When starting your estate plan, it is best to understand that one size never fits all. Estate plans are best when tailored to your needs, but it raises the question of which plan is the best for you and your family? The two most common types of estate plans are Will-Based Plans and Trust-Based Plans. […]
Trust
Saving for Your Family’s Education From Austin Estate Planning Lawyer Liz Nielsen
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2018–2019 academic year, the average tuition and fees for a public four-year institution were $9,200; $35,800 for a private nonprofit four-year institution; $3,700 for a public two-year institution; and $18,400 for a private nonprofit two-year institution. If post-secondary education is in your family’s future, there […]
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 […]
Fund Your Trust to Avoid Probate From Austin Probate Attorney Attorney Liz Nielsen
Today, many people are using a revocable living trust instead of a will or joint ownership as the foundation of their estate plan. When properly prepared, a living trust avoids the public, costly and time-consuming court processes of guardianship (due to incapacity) or probate (after death). Still, many people make a big mistake that sends […]