Blended families are becoming more common, which brings unique questions regarding inheritance. Stepchildren may wonder if they have any rights in an estate when a stepparent passes away. Understanding how estate laws apply to stepchildren can help families navigate...
Estate Planning
How often should you update your estate plan?
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do. After all, you want to protect your hard work—your assets, your family, and ultimately your legacy. Reviewing it after significant life changes ensures that your wishes are always transparent. An...
How should you talk to your elderly parents about wills?
Talking about end-of-life plans with your elderly parents may feel uncomfortable at first. However, doing so can bring clarity and prevent potential misunderstandings. Approaching the topic of wills respectfully is important to ensure they feel understood. Set the...
How to choose a power of attorney
If you become incapacitated, you may need someone to make financial, legal or medical decisions for you. In this case, you need a power of attorney, which is a legal document that gives your chosen person the right to make decisions for you. However, these individuals...
Choosing guardians for your children
As a parent, one of the most important elements in your estate plan is your child’s guardianship appointment. The guardian that you choose could play a critical role in your child’s upbringing. Many parents do not understand the factors that should contribute to that...
Are your 20s too early to have a will?
There is a misconception when it comes to estate planning that writing a will is only worthwhile if you are wealthy. This myth also leads people to believe that there is little point in having a will if you are young and just getting your financial start. The reality...
Questions to ask when drafting a will
The existence of a will assures the execution of your wishes after you pass. Without one, your estate will go into probate, which can be expensive and take a long time. When drafting a will with a competent individual, elementary questions will arise. Regardless,...
How to make sure your estate plan achieves what you want
Your estate plan determines what happens to your assets after your death. You want to designate particular property to specific family members or other loved ones. To implement your estate plan, you need legal documents that specify your desires and control the...
4 common misconceptions about wills
There are many misconceptions about wills and the estate planning process, but the biggest is that not everyone needs to create one. This is an umbrella misconception because many others fall under this category. Here are some more specific, but still common,...
Items that you shouldn’t leave out of a will
A will can be an effective tool for those who are looking to exert greater control over what happens to their Texas estate after they pass. A will can also be used to appoint a guardian for a child. However, if this document is not structured properly, it may be...
