As is the case in the rest of the country, minors here in Texas may not directly inherit property. If you leave a bequest in your will to someone under the legal age of majority, your executor will need to spend estate resources and time to appoint a conservator to...
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A pet trust can be there when you are not
As much as you love your car, your house or your boat, you can't leave an inheritance for them in your will. They are property, and as such, they are ineligible by law to receive an inheritance. You may be surprised to learn that your pets are also property in the...
When a will just isn’t enough, think trust
You know that you should at least have a will, just to prepare for what will come eventually. A will is a good place to start with any estate plan, but sometimes it just isn't enough. This is where trusts enter the picture. A trust may give you all the protections you...
Several estate planning documents are essential
For those with busy lifestyles in Texas, putting together a will is most likely not at the top of the to-do pile. However, deciding not to draft a will is risky, as death is unavoidable and can strike both the young and the old. In addition to creating a will, a few...
DIY estate planning presents some risks
For many families in Texas, making sure that their assets are passed down to their children is essential. Well-thought-out estate planning can make this possible. Although some families might be tempted to use online estate plan forms when completing this process,...
Estate planning can help with protecting inheritance for children
A sense of pride comes with knowing that there are assets available to pass down to a family's next generation in Texas. However, it can also be unsettling to think about the possibility of losing control of all the wealth that has been accumulated through hard work....
Wills, trusts better than joint tenancy
It is not uncommon for people in the state of Texas who want to avoid probate to utilize joint tenancy instead of creating trusts or wills. Joint tenancy is possible when the owner of an asset decides to transfer it to a beneficiary by placing the beneficiary's name...
Preventing family conflict is possible through estate planning
Estate battles involving celebrities are often witnessed in the news, but these fights often happen for typical families in the state of Texas as well. Family structures that are complex are becoming increasingly common. As a result, some steps, including estate...
Pet trust may be helpful estate planning tool for pet owners
For many families in Texas, their pets hold a special place in their lives. Unfortunately, these same pets are rarely given a place in their owners' estate plans. Estate planning is critical for ensuring that they receive the care they need after their owners'...
Estate planning important for pets, too
Talking about death is typically uncomfortable, which may be why putting together an estate plan is often avoided in Texas and elsewhere. However, because death cannot be avoided, estate planning is an essential to-do-list item. When creating an estate plan, it is...