You cannot start handling someone’s estate until they are dead. You can, however, do a lot while they are still alive to make things easier once they die. The person who knows most about the estate plan is the person making it – the testator – and you won’t be able...
Families in Texas sometimes question the validity of a loved one’s estate plan. After someone dies, the contents of their will may seem far different than the preferences they expressed while alive. Some families reach the conclusion that an outside party may have...
Estate administration can be a delicate process, often fraught with emotional challenges as family members come to terms with the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, estate disputes are common, especially when beneficiaries feel left out of the decision-making process...
An estate plan can establish several important relationships to help ensure the management of assets. A testator names an executor of the estate to manage and settle assets, including paying debts and taxes and contacting beneficiaries. A grantor can set up a trust,...
When someone dies, the distribution of their estate is typically managed by an executor. Not only is an executor someone that the deceased likely trusted very deeply to manage their final affairs but they are legally obligated to act in the best interests of the...
When a person creates an estate plan, one of the tasks they must complete involves naming the executor of their estate. This is the person who will handle administration of the estate at issue after the creator dies. Once the estate executor is taking care of the...
One common reason for estate disputes is when the distributions to the beneficiaries are not fair and even. These are known as unequal bequests. Some evidence suggests they are becoming more and more common, but they also increase the odds of a dispute. For instance,...
If you recently lost someone you love and their will seems strange, it may be time to consider the possibility of undue influence. Unfortunately, it is a common problem among the elderly and vulnerable. A rough definition of undue influence in the realm of estate law...
Administering a trust is a significant responsibility. If you are getting ready to administer a trust, you’ll be entrusted to properly manage and distribute trust assets according to the terms set by the trust’s creator (the grantor). As a trustee, you are a...
Ancillary probate in Texas is a process used to handle the assets of a deceased person that are located in Texas but whose primary estate is being probated in another state. While ancillary probate generally unfolds according to a relatively straightforward...