The number of marriages in Texas has been in steady decline for years. The reasons for this vary, but it hardly means love or romance is dead. Most young couples choose instead to cohabitate, effectively acting as a married couple without the formality of a ceremony or even creating a common law marriage. Yet, these unmarried […]
It’s a constant, death and taxes. And even death doesn’t stop the tax man. As part of wrapping up your estate, your executor must file a final income tax return with the IRS. This tax return is for the portion of the last year you were alive. For Whom Must an Estate Tax Return Be Filed? […]
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), from 1986 through 2018, tens of millions of firearms were both manufactured in and imported into the United States.[1] Where are those guns today? They are most likely filling gun safes, closets, nightstands, and desk drawers in homes all across this country. Regardless of whether […]
The death of a loved one is never easy. Regardless of your relationship with the deceased, you need space and time to process and grieve your loss. Once you have had time to cope with all that has happened, you should consider updating your own estate plan in light of your loved one’s death. We are […]
If a loved one has recently died or become mentally incapacitated, finding the person’s Will and other estate planning documents is essential. These documents are critical to making decisions on the loved one’s behalf, gaining access to accounts, and discovering your deceased loved one’s wishes regarding how to distribute the individual’s money and property. Properly prepared […]
The person you choose to be your executor (sometimes called a personal representative) will play an extremely important role, as that person will be responsible for gathering, securing, managing, and ultimately distributing your money and property when you pass away. As a result, you should make your selection only after careful consideration regarding who is the […]
It is important to think carefully about your ability or willingness to serve as an executor or trustee for someone else. If a family member or friend has asked you to serve as the executor of his or her estate or as trustee of a trust he or she is creating, there are a number of […]
What is a Muniment of Title? A Muniment of Title allows a document, such as a Last Will and Testament, to be treated as proof of title to property. This procedure to settle estates is unique to Texas. A will admitted to probate as a muniment of title serves to act as a link in the […]
While putting together an estate plan is important for you and your loved ones, it is equally important for you to understand the role of the trusted individuals who will be carrying out your wishes when you are unable to. When it comes to estate planning, these helpers are key. They generally include a trustee, guardian, […]
Unfortunately, sometimes a death in the family can bring out the worst in people. Indeed, family resentments sometimes simmer during a time of grieving – particularly when money and assets from the deceased’s estate are involved. If you are a beneficiary under a loved one’s estate plan, you may be under the assumption that those assets […]
