Being the beneficiary of a trust can provide you with a certain amount of financial security. For most people who are in this position, these trust assets are about much more than money. After all, a loved one who is no longer here made the conscious decision to name...
Probate Litigation
When And Why A Will Can Be Challenged: Part II
In our last post, we began a discussion about will contests and the most common reasons for them. In today’s post, we’ll discuss the two most common and compelling reasons for challenging the validity of a will: Allegations of lack of testamentary capacity and...
When And Why A Will Can Be Challenged: Part I
When estates become the subject of litigation, disputed (or contested) wills are frequently the issue at hand. Courts generally want to honor wills, as they are likely the best record of a decedent’s wishes about what happens to his or her property. Moreover, the...
How credit card debt affects estate administration
It is not uncommon for consumers in Texas and around the nation to struggle with credit card debt. The problem is so widespread that many people carry debt for their entire lives. Some of them may wonder what will happen to this credit card debt at the end of their...
Probate is not always easy for an executor
Dealing with disputes and challenges is not always what someone imagines when he or she accepts the duty of being executor of a loved one's Texas estate. Most may imagine the executor as the one who doles out the assets according to the wishes of the deceased....
Who can initiate probate litigation to contest a will?
Not everyone will be satisfied with how a Texas resident decides to distribute his or her estate upon death. Some will feel as though they should have received something or received more, but not everyone can initiate probate litigation, and certainly not simply...
Importance of having a will, avoiding probate
Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, recently passed away at the age of 76. Though her estate was estimated at over $80 million, she reportedly died without a will. Many Texas residents and others all across the country are in the same situation, leaving heirs...
Avoiding common mistakes of an estate executor
Taking on the role of an estate executor may sound like an honor, but many in Texas soon learn that the job is far from glorious. While it is certainly humbling to find one trustworthy enough to handle one's final wishes, it is also time-consuming and can be...
Avoid a lengthy probate process with a testamentary trust
Estate planning is an increasingly common practice among Texas residents and others around the country. More people are coming to the realization that planning for the future is not limited to the wealthiest investors. The goal for many when developing a plan is to...
The probate process in Texas
As one ages, mortality becomes an important issue. The individual often begins to consider what will happen with and to loved ones upon his or her death. Furthermore, the Texas resident usually addresses the inheritance that each of these loved ones should receive as...