As the name suggests, ABC’s TV show Modern Family depicts the relationships and experiences between a fictional extended family. Throughout the course of the series, the show addresses many issues that families deal with each day. For a close-knit family, such as this fictional one, estate planning is crucial to ensure that everyone is protected […]
Blended Families
The Death of Anne Heche: Lessons for Estate Planning from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
The recent accidental death of Anne Heche was a shocking reminder of how the everyday can quickly turn into the tragic. While driving through the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles on August 5, 2022, Heche was involved in a car crash and succumbed to her injuries a week later. The official cause of death […]
Why Can’t I Use a DIY Website for My Estate Plan? from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
There are many software programs, as well as websites, that sell do-it-yourself estate planning documents. These websites and form tools seem to offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to working with an estate planning attorney. But do they really meet your needs and protect your family? Is online, do-it-yourself estate planning worth the perceived upfront […]
What Is a Nongrantor Trust? from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Every trust has at least three important roles. One, the grantor (sometimes known as the trustmaker), the person who creates the trust. Two, the trustee, the person who manages the property placed in the trust. And three, the beneficiary, the person who reaps the benefit of the trust property. Every trust has at least one […]