What Are the Responsibilities of an Executor?

The executor of a Will should be a person you trust to carry out all of the tasks associated with managing and distributing your assets after you have passed away. This process will take at least a few months and can take years, depending on the nature of the assets and the complexity of the distribution plan. Executors have fiduciary duties to the estate, beneficiaries and in some cases creditors.  Fiduciary duty Read More

You Should Include Plans For Guardians in Your Estate Plan

We always want to make sure that our loved ones will be cared for, and designating guardians in your estate plan will help you achieve that goal. A guardian is one or two people who will become caregivers for yourself or your children in the event that you become incapacitated or if there are no surviving parents to care for the children. In Texas, there are three methods of naming a guardian: Will, Appointment of Read More

You Need to Name More Than One Executor for Your Will

Estate planning is contingency planning. Many things will change during your lifetime and your estate plan needs to accommodate those changes in order to remain effective. One of the key elements of your plan is your executor, the person who will manage the details of wrapping up your affairs and distributing your assets as directed in your will.  Why Do I Need More Than One Executor? The person you Read More

Should I Include a Trust Alongside my Will?

Your will is the foundation of your estate plan. Most people are aware of a will and its purpose, but trusts can also play an important role in your estate plan. Trusts may be included within a  will and used in a similar way to, or alongside a Will. Today we’ll be breaking down the difference between a trust and a will because while everyone needs a will, you may also need to consider a trust for your estate Read More

What Happens to my House if I Die Without a Will in Texas?

If you don’t already have a will, the distribution of your property after your death may not flow how you expect, or how you want it to be distributed. Real estate during intestacy (dying without a will)  in Texas can be a confusing process - in some cases, the ownership of the property could be split among several of your loved ones with none of those being your spouse. First, it’s important to know that Texas is a Read More

Go Ahead, Talk Turkey over the Holidays

With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays rapidly approaching, there is a slew of opportunities to gather the family under one roof and get talking. Estate planning and Wills should be part of that discussion. Although it may be tempting to avoid what many consider to be a morbid topic, it’s important to talk to your loved ones so they will know what to do when the time comes.  Communicating openly and honestly with Read More

5 Scary Mistakes People Make When Estate Planning (and How to Easily Avoid Them)

An estate plan is a complex, essential set of legal documents that can offer a person a great deal of financial and emotional security. But, while the estate planning process is far less prolonged and painful than some people fear, there is, like any legal process, no shortage of ways in which someone can stumble when it comes to making their arrangements.  Here are five of the most common (but by no means only) Read More

Timeshares: Planning for Your Personal Piece of Paradise

A timeshare can be a great opportunity to have a vacation spot every year. It’s your little getaway from the hectic life that comes with living in a city or working long hours at your job. It may be in the Texas Hill Country or a place with a view of the Gulf. It could even be a desert refuge where you can escape the daily grind and recharge. However, you begin to realize as you grow older that escaping to that Read More

Safeguarding Your Digital Afterlife

Our digital lives have become a larger part of our identity since the introduction of the first social media website. We go there to escape from real life and have a place where we can blow off steam, keep track of cultural trends, or meet and get to know people from across the nation. In addition to social media, many people’s daily activities increasingly rely on digital accounts and use computers and personal Read More

Planning for You and Your Special Needs Family Member

Planning for the future is the best possible way to protect and prepare you and your family for the unknown. If you have a loved one with special needs, the unknown may be something you are familiar with. Structuring a plan for your unique situation will provide the personalized solution that addresses the needs of your family. Proper estate planning allows you to provide for and protect your loved ones if you become Read More