Individuals often assume that creating a will guarantees that their assets will distribute to designated parties seamlessly. However, for a will to be legally binding, the document must meet certain strict legal requirements. For instance, a will must include...
What are the three options for handling your business after your death?
Ensuring that your estate plan covers every aspect of your life is essential to prevent issues after your death. While you may find it easy to assign assets to heirs, there is one asset that often creates the most complicated situation. Deciding what to do with your...
What should you never do as the executor of an estate?
After a loved one appoints you as the executor of the will, you have a lot of responsibilities. To ensure that the process rolls forward smoothly, you need to secure the assets, probate the will, notify beneficiaries and more. With a long to-do list, Forbes also has a...
Contesting a will
Many people die before they have created an estate plan, which can lead to confusion and heartache for those left behind. Sometimes there is confusion and heartache even with a last testament in place. The testator, or creator of the will, may make mistakes while...
Is it time to update your estate plan?
Texas residents like you have a lot of ground to cover when working out your estate plan. Creating the first draft often takes many months to perfect. After you finish, it may feel tempting to leave it as-is. But you must update your estate plan somewhat frequently....
What is a no-contest clause?
It is not uncommon to have concerns regarding what will happen with your estate after death. Particularly if you believe that your heirs may challenge any will that you put forth, you may be looking for ways to prevent this. The most common way to prevent any...
When sibling rivalries cause disputes over a will
Will contests come up for different reasons, whether a family member believes that their loved one was under the undue influence of another or the executor is accused of failing to distribute assets appropriately. However, some wills are disputed because of sibling...
How can you stop your children from disputing a will?
When it comes to planning your estate, you probably want the least amount of drama possible. Most families do not want to consider that disputes may happen. If you worry about inheritance disputes amongst your children, AARP has some ideas on how to avoid a fight. To...
Can I challenge a will?
Challenging a will after a person's death can be a very difficult process, and it is important to understand the basics of this legal undertaking. In reality, there are several laws that dictate who can and cannot contest a will, and under what circumstances wills can...
3 steps for successfully contesting a will in Texas
A will is a legal document specifying those who will receive a person’s property when they die. It also establishes an executor, who will be in charge of settling the estate. A “will contest” is a lawsuit that seeks to nullify a person’s will after their death. They...
