Dallas investors often own rentals in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, or beyond. When you pass, each state wants its own probate for local real estate—a slow, expensive loop called ancillary probate. A revocable trust can bypass that loop entirely. With the right deed work and a clear management plan, your trustee…
Articles Posted in Estate Planning
Estate Planning for High-Rise Condominium Owners in Uptown and Victory Park
High-rise living brings amenities, views, and rules. If you own a condo in Uptown or Victory Park, your estate plan must fit building policies, HOA bylaws, and lender expectations. A little preparation prevents probate delays, HOA fines, and unhappy neighbors—while preserving value when it is time to sell or transfer.…
Estate Planning For Austin Artists With Gallery Consignment And Merchandise Revenue
Austin artists build value through originals, prints, merchandise, and a reputation that lives online. When an artist dies or becomes disabled, confusion over consignment contracts, online shops, and intellectual property can freeze income and scatter the archive. A focused estate plan protects your work, pays your bills, and guides your…
Using Family Limited Partnerships To Hold Hill Country Acreage Near Austin
Hill Country acreage carries memories, water, and wide horizons—but it also carries management challenges. Multiple siblings, roaming property lines, county taxes, and seasonal income make succession tricky. A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) can centralize control, protect against creditor chaos, and hand the land to the next generation with fewer court…
Crafting Succession Plans for East Austin Duplexes and ADUs
East Austin’s duplexes and backyard ADUs mix rental income with neighborhood character. They also create unique succession questions when an owner dies or becomes incapacitated. If you plan now, tenants keep paying, contractors keep showing up, and your heirs receive a property that is easy to manage or sell. A…
Estate Planning for Dallas Physicians—Guarding Against Malpractice Creditors
Your calling serves patients, but it also exposes wealth to risk. Even with strong insurance, a single claim, business dispute, or personal guarantee can threaten savings. A Dallas-ready estate plan builds layers of protection while keeping life simple for your family. Start With the Protections Texas Already Gives You Texas…
Pet Trusts for Austin Families
Your pets are family. You want them fed, loved, and safe even if something happens to you. A pet trust turns that wish into a binding plan, providing money, care instructions, and oversight that lasts for your pet’s lifetime. With a few decisions today, you can guarantee tomorrow’s care. Why…
Keeping a Greenbelt Home in the Family—Austin Conservation Easements and Estate Planning
Your Austin-area homestead may border a greenbelt or sit on acreage that frames hill-country views. If you want your children to inherit that land without pressure to subdivide or sell, a conservation easement can help. This voluntary agreement limits development while preserving tax benefits and long-term family control. What a…
Using Transfer on Death Deeds for Harris County Rental Homes
Rental properties create steady income, but probate can freeze that cash flow when an owner dies. A Transfer on Death (TOD) deed provides a simple, low-cost way to pass Harris County rentals to your chosen beneficiaries without a court process. You keep full control during life, and your heirs receive…
Updating Beneficiary Designations After Divorce in Houston
Divorce resets more than your day-to-day life. It also rewrites who inherits your money if you die tomorrow. In Texas, beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement plans, and bank accounts often control who gets paid—sometimes even over your will. You can protect yourself by reviewing every designation and aligning it…