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
You’ve made the decision to write a will. You have thought about whom amongst your family and friends will receive your belongings after you pass. Avoid making the mistake of leaving it as is should any of the following occur. You Marry/Divorce If you’re marrying, whether it is your first or a subsequent one, it is always important to revisit... Read More
Are you approaching your twilight years and have no idea what will become of your assets after you pass? A will should always be made whether you have many assets or very few. Several assets that you own can be listed in a will. Such assets usually include personal belongings, stocks, savings accounts, etc. So now you have a list... Read More
A person’s sudden death can have detrimental effects on their loved ones. If they have no will, the situation can easily become ugly as family may squabble over who gets what. Dying without a will is referred to as intestate. What this means is that the deceased obviously has no say in which members of their family or friends will... Read More