Ideally, when someone passes away, the paperwork and material concerns associated with the deceased’s passing are so seamlessly handled (thanks to excellent preparation) that they fade into the background, allowing the family and other loved ones to grieve and remember the deceased in peace. In fact, the whole business of estate planning—or at least a […]
Revocable Living Trust
Using Assisted Reproductive Technology: What Happens to Unused Genetic Material at Your Death? From Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
When you think about how you want your property to be distributed after your death, most of the time it is easy to identify that property—your home, your cars, your jewelry, etc. But what about the genetic material used in assisted reproductive technology, such as frozen sperm, eggs, and embryos? Is genetic material stored with […]
Can a Trust Own Your Business after You Die? From Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
The short answer to the title question is yes, your trust can own your business after you die. The longer legal answer is there are a number of considerations that may impact your trust’s ability to own a business after your death. One such consideration is the type of business interest you own. Is the […]
What Happens to My Spouse’s Debts at Their Death? by Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
A spouse’s death creates a difficult and demanding time for the surviving partner. As much as you might want space and time alone to process your grief, you may have certain responsibilities related to settling their affairs, including paying off spouse’s debts. Most Americans have some type of debt. The obligation to pay debts does […]