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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.

Guardianships are complicated and time-consuming. Unfortunately, they can also be expensive. The cost of guardianship will depend on the type, labor involved, and the specific situation of the ward. While a guardianship will likely cost you several thousand dollars, in many instances, it may be necessary to avoid heartache in the future for you and your loved one.

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.

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.