There are many stresses that come along with moving: saying goodbye to friends and family, figuring out the logistics of the move, and settling into a new environment. However, many people do not think about amending their will or estate plan when moving to a new state. While this may…
2021 is nearly over, with a new year around the corner. While this is generally a time of celebrating holidays and preparing for the new year, there are some estate planning considerations that should be taken into account before 2021 is over. Although this may not seem like a top…
There is a common misconception amongst lower- and middle-class families that estate planning is only for the wealthy. They assume if they do not have many assets—if any—to give to loved ones, there is no point in having a will in place. However, this is not the case. Everyone should…
Whether you are young or old, married or unmarried, parenting or childfree, you need a will. A will is a basic courtesy to the loved ones left behind after someone’s passing. Even for people with minimal assets, a will is an appropriate Houston estate planning tool to ensure that any…
Throughout time, the purposes of life insurance in the estate planning context have simultaneously remained constant, while also dramatically changing. These alterations have occurred because of state and federal regulations. And these changes impact how estate planning attorneys advise their clients. However, it can be difficult for Texans to know…
Regardless of the makeup of a family, family dynamics can often be complicated. But fighting about food and what to watch on TV are simple problems compared to disputes about a loved one’s estate. These lawsuits can cost millions of dollars and tear families apart. Instead, there are steps that…
Many Houstonians have taken the laudable first step of creating an estate plan, so their assets can be passed off after their death. However, people will often forget to include provisions to handle the expenses that occur at the end of a person’s life. If these costs are not incorporated…
No will is the same; however, some wills are more complicated than others because of family dynamics and related situations. One family dynamic that makes a will slightly more complex is when a blended family is involved. A blended family—made up of families that come together over time with new…
While drafting their estate plan, many individuals do not consider the taxes that will be taken from their assets after their passing. Because every state has different tax rates—and there are both estate tax and inheritance taxes to worry about—it can be confusing for Texans to determine what taxes apply…
There is a common phrase that says, “the days are long but the years are short.” While this phrase was not created with estate planning in mind, the sentiment runs true: people talk about drafting an estate plan but rarely do so over time. However, it is never too early…