If you are handling a modestly valued estate, you may be wondering if you have to go through the dreaded probate process. Probate is not just for million-dollar estates. So how much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Texas? The short answer is the type of assets in the estate, not their value,...
Continue ReadingProbate costs can drastically minimize an estate’s value, especially if it is a modest one to begin with. For those handling an estate with a small value, you may be asking, Do you have to probate a small estate in Texas? A small estate affidavit, or SEA, is an alternative to traditional probate in Texas for a small estate....
Continue ReadingThe probate process can be expensive and time-consuming, but don’t stress quite yet. Not all estates have to go through probate. So when is probate necessary in Texas? The short answer is, if someone dies leaving assets solely in their name, then you need to probate the estate. Is Probate Always Necessary? No. Probate is the legal process of...
Continue ReadingThe process of filing probate may be confusing and overwhelming at first. Below, we answer your questions and provide a guide to filing probate in Travis County. Our Austin probate attorney at Robbins Estate Law are available to help you through the legal hurdles of probating an estate. How Do I File Probate in Travis County? The Travis County...
Continue ReadingWhat is Probate Law? Surely you’ve heard the term “probate”– but for most people it may sound like an alien term. What is it? And why does it seem like people want to avoid it? PROBATE is, according to Merriam-Webster, the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration...
Continue ReadingAccording to a 2016 study by Oregon State University and Portland State University, the average age of farmers and ranchers is now 60. An estimated 10 million acres of farmland will change ownership over the next 20 years, making farm succession and estate planning that much more critical. The Salem, Oregon Capital Press asks in its article, “Mental competence a key factor...
Continue ReadingWhen a person dies, and after his or her family members have dealt with their initial emotions, the real work begins, according to Kiplinger in the article “5 Things to Do the Moment a Loved One Passes Away.” If you know you are named as executor of the will, take these steps to be sure that the named beneficiaries receive as much...
Continue ReadingA recent Wealth Advisor article asks a very practical question you may face someday: “Your Parent Didn’t Have A Will: What Should You Do Now?” For starters, the article advises you to make a diligent search for a will, when a parent passes away. That includes a look through your parent’s paper records and file cabinets. You should also speak with their good...
Continue ReadingWorking with an elder law or estate planning attorney may be one of the best investments a person can make, reports nj.com in its article, “Why an estate planning attorney is worth the money.” You need to make sure that all of your documents are in order. This is not an easy thing to do on your own. With properly prepared estate planning...
Continue ReadingAfter Alan Thicke passed away from a ruptured aorta in 2016, his sons Robin and Brennan were named co-trustees of his estate, according to TMZ. Fox News reports in its story, “Alan Thicke’s widow claims late actor’s sons are spending trust, keeping her from inheritance” that Alan Thicke’s wife Tanya Callau feels the brothers are leaving her out of the loop and...
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