As a blended family, you face a unique set of challenges when it comes to estate planning. There are often emotional complexities, such as feelings of sadness, resentment, or jealousy that come from combining individuals from multiple families. There are also financial obligations and responsibilities to consider for children from different relationships. Recognizing these challenges
Unlike many states on the Pacific and Atlantic costs, Texas’ probate process is quicker and comparatively cost efficient. In fact, Texas offers a several abbreviated probate process (e.g. independent administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavits) that require only limited filings and usually a single brief hearing in order to transfer the property to the
Many clients ask, “How do I keep my house from going into probate when I die?” A Transfer on Death Deed (“TODD”) is one way to do this.
What is a TODD? In 2015, Texas enacted Chapter 114 of the Texas Estates Code, which created and authorized the TODD. Its main purpose is to allow
The upcoming election and concern regarding potential changes have people asking questions about what they can do in 2020 to blunt the impact of a future change in the tax law. One strategy for people with significant assets will be to give property away while the current tax laws are in place.
As many already
Many people complete their estate planning documents, place them in a safe/drawer, and never think about them again. It’s an understandable pattern, but estate planning requires maintenance just like your house, your car, and the rest of your valuable assets. So when should you review and update your will or trust?
In a perfect world,
Despite most people believing it’s important to have an estate plan, only about 40% of people actually get one.[1] There are a number of reasons that someone may not have gotten an estate plan but the idea that you do not need one because you do not have kids should not be one of