I enjoy sharing information with our readers to help them navigate the confusing legal process. Harris County, Texas has some excellent information about probate on their “helpful guidelines” page . This information can help you understand what to look for in a will, how property passes in the State of…
When a loved one passes away, cleaning out the house can feel like an impossible task. Not only is it difficult to know what needs to be done in a practical sense but it is emotionally devastating. Keeping organized is key. There are legal, practical and humanitarian considerations. First…
“Family heirlooms” can present a problem when drafting a will or when dividing property in an estate. When I am helping clients with their wills, I have noticed that this is often a sticking point. They sometimes agonize over which family member should inherit an item, a collection, or a…
So, you have gone through the Texas probate process and you are now a new Executor of the Estate. How much is going to be on your plate? What comes next? Here is what you need to know: The process doesn’t end when you are appointed. In fact, your work…
So you are finally going to get your will done. This has probably been something that has been placed on your “to do” list and moved to the bottom time and time again. Once you have finally decided to proceed, you’ve called the estate planning lawyer and made the appointment.…
If you have recently been to a Texas probate court and been granted Letters Testamentary, you will be asked how many certified copies you need. How should you determine this? The first thing that you should do is to make a list of the property that needs to be transferred.…
If you are about to have your will drafted, you will need to choose someone to be your Executor. Depending upon the situation, you may also need to choose someone to be a Trustee of a trust, or be a Guardian to your minor children. The same person may serve…
We always tell people to consider updating their will if one of the “major players” dies, becomes incapacitated or estranged. In other words, if a named beneficiary (someone who is inheriting), an executor (person who will manage the distribution of the estate) or a trustee (person who you have named…
Executors of Texas wills have specific duties and responsibilities. If someone that you know has asked if they can name you as their Executor, Co-Executor or Alternate Executor, you may want to know more about the job before you accept it. A Co-Executor is an Executor that serves at the same time…
The May 2013 AARP Bulletin has an excellent article about being an executor of an estate. The article urges that anyone who is going to make that promise or take on that responsibility should know the practical aspects of the job they are signing up to do. Specifically, anyone who…