How To Update Your Estate Plan After Major Life Events in Texas
Estate planning is not a one-time task. While creating a will or trust is an important first step, life rarely stays the same for long. Marriage, divorce, children, and financial changes can all alter your goals and your legal needs. In Texas, keeping your estate plan current is just as important...
Do I Still Need a Will If I Have a Trust?
It’s a common question: if you’ve set up a trust, do you still need a will? Many people assume that creating a trust eliminates the need for other estate planning documents, but that’s not the case. A trust is an effective way to manage and distribute property; however, a will often remains...
A Guide to Special Needs Trust Requirements in Texas
Families who have loved ones with disabilities often worry about how to provide long-term financial support without jeopardizing eligibility for government programs. A special needs trust (SNT) is one of the most effective solutions. These trusts enable families to set aside money or property to enhance the quality of life while...
Digital Assets and Estate Planning: What Texans Need to Know
When most people think about estate planning, they imagine houses, cars, and bank accounts. Today, however, your estate may include far more than physical property. From online banking apps to cryptocurrency wallets, email accounts, and family photos stored in the cloud, digital assets are now an essential part of planning for the...
What Executors Should Know About Resolving Disputes During Probate
Serving as the executor of an estate is an important responsibility. In addition to collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing property, you may also find yourself in the middle of family disagreements. Probate disputes are common, and they can quickly turn a straightforward process into a stressful one. This blog examines...
The Importance of Avoiding Duplicate Estate Planning Documents in Texas
When it comes to estate planning, clarity is everything. Having duplicate or conflicting documents, such as more than one will, multiple powers of attorney, or overlapping advance directives, can create confusion for your loved ones and the Texas courts. Instead of making your wishes more straightforward to follow, duplicates often slow down...
How to Choose the Right Trust Based on Your Estate Goals
When you begin thinking about estate planning, one of the most significant decisions is whether to establish a trust. A trust is a way to protect your family, control how your assets are managed, and ensure your wishes are carried out. The right trust depends on your goals, your assets, and your...
What Happens If You Don’t Name a Beneficiary in Texas?
When you set up a life insurance policy, retirement account, or bank account with a “payable on death” option, you’re usually asked to name a beneficiary. It may seem like a minor task, but skipping it or failing to update it can create bigger problems than you might expect.
What Happens to Retirement Accounts and Life Insurance in Estate Planning?
If you’re putting together an estate plan or updating an old one, you may have questions about what happens to your retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Do they get passed on through your will? Are they taxed? Will your loved ones have to wait through the probate process? Here’s what...
How Recent Tax Law Changes Could Affect Your Texas Estate Plan
If you haven’t looked at your estate plan recently, now might be the right time. New federal tax laws are changing the way high-net-worth families think about wealth transfer, and even if your estate isn’t massive, these shifts could still affect how you plan, give, and protect what you’ve built. Here’s...