Parents always wish the best for their children. This includes providing financial stability and independence. This does not mean that all parents plan to leave large inheritances for their children as many decide to leave smaller ones. It is also not unusual for parents to donate their estates to charity instead of passing them along to family members. It is... Read More

Drafting a will has been most prominent among Americans who find value in designating their possessions, or estate, to specific individuals. As of late, however, there has been a shift in preference. Two types of trusts have effectively gained popularity amongst clients, revocable and irrevocable. Most often, clients select a revocable trust for the promise of control, the avoidance of... Read More

In Texas, everything is bigger-- and family disputes are no exception. A loved one’s death holds the power to cause tears and arguments, the perfect concoction for disarray. Family members engage in squabbling over who keeps the luxury car, estate, money in the bank, etc. Leaving an ironclad will with strict specifications will ensure the proper distribution of your assets... Read More

Throughout a testator’s lifetime, his/her estate will most often increase in both size and value. Due to this growth, the chances of family or friends contesting the will increases as well. Siblings, children, grandchildren, etc. may find that the assets given to them are not what they’d expected, or possibly they’d expected more. However, that isn’t the only form of... Read More

One of the largest misconceptions of probate law is estate planning being reserved only for the elderly or those close to death. This is incorrect and ill-advised. An estate plan can be formulated at any time in one’s life. In fact, is it highly suggested to do so. The importance of estate planning is stressed by the fact that almost... Read More

Organ donation is growing in demand. According to organdonor.gov, over 117,000 people currently await an available organ, 18 die each day doing so and up to 8 lives can be saved by a single donor. In your will, the assets you leave behind do not always have to include vehicles, homes, boats, jewelry, etc. Organs can also be listed in... Read More

Drafting a will takes time in deciding who in your family gets certain assets. Over the course of time, your family may grow, members may pass on or you may change your mind about how your possessions should be distributed. It isn’t uncommon to want to change your will several times before deciding that you’re satisfied. There are several procedures... Read More

If you are unfamiliar with wills and probate law, it may surprise you to know that several different types of wills exist. Deciding which will best suit you depends entirely on how you wish to distribute your assets to your family and friends after your passing. Simple (Statutory) Will Perfect for those who own small or uncomplicated estates. Preparation is... Read More

A nuncupative will is the legal term for an oral or spoken will. These wills are rarely admitted to be valid depending on circumstance. Only 20 states permit nuncupative wills, Texas being one (having started on September 1, 2007). If you are interested in making such a will, it is important to follow these very strict guidelines: The stipulation(s) made... Read More

Although uncommon, it is possible to formulate a handwritten will should you so choose to have one. Holographic wills, as they are officially called, are valid in about half of U.S. states (Texas being one) if the testator (writer of the will) follows the listed criteria: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be of sound mind when... Read More