Estate Planning

When you hear the term, “estate plan,” what do you think of? Some think it’s just another word for a Will, while others think an estate plan is something complicated that is only necessary for wealthy individuals and families. The reality is, we all need one… Simply put- an estate plan is a set of instructions. Instructions for the management…

Thinking of filing a Probate case? Like in many states, the probate process in Texas has it’s own nuances and particularities to navigate. Here is an easy to digest breakdown… Typically, the first place to start is to determine whether your loved-one had a Will or estate plan in place. If they did have a Will, then distributing their assets to the right beneficiaries…

Searching the internet for information on the probate process can be overwhelming. If you aren’t an attorney, finding explanations that are easy to understand feels virtually impossible considering all of the probate terminology and legalese involved. So what does it all mean?! Here are important definitions… Administrator/Administratrix: A Personal Representative appointed by the Court to oversee the administration of an estate when…

Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just about money or taxes.  Far from it. Today, it’s more about protecting your assets for yourself and your loved ones, achieving your financial goals, and safeguarding your health care. Money and taxes aside, here are 7 good reasons why you need an estate plan… Your Health care.  Defining how your medical…

For many people, the basics of estate planning are simple enough, but for those families with loved ones who are disabled or have special needs, the estate planning process is more involved – and much more critical. Statistics have shown that at least five percent of minor children have some sort of disability, and the burden of caring for these children…

When your children were small, you no doubt endured the challenge of keeping peace in the family.  We see this same scenario play out time after time among adult siblings when a messy estate causes family rifts. Here are 10 tips to help prevent your children from fighting over your estate… Talk to your children about your estate plan. It…

We all care for our families, jobs, and dependents every day. But what are the things unique to your life? What are the things that, right now, only you can provide? What would happen if you aren’t around to manage those responsibilities unique to you, your family, or your particular circumstance? Over the course of our lives it takes us years…

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries, pursuant to the wishes of the deceased person as stated in his or her estate plan – or if there is none, according to Texas Law. Yes, that sounds like a handful. So let’s break it down. Texas Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying…

Part of the estate planning process is choosing who will serve as your representative in a number of different capacities. Your choice in representatives is just as important as your decisions on how your wealth will be distributed and who it will be distributed to. After all, the responsibility to effectively carry out your carefully crafted wishes will be on…

Remember that old joke: How do you eat an elephant?  Answer: One bite at a time.  At the heart of that gag is the truth about how you tackle any seemingly complex task, taking it one step at a time so as not to overwhelm yourself. Many people neglect to create an estate plan because they see it as the…