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Probate can be costly and complicated. Unfortunately, not probating a Will could cause your family more stress in the long run. If your loved one has passed away and left a Will behind, you may find yourself in a situation where this is the case.

Guardianships are a complicated legal proceeding. Most people have no clue exactly how complicated and expensive they are. In some situations, however, a guardianship is required to manage the affairs of a loved one.

A corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners. A corporation can be owned by one person or many people. The corporation is formed under the laws of the state in which it is operating, with Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Formation.

A small estate affidavit will not always work, however. In some situations, you may need a determination of heirship. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you have an experienced attorney to guide you through the steps involved. Otherwise, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the process.

A revocable trust is one that can be completely or partially revoked either during the lifetime of the person creating the trust or afterward. An irrevocable trust means just that: it cannot be revoked.

If you are in the market to purchase a home, you probably already know you should start shopping for a real estate agent and mortgage lender. But, do you also need a lawyer?

Frequently, people whose loved one dies without a Will fail to take any action to transfer property because they dont think the estate is large enough to mess with. This leaves loose ends that must be dealt with years later, when finding the people necessary to legally make the transfer is much harder. To avoid this result, the State of Texas allows the heirs to legally transfer assets at very little expense through a procedure called a Small Estate Affidavit.

When a loved one dies without a Will, you have two options: determination of heirship or Affidavit of Heirship. These are the steps involved in both proceedings, as well as best practices to follow.

Have you selected multiple beneficiaries on your life insurance, retirement account, and bank account? Now is a good time to double-check.

Texas law has recognized an estate planning trick that is extremely effective and low cost, called a deed with an enhanced retained life estate or “Lady Bird” deed. This tool can be used for all types of real estate interests.