Resources

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…

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…

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…

Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

For many years, the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) prevented the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples. As a result, same-sex couples could…

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…

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…

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…

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,…