There is no better time than now to begin the process of drafting one's will. However, for many Texas residents, estate planning is a foreign process filled with lots of difficult decisions and challenging thoughts about one's own death. Considering these challenges,...
Year: 2014
Texas estate planning: Is a will or a trust better for you?
Most people don't want to think about what is going to happen to their personal property when they die. For this reason, estate planning and the questions that arise from the process are usually the last thing on any Texas resident's mind. Nevertheless, the question...
Beneficiary concerns regarding the family farm in Texas
According to one agricultural estate planning expert, changing circumstances are making it more difficult for Texas residents to bequeath the family farm to their heirs. What worked for one generation will not necessarily work for the next due to constantly changing...
Blended families in Texas face complex estate planning issues
It is common now for many Texas families to be a combination of step-parents and half or step-siblings. However, with this comes some complex issues that do not typically exist in traditional estate planning. When it comes to blended families, trusts are often a...
Estate planning is vital, especially for professional athletes
Texas residents know the importance of estate planning, especially for those who make a significant income. Estate planning is especially important for professional athletes. In fact, it is a well-publicized fact that National Football League players often find...
Texas estate planning can include trusts
Readers in Texas may be interested to learn about the specifics of a new law in the area of estate planning. The estate planning law relates to the portability of the estate tax exemption. This could affect some 99 percent of those who have estates valued between $5...
Pet trusts becoming more common in Texas estate planning
Many in Texas and across the nation own pets and love them like family. However, surprisingly few people make considerations in their estate plan for these pets in the event that they die or are incapacitated. It seems that this might be changing, though, as the...
Heirs and beneficiaries can plan to avoid litigation in Texas
There are many benefits for people in Texas who have begun the estate planning process. Among these are the ability to leave specific items to heirs and beneficiaries. This detailed information can help limit the chances that litigation over ownership will ensue after...
Texas probate matters include a review of documents
When a person in Texas who has completed an estate plan dies, their estate often goes through the probate process. Probate is the court procedure through which documents such as a will are reviewed and, in most cases, the directives of these documents as to the...