property Archives - Nielsen Law

What Happens to Roof Repairs and Insurance Claims If a Homeowner Dies? By Jason Gibson, Owner of Storm Guard Roofing of Austin

Liz Nielsen / March 10, 2026

When people think about estate planning, they often focus on wills, trusts, and inheritance. What’s often overlooked is the home’s condition, especially ongoing roof repairs or insurance claims. For many families in Austin and Travis County, the home is the estate’s largest asset. Unresolved roof damage or open insurance claims can cause delays, confusion, and unexpected […]

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Caution: Writing Your Own Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Costly Unintended Consequences from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / February 10, 2026

One goal of estate planning is to ensure assets, including your home, pass to chosen beneficiaries quickly and inexpensively. In real estate, a common strategy to avoid probate is adding others to the title of the property, such as a spouse, children, or other beneficiaries. Many who use this strategy are banking on using the “rights […]

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If I Leave Someone My Home, What Do They Really Get? From Austin estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / November 25, 2025

Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets, if not the most valuable one you own. Calling it an asset can feel cold. A home is more than materials and possessions. It’s where we live, gather, create stories, and share lasting memories. But legally, your home is a combination of property types and their […]

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International Inheritance Laws from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / November 18, 2025

Estate planning can be complicated enough when all your assets and loved ones are located within one country. But for US residents with international connections, whether through property, citizenship, residency, business interests, or loved ones living abroad, it can become significantly more complex with international inheritance laws. Different countries have different rules about who inherits, how […]

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Property Ownership Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / October 21, 2025

Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, like a spouse, adult child, or someone not related to you by blood or marriage? If so, you might be surprised that a common way of owning property could create future problems for your loved ones. There are several forms of joint […]

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Trust Funding: Setting Your Trustee Up for Success from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / August 26, 2025

A revocable living trust can serve as a valuable estate planning tool to help ensure that your finances remain well managed if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs while you are alive) and to provide future financial security for your loved ones upon your passing. However, merely signing the trust agreement does not complete […]

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How to Help Your Loved Ones (and Your Life Savings) Avoid Probate from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / August 19, 2025

Ask any estate planning attorney and many will admit a main goal of clients it to avoid probate. Even in states where the process is quicker and easier, probate tends to remain something of a boogeyman. Today, many people use tools such as revocable living trust instead of a will, joint ownership, or beneficiary designation as the […]

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Being Deployed? Here Is What You Need to Do from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen

Liz Nielsen / August 12, 2025

You have just received your orders, and you will be deployed shortly. No matter how soon you are leaving, there is still time to ensure that your affairs are in order. Review or Prepare a Family Care Plan. Regardless of the branch of the military in which you are serving, you may be required to complete […]