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 […]
Trusts
Three Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
Probate — people often consider it a dirty word. Especially those who have gone through the probate process. But for the rest of us, what even is probate? The Black’s Law legal dictionary defines ‘probate’ as the “legal process to determine the validity of a will.” In layman’s terms, it’s the process of the court […]
Three Celebrity Probate Disasters and Tragic Lessons from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Liz Nielsen
One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But think again: some of the world’s richest and most famous people shuffle off this mortal coil with no estate plan, While others have made estate planning mistakes that has tied up their fortunes and heirs in court for years. […]
The Slayer Rule – What Does It Mean and When Would It Apply? from Austin Estate Planning Attorney Katlyn Winters
The Slayer Rule – a frightening term for a frightening crime. In short, the Slayer Statute, addresses a murder motivated by inheritance. Like many mystery films of its kind, Rian Johnson’s 2019 Knives Out opens with a murder. Harlan Thrombey, a wealthy author, is found dead in his Massachusetts mansion. Although his death is first […]