Although creating a will in Texas may not seem vital in the moment, passing away without having a will in place can have major consequences. Intestate succession laws dictate where a person’s assets and property go if they die without a will. There are many rules surrounding intestate succession. While…
A last will and testament, or more commonly referred to as a “will,” is a legal document that provides a person with the opportunity to decide how their property and other assets will be distributed after their death. Under Texas law, if a person does not have a will, their…
With COVID-19 impacting more and more Americans, individuals across the country are scrambling to set up wills and end-of-life directives. Over the last two weeks, online will companies have seen an explosion in users, according to the article, “Coronavirus Pandemic Triggers Rush by Americans to Make Online Wills,” published by…
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…
Being named as an executor is a big responsibility. Before accepting this role, you should understand what the tasks are, and what you need to be careful about to protect yourself. It’s flattering. Someone you know thinks highly enough of you to name you as their executor. That means they…
Once you understand what a will can do, the reason that everyone needs one becomes a lot clearer, especially if you have any minor children or any assets. A will is a legal document used to provide clear and binding instructions on how you want your assets to be distributed…
At last, you’ve completed your estate documents, including retitling assets and checking beneficiary designations. The only question left is, where should they be stored? The answer is not that simple. Do you know where your estate plan documents are? Many people ask their estate planning attorneys to hold onto their…
A will serves several purposes. It gives you the power to distribute your possessions, according to your own wishes. It also lets you name who should take care of your children, if they are minors when you die, and of your pets, if you provide for them in the will.…
Notice that the title is not “if” you need to update a will, but “when.” A will is like the family pet—it can protect the house and demonstrate your love for your family. However, you have to take care of it. People often comment when they complete their estate planning,…
Writing your own will is a lot like trying to do your own dental work. You can brush, floss and even use a water flosser, but the rest is best left to the trained professional. It’s a fairly common question: “Why can’t I download a form and create my own…