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 Would You Do If You Had 46 Days to Live?

Imagine visiting the doctor for what you thought was a minor illness, and being told instead that you had a rare disease that would take your life within two months. How would you want to

What Happens if the Beneficiary of my Transfer on Death Deed Dies Before Me?

The Texas Transfer on Death Deed, allows homeowners to name a beneficiary who will inherit their property after they die. It works like a beneficiary designation on a bank account or an insurance policy. If

Do I Have To Accept An Inheritance?

I have written about a deadbeat dad who claimed part of his deceased son’s estate, even though he had not been part of his son’s life for more than thirty years. The potential of inheriting

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning

What happens if I die without a will in Texas? If you die without a Will in Texas, the Texas statutes will determine how your property will be divided. In other your property will be

Estate Planning for Alzheimer’s

I was recently reminded that incapacity is something that can happen at any age. Someone I know was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease at just 47 years of age. A new client has also been

Can Stepchildren Force a Surviving Spouse to Sell Homestead Property?

Conflicts often arise in blended families when one spouse dies. This is especially true if the deceased spouse’s children and their stepparent do not have a close relationship. Problems are compounded when the deceased spouse

Is an Executor Required to be a US Citizen?

I recently received a phone call from someone whose wife was not a US Citizen. The caller wondered whether his wife could nevertheless serve as an executor of his Will. There is no statutory restriction

Estate Planning for Divorcing Couples: What Happens if One Spouse Dies While Divorce is Pending?

A married man died recently. He had a Will which had been prepared shortly after he and his second wife got married. When their Wills were prepared, the man and his wife were in love

Who Inherits If The Beneficiary Of My Will Dies Before Me?

Although it’s unpleasant to consider, there is a possibility that those whom you’d like to benefit in your Will may not survive you. For example, you may wish to give all your worldly possessions to

Can A Biological Sibling of an Adopted Child Inherit Under the Texas Intestacy Statutes

I recently got a note from someone whose biological brother had been given up for adoption while he was a baby. His brother had just died in Texas without a Will. He wondered whether he

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