Estate Planning

Once regarded as an estate planning tool for only the ultra-rich, trusts have gained popularity among Texans of varied social and economic standing.

There are many different types of trusts, each providing various advantages. Texas estate planning attorneys regularly help clients of all circumstances determine which type of trust will best meet their specific objectives.
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The loss of a loved one exacts a heavy toll, and is particularly overwhelming when complicated by probate, the legal process whereby a decedent’s estate is administered to a clearly written will makes it easier for probate courts to distribute assets and resolve disputes. If a person dies without a will, the probate court relies on intestate laws to determine how to distribute the decedent's estate. Probate is often both lengthy and costly, but there are options for avoiding probate.

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Congress intended the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 to protect people from invasions of their privacy about their medical records. Unfortunately, the well-intentioned legislation created HIPAA issues in estate planning. A Texas estate planning attorney can explain these problems and craft an estate plan that will meet your needs and goals without running afoul of the HIPAA regulations.
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What happens to your estate if you die without heirs in Texas will depend on whether you had estate planning documents or not. If you had a will or living trust agreement, your money and assets would get distributed according to the terms of those papers. If you did not have a will or living trust, you are intestate, and our state’s intestacy laws will determine who gets your estate.

Although it is rare, it is possible for the state of Texas to get everything that you left behind through intestacy. A Read more . . .

Every parent should develop a complete estate plan to provide for and protect their children in the event that the parent dies before the child grows up and moves away from home. If you are living with the child's other parent, it is unlikely that the child will have to move away from the home, change schools, and adjust to a new neighborhood. For a single parent, there is no such safety net for the child.

Whether the relationship with the child's other parent ended through divorce or death or the other parent never was involved in the child's life, a single parent needs to provide far more protections for the child than a couple would need to arrange. There is not enough space here to cover all of the issues that a single parent needs to address in the estate plan.
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Yes, Texas law does allow people to plan for the care of their pets through pet trusts and other estate planning tools. A Texas pet trusts attorney can help you create the right documents to ensure that your beloved cats, dogs, and other pets will have the care they need in the event of an emergency and down the road, if your pets outlive you.

Pet Trusts in Texas

You have the option to provide for your pets in a traditional trust or a special type of legal device called a statutory pet trust.
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Texans give generously to others during life and through their estates when they die. If you want to support charities as part of your estate plan, you have several options. The best choice will depend on several factors, like the type of asset that you wish to leave to the charity. One or more of the possible options will likely be a good fit for your wishes and circumstances. A Read more . . .

Texas allows you to automatically transfer property upon your death without those items having to go through probate if you prepared and signed a Texas Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed. This document works like a TOD designation on a bank account. A Texas estate planning attorney can draft a TOD deed for you and answer your questions about how to use this legal vehicle in your estate plan.
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A comprehensive estate plan includes directives related to incapacity and health care. If you do not include an incapacity plan in your estate plan, your loved ones may be required to petition the court for the authority to make decisions regarding your personal care and health care. Furthermore, the court and your family members could ignore your wishes and desires unless you put them in writing now.

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Many people assume that the only purpose of estate planning is to decide who receives their property after their death. However, there is much more to estate planning than choosing heirs to receive your property. Comprehensive estate planning can include incapacitation planning, asset protection, and tax planning. Contact a Read more . . .

Estate planning is important for everyone. However, if you are building your business, there are additional reasons why you need a comprehensive estate plan. The type of business you are building can have a significant impact on the provisions included in your estate plan. A Read more . . .