Estate Planning Resources

Articles and guides to help you understand your options for protecting your family and your assets in Texas and North Carolina.

What are the Requirements of a Valid Will in Texas?

Texas attorney Rania Combs discusses the statutory requirements of a valid holographic Will and a valid typewritten Will in Texas.

Can I Disinherit My Spouse In Texas?

Texas is a community property state. The law presumes that all property acquired during the marriage belongs equally to both spouses, unless it was received by gift, inheritance, or descent. If you have a valid

Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2015, when the Supreme Court decided Obergefell v. Hodges. And in 2022, Congress added another layer of protection by passing the Respect for Marriage Act , which repealed

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will, also known as a Texas Dreictive to Physicials and Family or Surrogates , is a document that allows you to express your wishes about when life-sustaining treatment should be administered or withheld

What Are the Requirements of a Valid Will in North Carolina?

North Carolina has specific legal requirements that must be met for a Will to be valid. A Will is valid when the person signing is at least 18 and of sound mind, intends the document

Lady Bird Deed vs. Texas Transfer on Death Deed: Key Differences, Benefits, and Which Is Best for You

Both Lady Bird Deeds and Texas Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) are essentially beneficiary designations for your real estate. Both Lady Bird Deeds and Texas Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs) allow property owners to transfer

How Texas Law Protects Privacy in Probate

One factor that often motivates people to choose a revocable trust over a Will is privacy. Assets held in a trust pass to beneficiaries without going through probate, which means there’s no public filing of

Beyond Taxes: 10 Reasons Why Americans Without Taxable Estates Need an Estate Plan

For most Americans, federal estate taxes will never be a concern. Under current law, the federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per person in 2026. For married couples, that means up to $30 million

The Complexities of Intestacy in Texas

Many people may assume that if they are married and die without a Will in Texas, their surviving spouse will inherit their entire estate. You might be surprised to learn that this is not always

The Texas Transfer on Death Deed

Texas is one of a growing number of states that allow owners of real estate to transfer property to their beneficiaries outside the probate process by creating a Texas Transfer on Death Deed. The deed

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