What would happen if you suffered from a medical condition or injury and you could no longer care for yourself? This happens to many people every year, especially after individuals have developed medical conditions such as dementia, cancer or paralysis. Would anyone...
An individual who creates an estate plan relies on their documents when they experience an incapacitating emergency. Their spouse, children and other dependent family members may rely on the estate plan for access to property or crucial forms of support after someone...
It’s not uncommon for family members who have lost a loved one to be dissatisfied with their choice of an executor (known as a personal representative here in Texas) to administer their estate. Whether it’s another relative or a close friend or colleague, they may not...
You might be thinking of adding a no-contest clause in your will to discourage challenges to its validity. The clause works by disinheriting anyone who contests the will and loses. In other words, they forfeit whatever was bequeathed to them in the will if their...
The creation of a will or other estate planning documents gives an individual control over their legacy. They can choose which family members inherit what assets from their estate. They can even name beneficiaries who do not have any familial or legal relationship to...
A special needs trust (SNT) is a crucial legal tool for individuals with disabilities. They are designed to ensure that a person with disability can meet their financial needs while still allowing them to qualify for government benefits. The management of SNTs is,...
If you and your spouse are divorcing this year, it’s important to determine what changes you’ll need to make to your estate plan. (If you don’t have one, you should put one in place once your divorce is final.) Not all of the changes have to wait until the divorce...
If you’re making an estate plan, then you’ve likely heard the terms “heir” and “beneficiaries” used to mean someone who will gain from an estate. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between heirs...
A will is the most basic document in an estate plan. It helps name beneficiaries and establish who gains from an estate. However, a trust is also susceptible to disputes, taxes and probate. In place, a testator may include a trust in their estate plans. A trust...
Taking care of the testator's debts, managing their assets and dealing with beneficiaries for months to a year is no easy task. Not to mention, an executor may be liable for any mistakes. With so much to do, a person appointed as executor might wonder if they will...
