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When most people think about estate planning, they immediately think of a Last Will and Testament, but Beneficiary Designations are just as important.  Beneficiary designations on your financial accounts allow funds to be distributed directly to your beneficiary on your death without going through the probate process.  In other words, your Will does not control…

After the death of a loved one, one of the first questions families often ask is: “Do I need a probate attorney?” The answer depends on two main issues: 1. Is Probate Necessary? Not every estate needs to go through probate. Probate may not be necessary if: On the other hand, probate may be required…

Creating a trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. A properly prepared trust can avoid probate, streamline asset transfers, and protect your family from unnecessary expense and delay. But there’s one common mistake that prevents many families from receiving these benefits: failure to fund the trust. What Does It Mean to…

One of the most common questions families ask after the death of a loved one is: How long will probate take? The truth is, there’s no single answer. The probate process in Texas can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending on the type of probate required and the complexity of the…

Probate involves a court procedure to legally process and distribute an individual’s estate after they have died.  An estate without a Will is known as an intestate estate.  An estate with a valid, legal will is known as a testate estate.  If a Will only covers part of the estate, leaving the rest to pass…

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and it can be even more overwhelming if they passed away without a will. In Texas, dying without a will is called intestate, and the state’s intestacy laws determine how assets are distributed. Depending on the type and value of the assets, the estate may need to go…

If you’ve just lost a loved one and you are named as the executor of their will, you may be overwhelmed and confused. You may be researching online for answers to questions like “Do I need a probate attorney near me?”, “How long does probate take?”, or “How much does probate cost?”.  I will try…

When someone passes away in Texas, their estate typically goes through probate—a court-supervised process to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute remaining assets. Probate can be time-consuming, public, and expensive. But here’s the good news: a revocable living trust can be a powerful tool to transfer your assets to loved ones without going through…

Probate in Texas can be costly, time-consuming, and public. Fortunately, Texas law offers powerful alternatives—Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) and Lady Bird Deeds—to transfer real estate outside of probate. Paired with beneficiary designations on other assets, they can form the backbone of a non-probate estate plan. Benefits of Avoiding Probate Traditional probate involves court oversight,…

While it might seem tempting to save money by creating your own will using online templates or DIY kits, it is very risky. There are specific legalities necessary to create a valid will that can be admitted to probate. Here are some problems with DIY or online wills: 1. Invalidity Improper Execution: Wills have specific…