- home
- Resources
Estate Planning Resources
Articles and guides to help you understand your options for protecting your family and your assets in Texas and North Carolina.
This article explains why Texas executors generally need a lawyer to probate a Will and identifies limited exceptions involving a muniment of title or an affidavit of heirship.
- Rania Combs
An Affidavit of Heirship identifies a decedent’s heirs and may offer a less expensive alternative to probate for transferring real estate, but it has important limitations.
- Rania Combs
The article explains why regularly reviewing beneficiary designations matters, including their effect on probate, Wills, minor beneficiaries, and revoked trusts.
- Rania Combs
A Texas executor is named in a valid Will, while an administrator is appointed by the probate court when the decedent did not leave a Will; both manage assets, pay claims, and distribute property.
- Rania Combs
This article defines common trust terms, including grantor, trustee, beneficiary, principal, revocable and irrevocable trusts, pour-over Wills, testamentary trusts, and spendthrift clauses.
- Rania Combs
This article explains Will contests, how no-contest clauses may deter challenges, when courts may not enforce them, and steps to reduce the risk of a successful contest.
- Rania Combs
This article explains how blended families can use trusts, direct bequests, independent trustees, and open communication to reduce the risk of children being disinherited.
- Rania Combs
Estate planning for pets can name a willing caregiver in a Will or Trust and provide funds for the pet’s ongoing care.
- Rania Combs
In Texas, a gift to a married child is separate property, but naming the child’s spouse on the deed can give the spouse an ownership interest and trigger gift-tax reporting considerations.
- Rania Combs
A residuary clause in a Will distributes the remaining estate after debts, expenses, and specific gifts, helping ensure that known and unknown assets pass according to the testator’s wishes.
- Rania Combs
Search
Topics
Ready to get started?
Let's Create a Plan That Works for You
From simple wills to complex trust plans, clients consistently note Rania’s responsiveness, clarity, and care throughout the process.
