A will that the testator created or changed shortly before passing away can cause controversy and suspicion among family members. Especially when the will names a single heir who was the deceased's new "friend" or caregiver and disinherits their children,...
When someone dies, their assets often have to pass through probate court. Texas requires court oversight of estates that include thousands of dollars of property or real property worth any amount. Some individuals attempt to handle the probate process and estate...
When you get married, you agree to share your entire life with someone else. They benefit from your financial resources and from your income. Both of you may be responsible for one another's debts, and you may share ownership of your biggest assets. If your spouse...
Your estate plan can be as unique as you want it to be. Rather than just leaving umbrella instructions to divide your assets evenly among specific people, you can go into minute detail if you so desire. Addressing your most valuable property individually can be a...
As a child, you probably had total faith in your parents. When you were a young adult, they were your example for how to establish a career and manage a household. As wonderful as it is to get multiple decades of adulthood to share with your parents, it can be hard to...
Whether expected or the result of a tragic accident, the loss of a loved one is never easy. It is frustrating to think that some may find themselves dealing with additional stress when a will has unexpected results. What if you were unexpectedly left out of the will?...
Those who find themselves navigating the probate process likely wonder how long it will take. The answer will vary depending on a number of factors, including the following. #1: State law. One of the biggest predictors of how long the probate process takes is state...
People end up in probate court for a handful of different reasons. Sometimes, they are just there for probate oversight during estate administration. Other times, they may need a guardianship to protect an aging loved one. However, some of the most complex cases that...
When someone dies, their estate may need to go through probate court. Probate courts help ensure that creditors receive repayment and that those managing an estate follow the instructions provided by the testator. Often, probate proceedings are straightforward because...
People create trusts for multiple different reasons. Some people want to structure the financial resources they leave for their children or grandchildren. Others want to make sure they can qualify for Medicaid if they need benefits as they get older. Some people may...