The relationship between spouses is special in all contexts, not the least of which is the estate planning context. In many instances, you can exclude people (known as disinheriting them) from your estate plan, including your parents, siblings, and adult children. But there are special protections built into the law that may help protect a […]
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What Conditions Can I Put on My Child’s Inheritance? by Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Ask any parent about their goals for estate planning, and their first answer will be their wish to provide for their children. This goal is most effectively accomplished through an estate plan where parents can officially and formally express their wishes and intentions for providing for said children. There are two primary options for leaving […]
What to Bring to Your First Meeting with Your Business Lawyer from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Many Americans dream of leaving their nine-to-five job to start their own business—and in recent years, more people than ever have been doing it. A record number of new business applications were filed in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of historic small business growth and adding to the economic engine that drives the US […]
A Trust for Fluffy or Fido? Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Estate planning is about protecting what is important to you. Although much of the traditional estate planning conversation focuses on surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, and charities, many pet parents wonder what could happen to their “furry children” after their death. Enter the pet trust. This tool is something that can be easily incorporated into a new […]
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things […]
Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Go Up in Smoke from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
It’s fair to say that estate planning has never been truly popular. Research shows that, in 2024, less than one-third of Americans report having a will.[1] And even fewer people are creating estate plans today than in years past. However, the trust is that every adult—whether they are 19 or 99—really should have a will at […]
Why Snow White’s Father Should Have Had an Estate Plan from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Many of us are familiar with the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Central to the story is the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. After losing his first wife, the king decided to remarry in order to provide a motherly influence for his daughter, Snow White. While things were peaceful for […]
Navigating the Fiscal Year 2025 Greenbook: Key Trust and Estate Tax Proposals from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released its General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals. Commonly referred to as the Greenbook, this document lays out tax proposals that would support President Biden’s policy priorities if he is reelected to a second term. A major focus of this year’s Greenbook is increasing taxes […]
What Is Next for Your Estate Plan? from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Having an estate plan is a great way to ensure you and your loved ones are protected today and in the future. When creating an estate plan, we look at what is going on in your life at that time. But because life is full of changes, it is important to make sure your plan […]
What You Can Learn from the Leno Conservatorship Proceedings from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
When most people think about creating an estate plan, they usually focus on what will happen when they die. They typically do not consider what their wishes would be if they were alive but unable to manage their own affairs (in other words, if they are alive but incapacitated). In many cases, failing to plan […]