At the , we offer our clients an extensive amount of estate planning, estate administration and probate litigation experience. As legal advisers, we feel that one of our primary responsibilities is to use our prior experience and...
Year: 2015
Estate planning mistakes may have negative effects
People in Texas naturally prefer not to discuss topics involving death, which can include estate planning. However, not engaging in estate planning can have a detrimental effect on an individual's family, potentially leading to family feuds after the person's death....
Blended families may find estate planning process complicated
People naturally may not be interested in putting together a will simply because they prefer to avoid the topic of death. If they end up dying without a will, though, their true wishes regarding what happens to their property and valuable assets might not be upheld....
Always remember to identify beneficiaries on your 401(k)
No matter how well designed your will happens to be, it probably does not cover the disposition of your 401(k) and Individual Retirement Accounts. These accounts have a special form to designate beneficiaries of the funds. Unless Texas residents correctly...
Same-sex couples have unique estate planning needs
As same-sex marriage comes before the U.S. Supreme Court, many Texas residents are watching to see if the highest court in the land will rule that these unions must be recognized throughout the nation. That said, same-sex marriage is and will continue to be a topic of...
Estate planning tips: Remember to update beneficiary designations
Beneficiary designations listed on financial accounts can supersede anything written in a last will and testament. Even if a will is redrafted after a divorce, if the beneficiary designation on a 401(k) account is not updated to remove the ex-spouse, then the...
Texas law includes various types of probate
In Texas, if a person dies without having a documented will, the court steps in to oversee the distribution of his or her assets and administration of estate. This is known as the probate process, and depending upon the circumstances, it can be quite complicated....
Estate planning process features a few essential steps
People in Texas realize the importance of preparing for the future, such as investing for retirement purposes, but they are often not as excited about engaging in estate planning. After all, estate planning requires both time and effort, and people naturally prefer...
During estate planning, do not forget digital assets
Many Texas residents are astounded at the manner in which technology has changed our daily lives. The Internet in particular has had an enormous level of impact on the manner in which we communicate, share and store information. For those who are considering their...
Collectibles often an overlooked area of property distribution
Most people in Texas are likely aware of the importance of estate planning. While many know to whom they are going to give their money or real estate, they may be unsure about the future of a collection -- a collection that they may have spent a great deal of time,...