Creating a comprehensive estate plan involves far more than simply writing a basic will. Under the Texas Estates Code, effective planning combines asset protection, tax management, incapacity preparedness, and probate-avoidance strategies tailored to your family's unique situation.
In this section of our blog, we publish detailed guides and insights on estate planning strategies for homeowners, business owners, investors, and families across Texas.
When an out-of-state will fails Texas probate, the consequences can range from costly court delays to losing an inheritance entirely. Texas has specific rules for recognizing foreign wills, and a docu...
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Inheritance disputes arise when family members or others who may be entitled to receive a portion of a deceased person’s (decedent’s) property disagree about money, property, or decision-making autho...
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A Texas family was shocked when a $300,000 retirement account went directly to an ex-spouse, despite a detailed will leaving everything to the new wife and children. The problem was a single forgotten...
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Imagine sitting at your kitchen table, looking at a stack of documents, and realizing you have no plan for what will happen to them or your family if something happens to you. Maybe you recently lost...
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Most people who ask, “Can you write your own will?” are not trying to cut corners. They want clarity, efficiency, and a sense of control without unnecessary expense. Online forms and templates promis...
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Updated September 11, 2026 Many Texas families discover too late that a parent's last will and testament is legally void because it missed a single statutory requirement, forcing the estate into a cos...
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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 more ...
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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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Several factors can complicate the estate planning process. Owning properties in multiple states is one example. Moving to a new state or splitting time between states is another. It’s essential to co...
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Contesting a will is an expensive way to question if someone’s will is valid. The process involves litigation, which means you’ll owe court costs and attorney fees. You may be wondering, How much does...
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Hand writing your own will might seem like a good idea. You can put down exactly what you want without paying a lawyer to do it. So are handwritten wills legal in Texas? Yes, but they come with risks....
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Updated September 21, 2026 Texas probate courts do not automatically grant you access to a deceased parent's bank account simply because you are their oldest child. Before a financial institution rele...
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Updated September 1, 2026 Most Texas families assume a will is the budget option and a trust is the luxury upgrade. Under Texas Estates Code § 256.001, a will generally is not effective to prove title...
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Losing a loved one is never easy. On top of the sadness and grief, families also need to finalize their loved one’s affairs. The process of transferring the assets of a person’s estate after they pass...
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Updated September 1, 2026 Texas law does not wait for you to create a will before deciding who gets your property. When someone dies without one, the Texas Estates Code hands that decision to a fixed ...
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