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 […]
Trustee
How to Keep Your Child’s Inheritance Out of Your In-Law’s Hands from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
About 40 to 50 percent of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Regardless of how you feel about your child’s spouse, you must face the possibility that they could become your child’s ex-spouse. Should that day come, the money you leave to your child could be subject to a division of marital […]
What To Do if Your Trustee Is Unresponsive from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
The duties of a trustee has been covered by this blog in the past. Long time readers will know that a trustee has a duty under the law to communicate with beneficiaries and keep them reasonably informed as to the progress of the trust administration. In Texas, trustees are required to provide annual accounting of […]
How to Select a Fiduciary for Your Estate Plan from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
While the term “fiduciary” is a legal term with a long history, it very generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interests. Trustees, executors, and agents are all examples of fiduciaries. When you pick trustees, executors, and agents in your estate plan, you’re picking one or more people to […]