An estate plan ensures your wishes unfold the way you want, but planning is not a one-and-done task. Life is ever-changing, and so are your circumstances. Your estate plan should evolve with you to remain effective and aligned with your current goals, especially when...
Will Contests
Can creditors file claims against my estate after I die?
Estate planning makes the process of distributing assets after death an easy one. If you reside in Texas, it is important to know the involvement of creditors in this process and whether they retain the ability to file claims against your estate. Consider the...
3 ways to prevent a will contest
As you build your wealth, you want the confidence that it gets dispersed the way you want upon your death. If you have planned ahead, unlike the two out of three Americans without any estate planning documentation, according to Caring.com, you feel a sense of...
What exactly is testamentary capacity?
If your elderly parents have not yet drafted an estate plan, you may be in store for some headaches after their death. In addition to having to deal with family disputes, you may be at risk of losing out on some or all of your inheritance. As individuals age, they...
What should you do with superseded drafts of your will?
If you have written a will to describe how you want to distribute your property after your death, you are doing better than most Americans. After all, as a recent survey found, almost 70% of individuals across all age groups have not yet created even a bare-bones...
Proving undue influence is often a challenge
A Texas will is not legally valid if the actions or threats of one or more other parties had an undue influence on the person executing the will. However, mere suspicion of undue influence is not enough. To invalidate a will on the grounds of undue influence the...
3 common reasons for contesting a will
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...