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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.

Many people turn to free online forms or online templates to complete their estate planning, rather than meeting with an attorney. Unfortunately, there are many unexpected consequences to online or DIY estate planning. These "cheaper" options can lead to your Will being contested, invalidated, or requiring extra expense to probate. It can also result in an outcome that isn’t what you would have wanted. When it comes to estate planning in Texas, working with an experienced probate attorney is the best way to ensure your assets and wishes are protected.

The cost of a living trust in Texas depends on the type of trust you need. A revocable trust is one that can be completely or partially revoked either during the lifetime of the person creating the trust or afterward. An irrevocable trust means just that: it cannot be revoked. The cost of a very simple living trust is a minimum of $1,500 - $2,000. The average cost goes up incrementally with the complexity of the trust document.

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.

Trusts are an excellent tool to provide for the future needs of yourself or your loved ones. A trust can be especially beneficial if you have children with special needs, including minor children and adult children with disabilities. There are two types: general support and supplemental care. You can also create a trust for yourself if you need to apply for Medicaid and your assets exceed the limits to qualify.

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.

There are times when a Living Trust is a smart estate planning tool that can simplify or avoid probate, and save your family thousands of dollars. A Living Trust is not always a necessary part of an estate plan. However, if you own property in multiple states or counties, have beneficiaries who require special assistance or restrictions, or need special help in managing your assets, a Living Trust may be a good idea.