Houston Texas Estate Planning Blog

Drafting a last will and testament may not be a top priority. Yet, estate planning is important for people at any age, especially if you have young children or are the caregiver of an adult. It is important to know who will take care of your loved ones should something unexpected happen, rendering you unable to make critical decisions regarding their care. Appointing a guardian in your last will and testament may be one of the  most critical decisions you make, and it is essential that you understand what types of guardianships are available. 

In addition to appointing a guardian to care for minor children, you can declare someone as guardian of an incapcitated adult or elder citizen. If you are unable to maintain care of that person, the guardian will be given legal rights to make decisions on their behalf. Full guardianship gives full responsibility and decision-making rights over a person’s financial, medical and legal affairs. 

When people think of tasks that need to be completed, creating a last will and testament may not come to mind. It is difficult to think of a time where we will not be here with friends and loved ones. It may also be a far reach to consider what will happen to the property and assets one has accumulated during a lifetime after they pass. Whether one has just reached retirement age or is just starting a family, it is important to consider creating a will. This document records what will happen to the estate if an unexpected accident should occur. 

There are many critical details to include in the last will and testament to ensure everything runs smoothly once one passes away. The executor of the estate and will is one who will be in charge of taking the estate through the probate process and ensure everything is handled according to the wishes stated in the will. If an executor is not named in the last will and testament, one will be appointed by the state. If possible, one should choose a responsible executor that they trust to oversee the finalization of the will. 

At Doehring & Doehring, Attorneys at Law, we understand that complicated estate planning needs tailored, creative solutions. That is why we work with our clients from the formation of an initial plan to the ongoing maintenance and updating that is typically necessary.

While every client is different, there is a relatively standard process. Knowing the general steps could help shape your expectations about approaching a complex estate plan. Please read on for a brief overview.

After the death of a loved one, many Texas residents find it comforting to learn that their family member left something behind for them. In some cases, the assets could be of value, or they could be sentimental. Whatever the case, individuals are often keen on obtaining the bequests intended for them.

Of course, if you believe that you are a beneficiary, you may want to remember that there are different types of beneficiaries and that you may not necessarily stand first in line to obtain a particular asset. If the probate process for your loved one's estate is about to begin, you may want to know what that means for you as a possible beneficiary.