Even though more people are being vaccinated, the COVID-19 Delta variants are continuing to spread. Don’t allow the increasing vaccinations along with the lower positivity rate for the virus be a reason to let your guard down. This recent COVID-19 data is a eye-opening example on how fast the positivity rate can rise. After months…Continue...KEEP READING

It is common to see family members reach an informal agreement as to how to handle the estate when a family member dies. These informal agreements often lead to disputes and end up in probate litigation. This is especially true when it comes to real estate. Family members may put off dealing with real estate.…Continue...KEEP READING

On Tuesday of this week, an anonymous San Antonio resident won $1 Million on a scratch off lottery ticket purchased at a local convenience store. To learn more about the prize and statistics of winning these kinds of prizes, visit this KENS5 article.  If you won the lottery today, what would you do with the…Continue...KEEP READING

As the world around us increasingly returns to “normal”, many people assume that we have put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. Unfortunately, that is not necessarily the case. With the new Delta variant, it is important to remember that this virus must be taken seriously. Although vaccine availability is higher than ever, Bexar County is…Continue...KEEP READING

What if a loved one executes a will based on a faulty assumption? What if you can prove the error? For example, what if a loved one fails to include a family member in their will because they mistakenly believe that family member is already provided for outside of the will? Can the omitted family...KEEP READING

What do you do if you lost the original copy of a Will or you cannot find the original?  What if you can find a copy of the Will?  Can you probate a copy of the Will?  If you can probate a copy of the Will, how do you go about probating a copy of…Continue...KEEP READING

It is generally common knowledge that, in America, citizens have the right to represent themselves in court. So if you are an executor for a will, it makes sense to think that you might not need to hire an attorney. However, this is not necessarily true. When probating a will, the estate and the executor…Continue...KEEP READING

Muniment of title is an alternative to the probate process in Texas. It is cost-efficient.  It is fast–relatively speaking. A Will is required. Instead of appointing you as the executor, the probate court enters an order distributing property according to the Will. And walla! But what if the story does not end there? What if…Continue...KEEP READING

The beneficiaries and heirs of a probate estate are not stuck with the distributions set out in the decedent’s will or by Texas intestacy laws. The beneficiaries and heirs can agree among themselves to some other distribution scheme. This usually involves negotiating and recording the agreement in a family settlement agreement. A carefully drafted settlement…Continue...KEEP READING

Our Texas probate laws provide for independent administrations. The term “independent administration” means a probate that has very little court supervision or involvement. The “independent executor” is left to themselves to know and follow the law. This is why many executors prefer to serve as dependent administrators. They prefer having the court make the difficult…Continue...KEEP READING