Naming an executor feels final—until that person moves overseas, develops health problems, or simply says no. Similar obstacles affect trustees and guardians. Without alternates, Texas courts decide who steps in. That may not match your vision. Engage a Dallas probate lawyer at McCulloch & Miller, PLLC to build a fiduciary…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Planning Ahead for Incapacity: Why Powers of Attorney Are Just as Important as Your Will
Most Texans picture estate planning as a will that activates after death. Life proves otherwise. A car crash, stroke, or sudden illness can leave anyone unable to sign checks or speak with doctors. If you have not appointed trusted agents, courts may step in—and court supervision rarely feels personal or…
The Hidden Costs of Not Having an Estate Plan in Texas
Dallas residents juggle careers, kids, and commutes; estate planning slides down the to-do list. Yet waiting has a price. When you pass away without clear instructions, your family pays—sometimes literally. Working with a Dallas probate lawyer at McCulloch & Miller, PLLC uncovers those hidden expenses early, saving your heirs from…
Why Your Digital Assets Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan
Your smartphone holds more than photos; it stores passwords, payment apps, and cryptocurrency keys. If you live in the Dallas area and die or become incapacitated, a court must sort out that virtual treasure. Working with a Dallas probate lawyer at McCulloch & Miller, PLLC ensures your digital life fits…
How Long Does Probate Take in Texas? Understanding Timelines and Possible Delays
Until you go through the probate process, you have no reason to know how the probate process works. At McCulloch & Miller, we are experts in probate so that you don’t have to be. One question our clients often ask is how long probate takes from beginning to end. The…
Muniment of Title vs. Full Probate: Which Is Right for Your Estate?
Muniment of title is a process that can simplify estate distribution for beneficiaries, but it is not always the right tool for a decedent’s estate. How exactly does muniment of title work? And how can you know if it is right for your estate? Today’s blog post addresses these questions…
How a Lady Bird Deed Can Help Texas Homeowners Avoid Probate
One common goal in the estate planning process is crafting a plan that allows your beneficiaries to avoid probate. Probate can often be a long and drawn-out process, and many of our clients use various estate planning tools to avoid probate court altogether. One such tool, which we discuss on…
How Medicaid Estate Recovery Affects Your Assets and How to Plan Ahead
Medicaid estate recovery is a scary process, and it can affect families across the country during already difficult times. How can you plan ahead and help guard against Medicaid estate recovery? This blog serves as a starting point, but remember that each person’s circumstances are different, and each person might…
Using Payable-on-Death (POD) and Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Designations to Simplify Estate Planning
At McCulloch & Miller, we believe that every client’s estate plan should make things as easy as possible both for our client and for their loved ones. One tool that we often use to simplify estate planning is the payable-on-death designation or the transfer-on-death designation. These mechanisms are known for…
Can a Will Be Too Old? When and Why You Should Update Your Estate Plan
If you have taken the first step and created your will with the help of a Houston estate planning attorney, know that you are making important strides toward protecting your loved ones long after you are gone. Even after you write your will or estate plan, however, it is still…