You have recently divorced and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel as though you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. If you and your former spouse had estate planning done together previously, it […]
If you’ve been appointed an executor of a loved one’s estate, or a successor trustee, and that person dies, your grief – not to mention your to-do list, including tasks ranging from planning the funeral, coordinating relatives coming in from out of town and (eventually) meeting with a trust administration or probate lawyer – can be […]
What is a Muniment of Title? A Muniment of Title allows a document, such as a Last Will and Testament, to be treated as proof of title to property. This procedure to settle estates is unique to Texas. A will admitted to probate as a muniment of title serves to act as a link in the […]
Each person accumulates a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and values throughout the course of their life. Regardless of whether you are financially wealthy, you have a great deal to share with your loved ones. An ethical will, sometimes also called a legacy letter, is a great way to pass on the wisdom that you have acquired […]
The internet offers all the information and tools we need at our fingertips to create our own estate plan, right? For most people, this is simply not true. Several years ago, Consumer Reports®, an independent nonprofit consumer watchdog group, created wills using the forms provided by DIY websites and asked three law professors to review them. […]
Most Americans have not executed basic estate planning documents. A study by caring.com found that only 42% of Americans have wills. Even fewer have executed other important estate planning documents: A durable power of attorney enables a trusted person to handle your affairs if you become mentally incapable A medical power of attorney enables a trusted […]
Real estate is more than just your primary residence. It can include other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. Depending upon the type of real estate you own, the ideal form of title can vary. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and make suggestions about […]
Real estate can take on different forms of ownership depending upon the number of parties and the unique circumstances involved. Understanding how your real estate is owned, or “titled,” is necessary because the title determines the extent of control you have over your real estate, how susceptible your property is to creditors, and what will happen […]
