At times, navigating probate is a relatively straightforward process. Other times, though, the process can be messy – especially when it is unclear who an individual’s heirs are and who should receive the individual’s property. In today’s blog post, we discuss one way to navigate this issue – namely, by…
For parents that have adopted children, it is important to understand how the law understands adopted children to be part of their families. In the estate planning process, our clients that have adopted children often want to make sure that their kids are well taken care of after their passing.…
In Texas, it is a general requirement that a decedent’s estate plan must go through probate before beneficiaries inherit the property, assets, or debts that their loved one left behind. There are ways to avoid probate, however – some of which we have focused on in this blog. Avoiding probate…
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…
There is so much about probating a will that can be difficult to figure out, and without the right information at your fingertips, it can be easy to let parts of the process fall through the cracks. If you have a loved one that has recently passed and you need…
For those of our clients who own and collect art, their pieces are a source of pride, joy, and shared history. When these same clients go to draft their estate plans, we always advise them to include specific provisions regarding their art, so that they can ensure their collection is…
At McCulloch & Miller, we know all too well that the best strategy in estate planning and elder law is, without a doubt, planning ahead. One of the biggest difficulties that adults in Texas face is figuring out how to overcome legal barriers that could have been avoided with proper…
On our last blog, we began discussing letters of testamentary. These letters are documents produced by a probate court that allow an executor to prove that he or she has the authority to administer a decedent’s estate. To take it a step further, today we discuss when you might need…
The probate process can be complicated. Often, our clients come to us overwhelmed by how many steps can be involved and how many hurdles they have to jump through. One such hurdle can be a letter of testamentary, which is sometimes produced during probate proceedings. Today’s blog will cover the…
In Texas, attorneys are not required by the court for estate planning purposes; however, navigating the process without an attorney can end up costing more time and resources given the many steps that are involved in estate planning. If you are debating whether or not to hire an estate planning…