It may not come as much of a surprise that family members contesting a will is quite common. Even if you try hard to eliminate the chance of family disputes, you may not be completely successful. However, you can take steps to avoid family squabbles over inheritance if you understand some of the common reasons… Read more »
While an estate plan helps to protect your assets from taxes and creditors and allows you to control how your property will be distributed, a business succession plan can help you make sure that your business will be protected and management will be transferred to the individuals you choose after you retire, or upon your… Read more »
For veterans in Texas, there are many special benefits available, including Property Tax Exemptions, State Retirement Benefits, Veterans Home Improvement Loan Program, and Veterans Employment Preference, just to name a few. Eligibility for some VA benefits depends on factors such as residency, military component and Veteran disability status. Those with the highest preference in some… Read more »
It is never too late to start working on your retirement planning. You shouldn’t make the mistake of relying solely on your Social Security benefits to provide for a comfortable retirement. Instead, be proactive and create your comprehensive retirement plan now so that you can truly enjoy your retirement. Individual Retirement Accounts are an easy… Read more »
One of the primary estate planning concerns for most clients is estate taxes. Indeed, for most people, the main goal of their estate plan is to reduce or eliminate Texas estate tax, if at all possible. The federal estate tax rate is 40%, however, there is an estate tax exemption available. While Texas no longer… Read more »
Having an estate plan is important for you and your family because it gives you the chance to decide now how you want your property distributed after your death. It also allows you to engage in incapacity planning, when your family will need the power to act on your behalf when you are unable to… Read more »
When it comes time to plan for death or incapacity, estate planning is vital. There are various estate planning tools, including wills and trusts, which are available to help create the comprehensive estate plan you need. Planning for your future and the future of your family is important, as it allows you to determine who… Read more »
Trusts are fundamentally agreements based on the trust and confidence between the trustee and the grantor, who is the person making the trust. The trust agreement authorizes the trustee to administer the trust assets and distribute them to the beneficiaries named in the trust, according to the terms of the trust document. A spendthrift trust… Read more »
On Labor Day this year, a 17-year-old was involved in a fatal car accident in Dallas County, after speeding through an intersection at 87 miles per hour. She has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following the death of the couple whose vehicle she struck. The couple’s teenaged daughter survived the wreck. … Read more »
Estate planning is not an end goal, but more of a process. It involves evaluating your current situation, desires, and options, and creating legal tools that will help protect your choices. Because each of these variables change over time, so too will your estate plan have to change. Fortunately, once you have the right plan… Read more »
