Estate Planning Resources

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

Where Are Your Important Documents?

A stroke survivor’s daughter could not find her mother’s power of attorney, illustrating why loved ones should know where important estate planning documents are stored and be told about any changes.

Will My Surviving Sibling Inherit My Entire Estate If I Die Without A Will?

In Texas, a surviving sibling may not inherit an entire estate without a Will if a deceased sibling left surviving children.

Does A Durable Power Of Attorney Need To Be Notarized?

In Texas, a durable power of attorney must be written, signed by an adult, name an agent, address the principal’s disability, and be notarized, but witnesses are not required.

What Are The Duties of An Executor?

An executor or administrator oversees probate by collecting and managing assets, handling creditor and tax claims, and distributing the remaining estate to beneficiaries.

Independent Administration Simplifies the Probate Process

The article explains how independent administration in Texas can make probate simpler, faster, and less expensive by reducing court supervision.

Is It Necessary to File A Durable Power of Attorney?

A durable power of attorney generally does not need to be filed to be effective, except when an agent will conduct a real estate transaction for the principal.

The Rigidity of the Intestacy Statutes

The article explains how Texas intestacy laws can transfer a deceased spouse’s community-property interest in a home to children from a previous marriage instead of the surviving spouse when there is no Will.

The Future of the Estate Tax

This historical article examines the 2010 federal estate tax law, its $5 million exemption and portability provision, and possible changes after the law’s scheduled expiration.

Should I Designate My Children’s Guardian as Beneficiaries of My Life Insurance Policy?

The article explains why naming a child’s guardian as a life insurance or retirement account beneficiary can put assets at risk and why a trust may provide better protection.

Will My Estate Be Responsible For My Student Loans?

The article explains how federal and private student loans may be treated differently when a borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled.

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