Estate Planning

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has impacted many areas of law other than how much we owe in income taxes. Estate planning and divorces have also been impacted by some of the provisions of the TCJA. One of the most significant impacts of the TCJA on divorces is that alimony payments are no longer deductible for the payor or taxed as income for the payee. However, an overlooked provision of the TCJA that also impacts divorce settlements is the treatment of grantor trusts under the new tax laws. These types of issues should be addressed by an experienced Read more . . .

Many different factors will affect how long probate will take in Texas, but the short answer is that probate is not usually a fast process. Probate involves many steps, and each phase can take weeks or months, even years. To determine how long your loved one’s probate process will take, you must speak with an experienced Texas probate lawyer.

Read more . . .

For many people, their pets are a member of their family. They refer to them as their “four-legged children” or their “fur babies.” For many individuals, planning for their pet’s care after their death is an import element of estate planning. However, pets cannot inherit money or property. Therefore, if you want to provide for your pet’s care after your death, you may want to consult a
Read more . . .

Estate planning may not be a high priority for many people, but it should be for several reasons. A comprehensive estate plan helps you protect your property and provide for your heirs during and after your lifetime. Your estate planning documents also allow you to remain in control of important financial and medical decisions if you become incapacitated. Meeting with a

Read more . . .

People often use trusts as part of an estate plan. These arrangements can reduce your estate taxes and offer additional benefits that you do not get with a simple will. Trusts usually do not go through probate, so your beneficiaries might get to access the assets more quickly than they could through a will.

When you set up a trust, a third party, called the trustee, holds the assets as a fiduciary for the people you designate as beneficiaries. Because trusts are usually not filed with the court, the terms of your trust remain private.
Read more . . .

Many people consider estate planning as a way to ensure their wishes are carried out upon their death. However, estate planning also includes incapacity planning. Our Texas incapacity planning lawyers discuss reasons you need to plan for incapacity in this article, as well as the legal documents that can protect you and your family in the event you are unable to care for yourself or make financial decisions for yourself.
Read more . . .

Texas property owners have two options for transferring property to another person to avoid property. In addition to the Ladybird Deed, Texas lawmakers enacted laws creating a Transfer on Death Deed in 2015. However, each of these deeds has specific requirements and advantages. Before utilizing a Ladybird deed or a Transfer on Death Deed, you may want to consult a Read more . . .

If you have a comprehensive estate plan, you are one step ahead of many people. However, drafting and executing an estate plan is only the first step in protecting your future, your family, and your property. You need to periodically review your estate plan with your Texas estate-planning lawyer to ensure the plan still represents your wishes and desires.

Furthermore, changes in your life, your financial status, and various laws may require modifications of your estate plan. Failing to review your estate plan periodically may result in your loved ones facing situations after your death that you tried to avoid by drafting an estate plan. All your hard work in developing a comprehensive estate plan could go to waste if you do not invest the time necessary to review the plan periodically.

Read more . . .

When it comes to estate-planning, it’s usually a good idea to create documents that allow you to avoid probate. There are a number of really good reasons to avoid probate, from tax savings, time savings, and of course, privacy. However, there are times when probate is unavoidable, and when that happens, whomever is left to administer the estate needs to know how to proceed, so that critical mistakes aren’t made. For most people, using the services of an experienced probate lawyer saves them time, money and heartache.

Read more . . .

Planning for your death or incapacitation may not be the most appealing task on your to-do list; however, it is very important to make time to work with a Texas estate planning lawyer, especially if you own a business. Failing to develop an estate plan can create serious problems for your family and your business. Your business is probably one of the biggest assets you own.

Read more . . .

When you go through a divorce, it affects virtually every aspect of your life—from your daily life to your long-term plans for the future. It also changes your legal obligations when it comes to your estate plan as well. In fact, you need to take steps to revise your estate plan, so it actually reflects your changed living situation.

Read more . . .