Medical emergencies or advancing age can leave people unable to make or communicate decisions about their personal, medical, and financial affairs. Should you become incapacitated, having a power of attorney can empower a trusted loved one to make decisions or take actions on your behalf to protect your welfare and legal or financial interests. An…
In Texas, the community property system affects married couples’ rights to their marital property. But how do Texas’s community property laws affect your legal options when distributing your property and real estate through the estate planning process? Understanding the role of community property in estate planning in Texas can help you develop a legal plan…
When you begin the estate planning process, you may have numerous options for crafting your estate plan. But what legal documents should you incorporate into a comprehensive estate plan? Understanding your legal options can help you develop a comprehensive estate planning strategy that fulfills your objectives. Last Will and Testament First, a comprehensive estate plan…
An estate plan can include various legal documents that provide instructions for carrying out an individual’s wishes regarding their medical or personal care, their funeral/burial arrangements, and the disposition of their estate after their death. Some people may include a living will in their estate plan to express their wishes and preferences to loved ones….
Many people include asset protection as one of their goals for estate planning. Various estate planning strategies, such as trusts, can help you protect assets from creditors in Texas. Understanding your legal options for asset protection can help you build a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your circumstances, needs, and financial objectives. Why Asset Protection…
After a person’s death, the assets in their estate must go through the probate process to pay the person’s creditors and distribute the estate to heirs and beneficiaries. When a person passes away, having left a will, their will can name an executor to administer the person’s estate. But what duties or powers does an…
The estate planning process does not end after you draft and sign your will. Instead, estate planning should occur throughout your life. You should review and update your will periodically and after significant life events. Understanding when to update your will and how to make changes ensures you always have an estate plan that reflects…
Many pet owners worry about what will happen to their pets should the owner become unable to care for them or pass away. As a result, some people choose to include their animals in their estate plans by forming a pet trust. But what does a pet trust do, and can you create one in…
Many people who write wills place the document in a safe, safety deposit box, or other secure location and forget about it, leaving it for loved ones to pull out after they pass away. However, a person’s will can become outdated over the years as their wishes change, executors or beneficiaries pass away, the composition…
When you create an estate plan in Texas, you have multiple legal tools you can use to carry out your legal or financial goals. Many people develop wills as part of their estate plans. However, some individuals and families also use trusts to implement their estate planning objectives. But can a trust replace a will…
Plan for your future and protect your legacy
