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A widely-held belief about probate is that it is long and expensive. That is often not the case. How long it will take and how much it will cost depend on a number of factors. In most cases, it is not a lengthy or horribly expensive process.

Have you selected successor beneficiaries on your life insurance, retirement accounts, investments, and bank accounts? Now is a good time to double-check. Choosing a successor (or secondary) beneficiary allows you to take steps to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, whatever the future may hold.

The right estate planning attorney will have the skills to handle your legal needs and a personality that puts you at ease. By taking the time to evaluate their experience, communication style, and approach to your case, you can choose a partner who will help you draw up an estate plan that perfectly fits your needs and wishes.

It's all too common for parents to put off estate planning to protect the settlement of their estates for the loved ones left behind because they don't believe they are old enough to think about it yet. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Estate planning is even more necessary for young parents, as it allows them to choose a guardian for their children and set the terms for when their estate will be divided, should the unthinkable happen.

When a loved one dies without a Will in Texas, you have three options: 1) if statutory requirements are met, a Small Estate Affidavit probate, 2) a formal court Determination of Heirship and estate administration, or 3) an informal Affidavit of Heirship document. These are the steps involved in these proceedings, as well as best practices to follow.

Estate planning is especially important for people with blended families in the state of Texas. Without a Will, probate issues can be complicated and the result may not be what the deceased person might have wanted. If you have a blended family, here's how to provide for your estate to pass as you desire.

It is a common misconception that prenuptial agreements are only for the rich and famous. The truth is, a prenup can benefit couples in a number of situations, even for us common folk.

The time to seriously review all of a loved one's financial and estate planning affairs is in the early stages of Dementia or Alzheimer's. Progression of the degree of incapacity varies from person to person. A visit to a physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan should be your first priority. A visit to an attorney should be next.

Texas law provides for a shortened, less complicated, less expensive form of probate in specific circumstances. This is called probate as a muniment of title. It is a simple process compared to a full, regular probate.

Probate can be overwhelming and costly. Fortunately, a Lady Bird Deed or Transfer on Death Deed, joint tenancy with right of survivorship ownership, and a payable-on-death designation can help you pass on assets at death without the necessity of probate. By proactively drawing up one of these estate planning tools, you can save all parties money, time, and stress.