When someone is crafting their will or creating a Houston estate plan, there are many critical decisions they must make. One of the most vital choices is who to serve as the estate’s executor. An executor of an estate is a person appointed to administer the estate of a deceased…
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…
If a temporary administrator has failed to perform their duties properly, the court has the power to remove this person. Beneficiaries need to know that they have rights too. If a temporary administrator is not following the terms of the will, taking money that belongs to the estate or failing…
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 single parent wonders if they need a will, or if just making an account a Payable on Death or POD account will be an adequate solution for transferring his assets when he dies. Even if you have only one child, if you have no will, things will be complicated…
Here’s a legacy that you may not want to leave for your family to pay: your credit card debt. It doesn’t go away when you die. Three out of four consumers die in debt, says Yahoo Finance’s recent article, “What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?” That means…
Being named an executor for someone you care about is an honor. It means they trust you and your judgment explicitly. However, it is an honor that comes with responsibilities. The role of an executor varies with the size and complexity of the estate. The executor is charged with making…
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,…
If you are among the millions of Americans who prefer to lease a car rather than buy it, you have obligations that are spelled out in the lease agreement. That contract and the laws of your state direct what happens, when a lease owner passes away. What if the salesman…