Trust administration often involves asset management and careful investments. Trustees may need to physically maintain property, make decisions about the future of assets and determine the appropriate sale value for resources when selling trust assets. Trustees must...
When a loved one leaves a trust, the trustee is supposed to safeguard those assets and manage them in the beneficiary’s best interest. But trustees don’t always meet that mark. Sometimes they stop communicating, mishandle money, or simply can’t keep up with the job. ...
Remarriage after a divorce or the death of a spouse is common. Sometimes, people marry substantially younger spouses. When that happens, the younger spouse is likely to outlive the older one. There may then be concerns about the estate plan left by the older spouse...
Serving as a trustee can place you in charge of assets that someone else set aside for family members or other beneficiaries. In that role, you are responsible for carrying out the instructions in the trust and handling those assets appropriately. If problems arise...
Disputes over a loved one’s will can become deeply emotional, especially when family members suspect someone acted dishonestly during the estate planning process. In Texas, certain forms of misconduct may give surviving relatives or beneficiaries valid reasons to...
People often update their estate plans, and it can be very beneficial to do so. An estate plan may become outdated over time, and it is helpful to make changes regarding healthcare decisions, the distribution of assets, beneficiary designations and much more. However,...
If you’re considering contesting a will in Texas, you’re likely dealing with more than just legal questions. You’re also probably thinking about family tension, financial uncertainty and whether it’s even worth it. Before you take the next step, it’s important to...
Many estate disputes revolve around items with sentimental value, such as family heirlooms. These disputes can be very complex for the beneficiaries, and communication and planning in advance can help to avoid them. There are many potential family heirlooms that could...
Probate is often a time-consuming process that can cause legal complications for the deceased’s loved ones. However, by understanding the common probate issues in Texas, families can navigate the process more clearly and address challenges that may arise along the...
Beneficiaries or heirs expecting to inherit from an estate are often familiar with the property of the person who passed. Those closest to the decedent may expect to inherit specific resources or to be the recipient of their life insurance policy proceeds....