Planning your estate and the management of your assets after you pass away can be an uncomfortable and overwhelming process, however, it does not need to be as complicated as you may expect. Once an effective estate plan is in order, you and your family members can rest easy knowing…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Why Texas Common Law Marriage Matters in Probate Court
Probate is the process by which the courts oversee the distribution of people’s assets after their death. For loved ones, probate can be an extremely difficult experience involving countless administrative requirements, and it is often rife with family conflict. There are many steps that people can take, however, to help…
The Ever-Changing Field of Houston Estate Planning
Estate planning has evolved greatly over the past century, and it continues to change with each passing year. For example, estate planning attorneys must regularly adapt client plans to changes in tax laws. Keeping up with changes to the legal field and their implications for estate planning is a task…
How Recent Concerns Surrounding Conservatorships Can Play into a Texas Estate Plan
Once best known for her chart-topping hits, Britney Spears is now in the limelight for a much more somber reason. For over a decade, Ms. Spears has been under a conservatorship following a decline in her mental health. That conservatorship has recently gained attention and notoriety as Ms. Spears and…
Why You Need a Professionally Written Will in Texas
“I leave everything I own to my grandson.” The above statement seems to leave no room for confusion. Whomever wrote it seemingly wished to leave his belongings to his grandchild, and no one else. But one court thought differently earlier this year. The case underscores the importance of having a…
How Cohabitation Complicates Texas Estate Planning
More and more Texas couples are choosing to cohabitate without getting married. For older couples, this arrangement is often intended to protect assets for their children. Couples should be aware that cohabitation can affect estate planning in unexpected ways, however. With the right trusts and estate planning lawyer, cohabitating couples…
Estate Planning in Houston as a First-Time Parent
Congratulations on your new arrival! When planning for a first child, there are a few tasks that cannot be put off. One of these tasks that is often overlooked is estate planning. In the event of the unthinkable, a well-thought-out plan for your assets can help ensure that your children…
Charitable Lead Trusts in Houston
Selecting the right legal instrument for a charitable donation can help ensure that your good deed goes unpunished. One effective but lesser-known instrument for charitable donations is the charitable lead trust (CLT). Donors can set up this type of trust in Houston to provide a stream of income to a…
Texas Estate Planning for Eco-Friendly Property
Eco-friendly homes are those that are built using environmentally conscious materials and appliances. In recent years, eco-friendly building in Texas has shifted from one-off construction to budding communities of sleek, sustainable housing. Eco-friendly property owners all have one thing in common: Each of them has taken the initiative to plan…
Key Differences Between Wills and Trusts in a Houston Estate Plan
The recent increase in unexpected deaths as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought the issue of estate planning to the front of many people’s minds. In planning for the end of their life, asset holders may be confused by the various tools that may be used to divide…