Probate disputes can tear families apart. Siblings who grew up together suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a courtroom. They fight over their parents’ estates for years. The emotional and financial toll can spiral out of control. Many families turn to mediation to resolve probate disputes. They hammer out settlement agreements intending to resolve...KEEP READING

Family partnerships often face transition challenges when a partner dies. The surviving partners may reach settlement agreements to resolve partnership interests, but what happens when one party later tries to back out based on claims about the partnership’s condition? Can Texas courts still enforce these agreements? The Eleventh Court of Appeals recently considered the enforceability...KEEP READING

The sudden loss of a loved one is one of life’s most painful experiences. When that loss is compounded by legal complexities around the decedent’s marital status and estate, the situation becomes even more stressful for the grieving family. This is the difficult reality at the heart of the Texas probate case In re Williams,...KEEP READING

Probate disputes often involve conflicting claims by family members. The claims can result from misunderstandings or even viewing the same facts from a different perspective. The claims can also come from outright theft and other wrongdoing. The outcome in these types of disputes can often come down to who has the burden of proof in...KEEP READING

Lady Bird Deeds are a popular estate planning tool in Texas that allow property owners to retain a life estate while transferring their property to a designated beneficiary upon death.  The key benefit is that they can be revoked if situations or desires change.  But what about joint Lady Bird Deeds executed by both spouses? ...KEEP READING

When you make a filing with the courts or enter an appearance, you are subjecting yourself to the rules of the court.  Litigation is a serious matter.  It has real-world consequences, like sanctions, which can be very serious. The courts have a number of laws and rules at their disposal to ensure that the parties...KEEP READING

The probate process involves settling the decedent’s financial obligations, paying debts and taxes, identifying and appraising assets, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries or heirs.  This is a multifaceted process that involves a careful balance of probate laws, family relationships, beneficiary interests, and executor responsibilities.  One particularly crucial aspect of the probate...KEEP READING