Blended families carry both joy and complexity. You want to care for your new spouse and still honor promises to children from a prior marriage. Texas community-property rules add unique opportunities—and risks. A customized agreement brings clarity now and prevents conflict later. Start by Labeling What Belongs Where Property you…
If you have taken the first step and created your will with the help of a Houston estate planning attorney, know that you are making important strides toward protecting your loved ones long after you are gone. Even after you write your will or estate plan, however, it is still…
In our blog posts in the past, we have reviewed the process of creating, probating, and enforcing a will. In many cases, this process is straightforward, but there are times when complicated factors sneak in. For example: what happens if a person dies with two wills? Which will serve as…
Estate planning is an essential part of any adult’s financial future. A common misconception, however, is that estate planning is only for older individuals. In reality, it is a process that all adults, no matter their age, should consider. At McCulloch & Miller, we speak to many young professionals that…
What do you think of when you hear the words “estate plan”? For most people, estate planning brings to mind wills, trusts, and perhaps the probate process. There are, however, many other tools available to you in Houston, Texas, when you create your estate plan. Here, we outline five of…
Eco-friendly homes are those that are built using environmentally conscious materials and appliances. In recent years, eco-friendly building in Texas has shifted from one-off construction to budding communities of sleek, sustainable housing. Eco-friendly property owners all have one thing in common: Each of them has taken the initiative to plan…
Houston families with adopted children have to keep certain concerns in mind while estate planning. If a child is not formally and legally adopted, that child generally will not receive the same treatment in the event of a parent’s death. Inheritance and property will not usually pass on to that…
There are many reasons people may want to avoid creating or revising their Houston estate plan as they age. Some may say they do not have the time or money to sit down with an attorney. Others may think that it is unnecessary. However, often, it boils down to a…
Sometimes, despite best intentions and best efforts, an estate plan leaves unintended problems for heirs, trustees and others to solve. For example, a trust may have become outdated because of changes in tax laws, the birth or death of family members, or special circumstances like an heir’s disability. When an…
A will and a trust are separate legal documents that typically share a common goal of facilitating a unified estate plan. While these two items ideally work in tandem, since they are separate documents, they sometimes run in conflict with one another–either accidentally or intentionally. A revocable trust, commonly called…