Blog


Sep

9

2024

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Top 10 Reasons You Need A Will

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

There are many reasons people put off creating a Will. However, this decision can cost your family a lot of money and heartache in the long run. It can also lead to your estate being distributed in ways that you would not want. Drawing up a Will provides a number of benefits, from allowing you to choose exactly how your estate will be distributed to providing for stepchildren or restricting the rights of the surviving spouse to change a joint plan for the distribution of assets.

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Aug

29

2024

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Avoid Probate: 3 Easy Estate Planning Tools

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

Here are three simple tools that help you pass on assets at death without the necessity of probate, saving all parties money, time, and stress.

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Aug

15

2024

image for Why You Should Consider Prenups As Part Of Your Estate Plan

Why You Should Consider Prenups As Part Of Your Estate Plan

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

Prenups may be beneficial to a couple marrying, whether or not they are rich and famous. They are not just a contingency plan for a possible divorce. In fact, prenups can be an important tool for your estate plan, particularly if you have children from a previous relationship or more property going into the marriage.

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Aug

2

2024

image for The Top 5 Reasons People Put Off Drawing Up A Will (And Why You Never Should)

The Top 5 Reasons People Put Off Drawing Up A Will (And Why You Never Should)

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

Preparing a Will is a smart, compassionate, financially wise, and easy thing to do. So, stop making excuses, and do it! Anyone who has been through settling an estate for a loved one who failed to make a Will can attest to how much they would have preferred the alternative.

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Jul

25

2024

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What Do I Do If A Loved One Dies Without A Will?

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

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.

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Jul

3

2024

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What Is The Cost Of A Simple Estate Planning Package

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

People frequently delay drawing up a Will or other pieces of an estate plan because of concern for the cost. However, the cost of preparing a simple estate plan package is very reasonable. Compared to the expense of handling your estate without a Will, it's a bargain.

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Jun

13

2024

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When Is The Cost Of A Living Trust Not Worth It?

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

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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May

15

2024

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Why You Should Have A Statutory Durable Power Of Attorney

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

An important component of an estate plan is a statutory durable power of attorney, otherwise called a general power of attorney. This power of attorney allows you to name an agent to carry on business-type activities on your behalf if, for any reason, you are not able to do so yourself.

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May

9

2024

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Why You Need A Living Will And Medical Power Of Attorney

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

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.

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May

7

2024

image for How Long Does The Probate Process Take? [Probate Q&A Video Series]

How Long Does The Probate Process Take? [Probate Q&A Video Series]

Posted by: Adair M. Buckner

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.

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