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Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 2 of 2

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Continuing our two-part blog series focusing on the rights of illegitimate children or children born out of wedlock, we’ll cover when an illegitimate child can inherit from your biological father. As you know from reading the first blog in this series, an illegitimate child can inherit from his or her natural mother if she includes him or her in her Will and even if she failed to create a valid Will. Under the state’s intestacy laws, an illegitimate child has intestacy rights to inherit from … [Read more...] about Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 2 of 2

Texas History – Do You Know What is the Oldest Artifact in the State Capitol of Texas?

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The restored remains of the original 1835 San Jacinto flag is the oldest artifact in the state capitol of Texas. It hangs behind the Speaker’s desk in the House Chamber. The flag features a female figure holding a sword over which is draped a sash or ribbon bearing the slogan "Liberty or Death." … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What is the Oldest Artifact in the State Capitol of Texas?

Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?

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Jessica Savitch (1947-1983) - Television News Anchor   Savitch was a popular local television newscaster at KYW-TV, the former NBC affiliate (now CBS) in Philadelphia, and a Washington correspondent for NBC News. Thanks to her screen presence and attractive style, she was eventually promoted to the news anchor of the weekend NBC Nightly News, and she also anchored Frontline on PBS. Her autobiography, Anchorwoman, was published in 1982. However, her unstable personal life became … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?

Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 1 of 2

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In most states, including Texas, a child born out of wedlock is an illegitimate child. Rightfully, illegitimate children are treated as heirs in some cases. According to Texas law, they can take advantage of many of the state’s intestacy statutes. However, illegitimate children may not be able to receive inheritances under the state’s intestacy laws. Texas law gives illegitimate children or children born out of wedlock the intestate rights to inherit from their natural mothers but not from their … [Read more...] about Texas Intestacy Estate Planning for Children Born out of Wedlock: Part 1 of 2

Texas History – Do You Know How Many Texan Combatants Died at the Alamo?

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Santa Anna’s army of approximately 2,600 had 600 killed and wounded, although those totals range lower in Santa Anna’s official report and higher in some Texan accounts. All the Texan combatants died. Their estimated numbers on the final day varied in conflicting reports from 189 to 257. Of those Texans who perished, at least nine (9) were of Hispanic ancestry. Approximately thirty (30) women, children, and slaves survived the siege and fall of the Alamo. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know How Many Texan Combatants Died at the Alamo?

Procedures in Probating a Will in Texas: Part 3 of 3

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Continuing the last blog within this three-part series, we will discuss proceeding with administration of the decedent’s estate using the Small Estate Affidavit. Unless the decedent’s assets fall within the small estate exception, the administration process involves appointing a personal representative to administer or oversee the distribution of the decedent’s assets pursuant to his or her will. If the decedent died without a valid will, you may be able to bypass the formal estate … [Read more...] about Procedures in Probating a Will in Texas: Part 3 of 3

Texas History – Do You Know How the Alamo Got Its Name?

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There are two potential explanations. Spanish authorities established the Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718 and construction continued over the next several decades. Following secularization in 1793, a company of Spanish soldiers from San Carlos del Alamo de Parras in Coahuila used the buildings as its headquarters. The soldiers referred to their post as the Alamo and applied the name to their new assignment. Another explanation for the name refers to the Alamo (cottonwood) trees growing … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know How the Alamo Got Its Name?