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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.

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.

Blended family estate planning is necessary because inheritance where there is no Will is not the same as for a family where there is only one marriage and the children are all of that marriage. Step-children will not inherit the same as biological children, and your spouse will not inherit all of your estate if you have biological children from a previous relationship. You should always create a new Will or trust when you remarry, or consider getting a pre-nup beforehand to act as an estate planning tool.

In Texas, an individual who dies without a Will is said to have died intestate. As a result, their estate will be distributed according to the Texas Estates Code if payable on death or beneficiary arrangements have been made for their disposition. In some cases, Texas's intestate law provisions for the estate are not the same as what the individual wanted for their assets. The costs of the proceedings necessary to dispose of an intestate estate are also often much more expensive.

Setting up a Living Trust is the best way to ensure your assets are passed onto the right people if you pass away. To start the process, you will need to gather all pertinent information about your assets, choose your primary and secondary trustees, determine how you want the trust to operate after your passing, and finalize the trust agreement with the help of an attorney.