If you're considering using a power of attorney as part of your estate plan, it can be a wise move. This power of attorney can be helpful if you're incapacitated for some reason and you can't make your own decisions. The person that you choose is legally allowed to do...
Estate Planning
How do you choose a guardian for your minor children?
Texas law considers anybody under the age of 18 a minor. Minors are basically under the care of their parents who, besides the provision of basic needs, are also responsible for making legal decisions on their behalf. Should the parents pass on, the child becomes a...
Does your will apply to accounts that are payable on death?
When you write your will, you decide to include all of your financial accounts, along with instructions on how your heirs should divide up those assets. These accounts may be very simple, such as savings and checking accounts, or they may be much more complicated,...
What can you do about a rogue executor?
While executors should always act in the interest of the estate and beneficiaries, it is not always the case. Some executors may seek to benefit themselves from the estate of the deceased, all at the expense of the heirs who may end up losing a lot. If this happens,...
Estate planning is about more than money
Estate planning often starts with money. People are interested in determining how they're going to pass their wealth to the next generation. It's why they've decided to write a will or look into other estate planning documents. This is an important part of estate...
Will your adult child handle their inheritance wisely?
One of the biggest concerns that people with considerable assets have when they develop their estate plan is whether their children will be able to deal with a sudden influx of wealth responsibly. Even parents who know their children won’t blow their inheritance on...
Why should you use a disinheritance clause?
You have no legal obligation to leave any of your financial or physical assets to your children. You are legally allowed to leave them nothing, which is known as disinheriting them. It is called this because these are people who would have expected to inherit from...
Most people procrastinate estate planning: Here’s why you shouldn’t
If you ask most people if they have a will or an estate plan, they’ll tell you that they don’t. We’re still at a point, statistically speaking, where the majority of Americans have no plan, despite clearly needing one. You may find yourself wondering why they do...
How does a lady bird deed help your family?
If you have never heard of a lady bird deed, you’re not alone. A lady bird deed is a type of deed that will help you avoid probate at death. At the same time, this deed helps you avoid giving up control of your property during your lifetime. Lady bird deeds are not...
4 benefits you can enjoy when you add a trust to your estate plan
A trust is a legal entity that you create to own and control specific assets. Many people choose to add trusts to their estate plans for their protection or for the benefit of family members and heirs. There are many kinds of trusts, and each offers specific benefits....