As a domicile of Texas, you may be able to rely on the state’s probate laws to a limited extent should you divorce. Almost all estate planning lawyers will recommend periodic reviews of estate planning documents. Your estate planning attorney will most likely ask you to review your estate plan during or after important life-changing events. One of these events is divorce. At least one time after your divorce, you should sit down with your estate planning attorney to review your estate plan. … [Read more...]
Elderly Residents Warned of Living Trust Scams: Part 3 of 3
Elderly residents should be wary of high-pressure tactics from overbearing salespeople who pressure them into giving them your financial information. Be wary of con artists throwing around probate law terms like “executors.” You should always be suspicious of claims from scam companies promising that you can significantly reduce your estate taxes by creating living trusts. A written will can also help you reduce your taxes and are often less expensive to create. Promises that a living trust will … [Read more...]
Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Are you interested in pursuing asset protection planning for your estate, your assets and your properties? There tends to be a lot of controversy surrounding the topic of asset protection, and with good reason. Do you have assets and properties you wish to protect during your estate planning process? Have you read about asset protection plans that were not created correctly, and are now concerned regarding if you should put one into place? This is not an uncommon concern and, I can assure you, … [Read more...]
Estate Planning & Asset Protection
Are you interested in pursuing asset protection planning for your estate, your assets and your properties? There tends to be a lot of controversy surrounding the topic of asset protection, and with good reason. Do you have assets and properties you wish to protect during your estate planning process? Have you read about asset protection plans that were not created correctly, and are now concerned regarding if you should put one into place? This is not an uncommon concern and, I can assure you, … [Read more...]
What is Special Needs Planning?
Are you the parent of a special needs child or the caregiver of a family member with special needs? Are you concerned about their future should something happen to you leaving you incapacitated, or ever what might happen following your passing? These are not uncommon concerns, even for those who are not parents. Even if you are a loved one with a family member who has special needs, these concerns are ever-present. What is going to happen? What can we do to prepare? Special needs planning is a … [Read more...]
Put the Proper Estate Plan Tools Into Place
There are a large number of estate planning tools your estate planning lawyer is experienced with, and understands that you are not. Because there are so many options to explore and tools to put into place, it will be necessary to meet with your estate planning lawyer regularly until everything is complete. Even then, meetings will follow regularly in order to keep all the documents up to date. Often times, people believe they only have to worry about their estate plan during the planning … [Read more...]
Can You Avoid Estate Litigation?
Are you concerned your estate is going to go into litigation following your passing? Estate litigation is the process by which the estate is being contested by one or more parties. If you are worried about this happening with your estate, discuss your concerns with your estate planning lawyer. There are a number of ways to avoid these costly court proceedings. These include the following: Gift your assets: because so many fights occur over sentimental property following someone’s passing, … [Read more...]
