The term homestead may seem like a throwback to pioneer days, but homestead exemption laws are directly relevant to today’s estate planning and can play a valuable role in a modern plan. Almost every state has some form of homestead exemption law primarily focused on reducing property taxes and protecting home equity from creditors. While the […]
Estate Planning
Property Ownership Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, like a spouse, adult child, or someone not related to you by blood or marriage? If so, you might be surprised that a common way of owning property could create future problems for your loved ones. There are several forms of […]
What to Do After a Loved One Dies from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Whether a loved one’s passing was expected, due to prolonged illness, or it happens unexpectedly, their passing is always a shock, often leaving behind questions of “what now?” among the survivors. If you have been named the person responsible for managing a loved one’s affairs, after there death, commonly called an executor or administrator (if your […]
Foster Children in an Estate Plan from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
A foster child may enter your life through the court system, an agency, or your extended family. No matter how it starts, the relationship can become deeply personal, with a strong feeling the child is yours. However, the law does not always see the relationship this way for inheritance purposes. If you die without estate […]