What Is an Estate Inventory and Why Is It Important During Probate?
Before you can distribute an inheritance, you need to know what the estate owns. An estate inventory is a detailed list of probate assets and their values. It helps establish the estate’s worth, gives beneficiaries a clearer picture of the property involved, and supports decisions about paying debts and distributing inheritances.
What Are Your Options if You Don’t Have Enough Work Credits for SSDI?
If you do not have enough work credits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally cannot receive benefits based on your own earnings record. You may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), benefits through a family member’s record, or SSDI by proving that your disability began before your insured...
Should You Name a Backup Guardian in Your Will?
Yes. Naming an alternate guardian gives the court another person you trust to consider if your first choice cannot care for your minor children. Without a backup, relatives may disagree over who should step in, leaving the decision without clear guidance from you.
A guardian designation does not automatically...
Can Hiring a Social Security Disability Attorney Improve Your Chances of Approval?
Hiring a Social Security Disability attorney cannot guarantee approval, but it can improve the quality of your initial application. An attorney can help you present complete, consistent information, develop the medical evidence, and avoid errors that may delay your claim or contribute to a denial.
This support can be...
Can You Leave Your Home to Your Children While Continuing to Live There?
Yes. Texas homeowners can use several estate planning tools to arrange for their children to receive a home while retaining the right to live there. Depending on the method you choose, you may also keep the power to sell, refinance, or change who receives the property.
The right...
How to Choose Between Different Types of Trusts
A trust that works perfectly for one family may be completely wrong for another. Choosing the right type of trust depends on what you want it to accomplish, such as avoiding probate, controlling an inheritance, providing for a person with special needs, protecting assets, or planning for long-term care. Before deciding on...
What Is an Independent Executor in Texas and Why Does It Matter?
Texas probate does not always require constant court involvement. An independent executor can administer an estate with relatively limited court supervision, allowing many routine decisions to be made without repeatedly seeking a probate judge's permission. That can reduce delays and estate expenses, but the executor's greater freedom also comes with significant...
Can You Get SSDI If You’ve Never Worked Full-Time?
Yes, it is possible to qualify for disability benefits even if you have never worked full-time, depending on which Social Security program applies to your situation. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) generally requires a sufficient number of work credits earned through employment, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based primarily on financial...
What Happens If You Miss Your Disability Hearing?
Missing a Social Security disability hearing does not automatically end your claim, but it can have serious consequences. If you fail to appear without notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) or providing a valid reason, your request for a hearing may be dismissed. The good news is that, depending on the...
Can a Trustee Also Be a Beneficiary?
Yes, a trustee can also be a beneficiary of a trust. In fact, this arrangement is common in Texas estate planning, particularly when spouses create trusts for one another or when parents establish trusts for their children. However, serving in both roles comes with important responsibilities and potential conflicts that must...