When creating a power of attorney (POA), it is crucial to choose an individual who is trustworthy and capable of managing your affairs in your stead. Below are some considerations you should have before naming your POA agent. The agent’s characteristics When choosing...
Estate Planning
What makes a trust valid under Texas law?
Transferring your assets into a trust can be a smart move when planning for the future. However, many individuals don’t take this step until it’s too late. When this happens, the assets accumulated during a lifetime may be subject to probate rather than personal...
Could your loved one benefit from a special needs trust?
If you have a loved one who requires special care and support, you may have concerns about what will happen to him or her in the future if you are no longer around to care for him or her. There are ways you can craft an estate plan that will allow you to address these...
Understanding the probate process in Texas
If your loved one passes away with a will, their estate will go through the probate process which ensures their assets are distributed to their beneficiaries and their debts are paid. Probate process The first step in the probate process is to file a petition with the...
Should you simplify assets as you approach estate planning?
The estate planning process is, in essence, all about planning for the future. And, oftentimes, simple plans are the best ones, both for those who are drafting the estate plans and the ones who will benefit from the plans. Overly complicated estate plans are usually...
The most effective ways to pass wealth to your heirs
One of the primary goals for creating an estate plan is having a strategy that will allow you to maintain control over what happens to your personal property after you pass. By creating a plan, you will be able to decide exactly what will happen to your wealth and...
Reasons why every adult needs a will
Planning for death is not typically a preferred subject for most people in Texas. Of course, death is inevitable and something that will happen to everyone. As such, it makes good sense to prepare for this inevitable event. Creating a will is a way to ensure that...
How to talk to kids about estate planning
Planning for the eventuality of death and the possibility of incapacitation in the future is not easy. These are sensitive matters, and it is not easy to discuss this possibility with loved ones, especially children. While the discussion about estate planning may not...
What is a breach of fiduciary duty?
A breach of fiduciary duty is a legal term that refers to a situation in which someone who owes a fiduciary duty to another person fails to act in that party's best interests. A fiduciary duty is a legal obligation to act in the best interests of another party,...
Why a trust could be a beneficial estate planning tool
When planning for the future, it is important to take current and future needs into consideration. While there is no way to accurately predict what will happen in the coming months and years, it is possible to make plans that will provide stability and security long...