved one left a will, you may be able to bypass many of the steps of probate through muniment of title. Texas law authorizes this simplified process in limited circumstances, particularly if your loved...
Continue ReadingManaging a loved one’s affairs after they die is a process filled with grief and stress. Unfortunately, a lot of the stress comes from navigating the probate process. In limited circumstances, you can simplify the legal process using a small estate affidavit. Texas allows people to bypass parts of the probate process if the deceased person, the decedent, left...
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