No one looks forward to the passing of a loved one, but many people cannot help but wonder about a future inheritance. Often when a person dies and leaves money or property, the beneficiaries and heirs want to know about the overall value of the estate. Most jurisdictions require an executor or trustee shares this […]
Probate
3 Ways to Avoid Probate Costs from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
The bad news: When a deceased person’s estate (all of their money and property) has to go through probate (the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s money and property), it can be subject to a variety of costs stemming from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, and courts, as well as potential delays. The good news: […]
Wills are Public Record from Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and property) as a private process. Wills are filed at the courthouse, and therefore probated estates become a matter of public record and can be seen by everyone. That means your nosy neighbor Nellie can simply go down to […]
The Lengthy Probate Process from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its “intestacy” statute). While most people want the settlement process to be done ASAP, probate can take between 3 months to a year or more. This […]