We all know that creditors can be a nuisance when someone dies owing them money. But what you may not know is that, in Texas, there are specific laws regarding how to handle a decedent’s creditors. If you’re the executor of an estate in Texas, it’s important to understand your obligations when it comes to...KEEP READING

When a person dies, their property must go through a process called probate. Probate is the legal process of distributing a deceased person’s property. The court will appoint an executor to oversee the probate process and distribute the deceased person’s assets according to their will or, if they didn’t have a will, according to Texas...KEEP READING

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...KEEP READING

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...KEEP READING

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...KEEP READING

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,...KEEP READING

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...KEEP READING

Introduction If you’re considering adopting a child in Texas, you may be wondering if that child will be considered a descendant of your will. The answer to that question depends on a few different factors. In this blog post, we’ll explore the definition of a “descendant” in Texas and how it applies to adopted children....KEEP READING

Introduction If you’re considering a will in Texas, you might be wondering about the signature requirements. Can a signature be on a different page than the will itself? In this blog post, we’ll explore this question and what you need to know if you’re considering a will in Texas. Last will and testament Texas In...KEEP READING

Introduction: Texas guardianship laws A guardianship is a court-ordered arrangement in which one person (the “guardian”) is given legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person (the “ward”). There are two types of guardianships in Texas: 1. Full guardianship – The guardian has authority to make all decisions regarding the ward’s care, including...KEEP READING