The allure of a foreign land—perhaps where the weather is milder, the pace of life slower, and the cost of living lower—is a dream for many Americans who want to escape our country’s fast-paced, high-cost living. That dream can become a reality, and a tangible investment, for Americans who purchase a home overseas. Wealthy individuals […]
Our Blog
Minimalism May Be Great for Your Life but Not for Your Estate Plan from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
In a modern world marked by information overload, overflowing inboxes, nonstop notifications, and the constant pressure to accumulate more stuff, minimalism offers a compelling counternarrative. Born from the mid-twentieth century artistic rebellion and revived in the 2010s on the back of increased digital clutter, climate anxiety, and economic strain, minimalism promises clarity and order based on […]
Your Divorce Decree: The First Step in Estate Planning from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
You and your spouse have recently divorced, and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel that you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. If you and your former spouse created an estate plan […]
Does Treating Your Children Fairly Mean Unequal Inheritances? from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
When thinking through their estate plan and how they want their assets (money and property) managed after they pass away, most parents wish to treat their children equally, often out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what is right by your children may mean giving unequal inheritances. The Key Takeaways […]
The Deaths of Gene Hackman and His Wife from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
When investigators entered the home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Machiko Arakawa, in a gated community outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025, they found the couple dead under mysterious circumstances. Following their investigation, authorities pieced together a timeline of the couple’s last days, indicating that a period of […]
Do You Go By Different Names? Ensure That Your Estate Planning Attorney Knows from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Your name is one of the most personal things about you. It can tell the rest of the world so much about your family, your history, and occasionally even your personality. But not everyone keeps the same name they were given at birth. If you are a beneficiary or a creditor of an estate, or if […]
Using AI to Prepare for Your Initial Estate Planning Consultation from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been rapidly impacting education and the workforce with users using a variety of platforms, such as ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, and other large language models. These tools have led to the expansion of learning opportunities available at one’s fingertips. By using AI to generate questions for your initial estate planning consultation, these […]
Estate Planning For Farmers and Ranchers from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Farming and ranching is more than just a livelihood; it is about preserving a legacy and a way of life. Unfortunately, many farmers and ranchers fail to create a comprehensive estate plan—or any estate plan at all. Without a proper estate plan, the family farm or ranch, passed down for generations, can end up being […]
How an Inheritance Can Enhance Your Loved One’s Educational Experience from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
A primary goal of estate planning is to financially provide for your loved ones. One way to ensure that they are set up for lifelong success is with an inheritance that pays for their education. Higher levels of education are positively correlated with better life outcomes, including improved health, longer lifespans, and higher incomes.[1] However, education […]
Five Reasons Why Your Relative May Not Make a Good Trustee from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring the trust’s longevity and ultimate success. Initially, you may think that a relative (for example, Uncle Bill to your children, who are the initial beneficiaries of your trust) will be the best choice as […]