Resources

Probate Just Got More Private In Texas

One factor that often motivates people to choose revocable trust-based plans as opposed to will-based plans is the privacy trusts afford. Assets within a trust pass to…

Who is an Incapacitated Person?

The Texas Estates Code specifically defines who is an incapacitated person. According to the Code, an incapacitated person is: A minor; An adult individual who, because of a…

The Price of Not Having a Simple Will

I read an article by Don McNay recently, which highlights the complexities, expense and unwanted results that can arise in cases of intestacy. McNay is a financial…

Incapacity Can Happen At Any Age…Be Prepared

I recently received a heart-wrenching note from a parent, whose 22 year-old son had been involved in an accident. He was knocked unconscious with multiple dislocations and…

Can I Make a Testamentary Gift to Someone Who Witnesses My Will?

A question I hear often is whether a person who signs as a witness can also receive a gift under the will. In Texas, the short answer is…

Strategies For Lawsuit-Proofing Your Estate

Forbes Associate Editor, Ashlea Ebeling, wrote a great article last week about estate planning strategies that can discourage a protracted legal battle after your death. The…

Traditions That Keep Families Connected

My kids and I play a Volkswagen Beetle game. It’s not Punch Buggy, but rather a unique game that my family created. New Beetles (I hear the…

Can I Transfer Property in Texas With a Foreign Will?

Occasionally, people own property in Texas but reside in another state or country at the time of their death. As a result, they make wills that comply…