Texas law does not require you to have a will to pass your estate on to your heirs. However, for most people, it is a good idea to have one anyway. Why do you need a will as part of your estate plan? What is a will? A will is a legal document that specifies what you...
Creating an estate plan feels like a lot of hard work, time and effort when you first get started. Make no mistake, though: this is a lengthy process with no true "end". Though you can get the bulk of the work done and out of the way early, it is not a simple...
When planning your estate, you have to consider all of your children, stepchildren and other heirs you may include within your estate plan. One of the biggest mistakes some parents make is treating all kids equally. While you may want to be fair to your children,...
Your estate plan may not be one of the first things on your mind when adjusting to life in a new state. However, as a new Texas resident, you should consider updating it. Which documents should you update? Will There are Texas laws you can take advantage of to make...
Having a will is one of the most effective ways to reduce Texas probate costs and avoid dissension among your beneficiaries. Depending on the size and scope of your property, you can give your loved one's peace of mind by adding trusts, a power of attorney and advance...
The estate planning process is something that can be easy to put off indefinitely. Still, if you want to have some control over what happens to your assets, you probably want to get started as soon as possible. In addition to writing a will, you may want to set up a...
Many experts in the field consider a health care directive an essential piece of estate planning. Along with a simple will and a financial power of attorney, this document provides crucial protections for individuals and families. An advanced health care directive...
Like many people across Texas, you may not give much thought to estate planning until a major life event prompts you to do so. Having an estate plan offers benefits at all stages of life, but you may find it especially important to create one once you have your first...
Once you take care of your estate, do you plan to look at the essential documents again? Adopting a set-it-and-forget mentality could cost you and your beneficiaries. CNBC explores the dangers of outdated beneficiary designations. Learn how to avoid this costly...
When it comes time to close an estate, the executor must file an annual account. The judge should examine the account within ten days to ensure that everything checks out. Some executors do not realize that in some cases, account rejections can garner contempt of...