Houston Texas Estate Planning Blog
How 529 accounts can fit into estate plans
Texas residents who are looking to move assets outside of their estates will typically make gifts to irrevocable trusts. However, the downside to an irrevocable trust is that an individual loses control of that asset once the gift is made. This means that he or she is...
Why you should consider creating a trust
Right now, you may be sitting in your Texas home contemplating when and how you will begin crafting your estate plan. If you are like many folks, you might feel uncomfortable thinking about your own mortality. However, there are many great reasons why you should...
Appointing the right people under a power of attorney
Some people in Texas might have heard that a power of attorney can be a useful tool as part of an estate plan. This is true, but it also a powerful tool, and this means that it should be created with care. A power of attorney can give another individual power over a...
What to look for during an estate plan review
Texas residents and others may believe that their estate plan accurately represents their final wishes. However, it is important to review an estate plan every so often to ensure that this is the case. During a review, it is a good idea to determine if a will is...
The dangers of not creating a custom estate plan
Texas residents may decide to use boilerplate forms to construct their estate plans. They might believe that doing so will be an easier and less expensive way to adequately meet their needs. However, there could be a variety of unintended consequences that occur as a...
How to begin probate when a person dies intestate
The estate of a person who dies intestate will likely need to be settled by going to a Texas probate court. The probate process will determine how the assets will be distributed or transferred. Initiating a probate proceeding may limit the amount of time that a...
How wills and trusts differ
When people in Texas create an estate plan, they may use a will, a trust, or other documents to pass assets to beneficiaries. Wills do not take effect until after a person's death. Trusts generally take effect immediately unless they are testamentary trusts. A...
The role of a successor trustee
Texans who have been named as successor trustees might wonder what they will be expected to do once the grantors pass away or become incapacitated and unable to continue making decisions for themselves. Successor trustees need to understand what will be expected of...
Houston residents ought to consider this estate planning tool
Thinking about dying is not something most Houston residents want to do. This makes estate planning an arduous task. Considering what to do with property after death is one thing, but considering what kind of end-of-life measures a person may want could be too much....
Have you reviewed your will recently?
Estate planning is a complex subject, and there are many different issues that converge to make your estate. However, if there is one central point to all of these entangled matters, it is the will. Your will is incredibly important and it provides the backbone to...
