Probate is the legal process of distributing a person’s assets after they die. In Texas, if a person dies without a will, their assets will go through probate court. The court will appoint an executor to oversee the estate and distribute the assets to the heirs according to state law. One of the questions that […]
If you live in Texas, you may have heard of the anti-lapse statute. This law is designed to protect the property rights of beneficiaries who are named in a will. Under the statute, if a beneficiary dies before the will-maker, their interest in the estate will not lapse. Instead, their interest will go to their […]
Have you ever wondered if someone can inherit from an estate if they kill their spouse? This is what is commonly called the “Slayer Rule”. In this blog post, we will explore the realities of the law in Texas. What is a will? In Texas, a will is a legal document that outlines how you […]
Introduction: Probate Process under Texas Law When a person dies, their assets must go through the probate process before they can be distributed to their beneficiaries. The probate process is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after their death. If the deceased person had a will, the probate court will use that document […]
Introduction In Texas, a power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf. This can be for financial or medical decisions, and is often used if the person named in the POA is unable to make decisions for themselves. But what happens to a POA […]
Introduction A living trust is a legal arrangement in which you, the grantor, transfer property to a trustee. The trustee then manages the property for the benefit of a named beneficiary or beneficiaries. Living trusts are created during the grantor’s lifetime and can be revocable or irrevocable. Texas has specific laws governing living trusts, so […]
Introduction When it comes to proving that a decedent lived in a specific county in Texas, there are a few things you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to gather any and all documentation that would show where the decedent resided at the time of their death. This could include things like a lease agreement, […]
Introduction The process of probate can be a long and complicated one, especially if the estate in question is large. But what if the estate is small? In Texas, there is a process known as a small estate affidavit that can be used in these cases. In this blog post, we will walk you through […]
Introduction: Legal requirements Can making an “X” on a signature line in a will validate the document? The simple answer is: maybe. In Texas, a will must be in writing and signed by the testator (the person making the will) in order to be valid. However, there is no specific requirement as to how the […]
Introduction Proving the adopted status of a family member in Texas can be difficult if you don’t have the right documentation. Learn what you need to know in this blog post. The Importance of Proving Adopted Status When an individual in Texas wants to adopt a family member, they must first prove their status as […]
