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If you have ever gone through a hospital admissions process, you've likely been asked if you have a living will (also known as a directive to physicians) and a medical power of attorney. Here are the main benefits of both—and why they're worth the investment.

How soon must a Will be probated after death? In Texas, generally a Will must be filed within four years after the date of the death, but I encourage you to do it sooner rather than later. Neglecting to probate the Will can leave you in a more painful situation in the long run.

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.