Life is unpredictable. We never know what tomorrow may bring. Taking steps to plan for the future can provide a sense of control, especially when life throws unexpected challenges. Estate planning is a straightforward way to prepare for the unknown. It is an opportunity to identify your wishes and ensure your family is provided for. It ensures that your wishes are clear and your loved ones are cared for regardless of Read More

Everyone needs to plan for the future, but single parents have different considerations than married couples with children and single people without children. As a single parent, you have the added stress and responsibility of ensuring there’s a plan for your child's care and financial security in case of incapacity or death and may not have the child’s other parent to assist. Planning allows for your wishes to be Read More

While many students and their parents focus on academic and social preparations, estate planning is another crucial area that needs attention. This might seem surprising, but having an estate plan is essential for college students for several reasons. It’s about preparing for unexpected events and having the documentation in place that allows you to support them.  Common Issues Estate Plans Avoid When a student turns Read More

When someone passes away, managing their estate is a significant task for the executor named in their will. There are clear steps you can take today to simplify this process for your executor. These preparations ensure that everyone involved follows your wishes with as little stress as possible. It’s about making a potentially challenging time more accessible by being organized now. Providing clarity and guidance Read More

Finding the right person to handle your estate or act on your behalf if you can't do so yourself is a big decision. However, some people need help with this not because they have an abundance of options but because they lack options. It’s significantly more challenging when you don't have close family or friends to name for these roles. What do you do if you find yourself in this situation? This is a common concern, Read More

Formally documenting your healthcare decisions now protects you during situations where you are unable to make those decisions for yourself. The Directive to Physicians, often called a living will, is a desirable component of the medical side of estate planning. It enables you to communicate your preferences regarding end-of-life medical treatment in the event you're faced with a terminal or irreversible Read More

When an estate plan leaves unequal shares, has unexpected provisions, or there’s no will at all, the aftermath can ripple through families and finances with foreseeable but undesirable consequences. The absence of a will or unexpected provisions can lead to disputes that might require legal intervention to resolve, further complicating the grieving process. In these situations, if the person’s true intentions are not Read More

Probate considerations for blended families begin with an understanding of how the law defines family.  This is important because it may be different from how you define family. This distinction impacts how your estate is distributed under Texas’s intestacy law. If your definition of family differs you will need to have planning in place that clearly identifies your wishes. We wanted to highlight some common Read More

Estate planning can include steps that allow for the transfer of assets upon death while also bypassing the probate process. It is important to understand the options for your specific assets and the difference between when these solutions are effective and when they create problems instead of solutions. With that in mind, let’s consider the ways in which you can transfer your assets without any probate Read More

Managing an estate can be overwhelming when a loved one passes away without a will. Small Estate Affidavits can be a simple solution for some people in this position. However, these can only be used for estates that meet specific criteria. With that in mind, we want to elaborate on what Small Estate Affidavits are, how they can be used, and the possible issues you may run into by using them.  Small Estate Read More