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Families frequently come to me needing to know how to figure out who gets what when a loved one dies without a will. Unfortunately, the answer is that they may be in for a lot of expense and time in a very complicated legal proceeding. A judge will need to determine who will receive portions of the estate, either using an Affidavit of Heirship or an Application for Determination of Heirship.

Estate planning is even more important for LGBTQ+ individuals, yet it is often overlooked until it is too late. Whether you are married or not, you should consider drawing up a Will, a statutory durable power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, a power of attorney to dispose of remains, and review possible beneficiary designations to ensure your wishes are honored in the event of your passing.

In this series of blogs, I have outlined various different types of probates and probate alternatives to help you settle an estate and understand the potential costs. A dependent administration is significantly more expensive than any other type of probate. Wise estate planning could avoid this high cost.

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. This typically includes a loved one becoming incompetent, a minor child losing both parents, and an individual functioning with diminished capacity in some way.

Guardianships are complicated and time-consuming. Unfortunately, they can also be expensive. The cost of guardianship will depend on the type, labor involved, and the specific situation of the ward. While a guardianship will likely cost you several thousand dollars, in many instances, it may be necessary to avoid heartache in the future for you and your loved one.

An Affidavit of Heirship may be used where there is no Will, and even if there is a Will, if you can determine a third party will accept it to transfer the assets of the estate. The affidavit sets out the family history of the decedent fully enough to determine, under the Texas laws of inheritance, who would be entitled to receive the estate. The cost will depend on several factors but typically is less than $1,000.

Guardianships are a complicated legal proceeding, but the right attorney can guide you through the process and improve your peace of mind. The key to finding the best attorney for your family is to research your options ahead of time, consider their communication style and personality, and discuss their fee structure to ensure nothing takes you by surprise.

A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can be an element in an effective financial plan or an estate plan. The expense will depend totally on the situation, and may not be nearly as large as you might think. The main factors influencing cost are your assets, the conditions to be set in the agreement, whether family members agree with the decision, and the follow-up steps you'll need to take after the agreement is drawn up.

A common misconception about prenuptial and postnuptial agreements is that they are only desired by wealthy, greedy individuals. Truthfully, many couples benefit from having such an agreement in place. A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is entered into before marriage. A postnup can be drawn up at any time during the marriage. Both act as an outline of how property and finances will be dealt with during your marriage and when the marriage ends, either by divorce or death.

Entering into a legal contract to lease property can be overwhelming, and you may be uncertain about what you are committing yourself to. Whether you are looking to sign a residential or commercial lease, having an attorney assist you can be beneficial and help alleviate your concerns. This is especially important for those signing commercial leases, as well as for individuals renting a residential property who are disabled or have a pet.