Probate — people often consider it a dirty word. Especially those who have gone through the probate process. But for the rest of us, what even is probate? The Black’s Law legal dictionary defines ‘probate’ as the “legal process to determine the validity of a will.” In layman’s terms, it’s the process of the court […]
Estate Plan
Three Celebrity Probate Disasters and Tragic Lessons from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But think again: some of the world’s richest and most famous people shuffle off this mortal coil with no estate plan, While others have made estate planning mistakes that has tied up their fortunes and heirs in court for years. […]
The Slayer Rule – What Does It Mean and When Would It Apply? from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Katlyn Winters
The Slayer Rule – a frightening term for a frightening crime. In short, the Slayer Statute, addresses a murder motivated by inheritance. Like many mystery films of its kind, Rian Johnson’s 2019 Knives Out opens with a murder. Harlan Thrombey, a wealthy author, is found dead in his Massachusetts mansion. Although his death is first […]
Handling S Corporation Interests in Estate Planning: Electing Small Business Trusts and Qualified Subchapter S Trusts from Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
One of the many challenges of owning a small business is determining the appropriate tax classification of the business. When an individual owns a business entity that is classified either entirely or partially as an S Corporation, it is important to seek the guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney and tax advisor for planning […]