Blog

Lien foreclosure gives you a process to recover some or all of the money still owed you. Unfortunately, you are going to have to deal with very complicated, tricky legal foreclosure steps to get there. When you are faced with foreclosing on your lien, you will need to get an attorney, follow their advice closely, be patient, and be prepared to resell the property if needed.

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.

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.

There are two types of probate where there is a Will in Texas that can be followed to distribute a loved one's estate after he or she passes away. Formal probate is a longer, more complex process. On the other hand, probate as a muniment of title is a simple and affordable way to ensure your loved one's assets are distributed as required in the Will. The type of probate applicable to your situation will depend on a number of factors.

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.