The moment you become a parent, you need a will. The same is true once you acquire any kind of asset that you want to give to someone after you die. It’s really that simple. The reasons why so many people don’t think they need a will fall into a…
Articles Posted in Probate Court
For Entrepreneurs, Make a Succession Plan Part of Your Estate Plan
Estate planning for entrepreneurs is not complete until it includes a succession plan. Individuals who create successful businesses often find it hard to consider handing over the reins. Entrepreneurs would not succeed without their ability to focus all of their energies on their business. It is not easy for this…
When the Heir is Not A Family Member
A cautionary tale ends with a will being declared invalid, firings at the local police station and a lesson in elder abuse. A wealthy 92 year old woman suffering from dementia left a $2 million estate to a local police sergeant but after three years of legal wrangling, her will…
Not Having a Will is Risky Business
You know you need life insurance to protect your loved ones. But do you know that having a will is equally important to protect against risks? Without a will, your family faces a number of potential financial disasters. If you think you don’t need a will because you aren’t wealthy…
Father’s Wish to Disinherit Daughter Upheld by Court
A woman’s suit to contest her father’s decision to give his estate to a not-for-profit failed, as his will was found to be valid. The family’s split over religion was never resolved, and there are no winners here. A panel of three judges upheld a previous ruling that Stacy Wolin…
Second Marriage and Blended Families Add Complexity to Estate Planning
The old adage is right—a second marriage is indeed the triumph of hope over experience. Add estate planning to keep that hope—and peace in the family—intact. It’s a delicate balance to hold: preserving assets for children from a first marriage and—at the same time—ensuring that your new spouse will have…
The High Price of Not Having a Will
Celebrities without wills provide teachable moments for why “regular folks” need to have wills and estate plans in place. When Prince died, he joined the ranks of multi-millionaire celebrities with a shared legacy of failing to plan for life after they pass away. This group lives on in endless articles…
Picking an Executor, a Critical Part of Your Estate Plan
Choosing an executor is not easy, but it is very important. A person who is not capable of managing the tasks can drive even the best estate plan off the path. Part of creating an estate plan is naming an executor who will be responsible for carrying out the wishes…
Executor 101: What You’ll Need to Know as an Executor
A lot of details go into being an executor, and some people find it a thankless task. But knowing that you helped someone you love carry out his or her last wishes holds its own reward. Most people are honored when they learn that they have been named executor of…
Six Key Houston Estate Planning Documents To Protect Your Loved Ones
Privacy and a faster resolution to settling estates are just two good reasons to create an estate plan. You really don't have to be a millionaire or famous to create an estate plan, as noted in an article appearing on the Forbes' website, "Prince and Estate Planning: What We Can…