Blog
Should I Consult An Attorney Before Signing A Lease?
Entering into a legal contract to lease property can be overwhelming and confusing, and you may be uncertain what you are committing yourself to. Whether you are looking to sign a residential or commercial lease, having an attorney assist you can be helpful and will ease your concerns.
Read MoreWhat Is The Simplest Probate In Texas When There Is No Will?
If your loved one died without a Will, transferring his or her assets to beneficiaries can be quite difficult. If no action is taken, assets will not be properly transferred and the beneficiaries will have to take some legal action down the road to straighten out the situation. In some cases, a costly determination of heirship proceeding and dependent administration of the estate may be required.
Read MoreHow Much Does It Cost To Set Up A Guardianship?
I frequently get calls about setting up a guardianship for a person who cannot manage their own affairs. Unfortunately, the people calling have no idea the expense involved in setting up a guardianship. Guardianships are complicated and time consuming. To put it simply, guardianships are very expensive. There are many steps involved in establishing a guardianship and a great deal of court involvement.
Read MoreThe Difference Between Statutory Transfer On Death Deed & Lady Bird Deed
Two terms are used in the state of Texas to describe a deed that automatically transfers title to real estate you own on your death a transfer on death deed and a Lady Bird Deed (LBD). The distinction between these two deeds is subtle, but very important.
Read MoreAdvance Planning Tools To Help Avoid Probate
Sometimes, even when a person has drawn up a Will, probate of the Will may not be necessary. Advance planning with probate-alternative documents can avoid the need for probate in many cases.
Read MoreDo I Need A Trust?
I frequently am asked by prospective estate planning clients, "Do I need a trust?" The answer is the classic one: It depends.
Read More3 Reasons You May Need A Guardianship
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.
Read MoreDo I Have To Probate If There Was A Will?
I have addressed in another blog several steps that can be taken as part of the estate planning process that help avoid the need for probate. If those steps were not taken, a full probate still may not be needed.
Read MoreThe Average Cost Of A Determination Of Heirship Proceeding In Texas
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.
Read MoreWhen Is A Living Trust A Waste Of Money
One of my biggest pet peeves over the years has been the over-selling of living trust packages to folks doing their estate planning. There are definitely times when a living trust is a good estate planning tool. However, for many individuals a living trust is an unnecessary expense.
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