Estate planning is a fairly complex topic. The laws frequently change and are not always intuitive. However, estate planning is crucial and, while the thought of starting the estate planning process may not be something anyone looks forward to, it is something everyone needs to consider. This is especially the…
According to the National Association of Realtors, the pandemic has brought on an unprecedented amount of home sales in Texas and throughout the United States. As home sales increased, mortgage rates hit record lows, encouraging quarantined home buyers to jump-start their searches. Those who have bought or sold a home…
Society as a whole has experienced unexpected and overwhelming changes over the past year. These changes have undoubtedly caused people to consult with their Houston estate planning attorneys to address their long-term goals. Recent surveys by TD Wealth highlight several issues that have impacted estate planning. Healthcare Costs Skyrocket, But…
Although there has recently been a lot of news out of Washington, D.C.—particularly the COVID-19 Relief Bill—many individuals are interested in the 2022 fiscal year budget and the proposed changes that will be made. This includes expected capital gains and dividend tax rate increases for high-income individuals, along with any…
When a family member or close friend is upset by the contents of a deceased person’s will, they may contest the will’s validity. The most popular argument is to claim the will is invalid because of the person’s mental incompetence or that there was undue influence exerted upon them. In…
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many individuals to evaluate their future—however, this realization has come in different forms depending on an individual’s age. For the first time ever, young adults are now more likely to have an estate plan than older adults. And many of these young individuals cite the…
Many Texans incorrectly assume that estate planning is only for wealthy families. For people who do not have many assets, they often believe there is no benefit to themselves or their families to drafting an estate plan. However, this cannot be farther from the truth. Estate planning provides the opportunity…
As more people become interested in drafting estate plans—recognizing the inherent benefits to planning ahead—they wonder whether they can do it themselves. This approach—called DIY estate planning—is when people utilize websites and books to draft their own Houston estate plan. While this may appear to be a more cost-effective and…
Estate planning is a crucial measure that ensures a person’s assets are given away according to their wishes; otherwise, the inheritance could be diminished by court costs and other fees. While many people have come to realize the importance of estate planning generally, they have many questions and fears about…
Being deceived by anyone can be upsetting. However, when it is someone who claims to have your best interests at heart—and it impacts your financial future—it can become downright infuriating. There are ways to discern between companies who are only out for their own selfish financial gain—and will even lie…