Estate Planning

What Assets are Part of My Estate?

Plenty of federal and state entities have given legal meaning to the words “estate” and “assets,” but in order to keep things as uncomplicated as possible here, we’ll boil it down to their practical definitions. Your estate Simply put, your estate is comprised of all your assets at the time you pass away. So that would include all your real property, like your primary residence and any vacation homes, and all your personal property, like household items, cars, jewelry, and collectibles. Also included […]

Selecting the Right Fiduciaries

An objective of many estate plans is to provide a smooth transition for loved ones. The effectiveness of your plan in accomplishing that goal depends on a few key people or entities you select to handle your affairs in your absence. Your estate planning documents create these roles, and the people you select to fill them are known as fiduciaries. What are the types of fiduciaries? Generally speaking, there are four types of fiduciaries in your estate plan – executor, guardian, agent, and […]

Are Spoken Wills Valid in Texas?

You’ve probably seen a movie or read a book where the protagonist is in the last minutes or seconds of their life, and they whisper instructions as to who they want their prized collectibles or precious mementos to go to after they’re gone. In novels and movies, this may seem like a perfectly legitimate way to make your testamentary wishes known, but would these last words constitute a valid will in the real world? Up until 2007 in Texas, the answer would have […]

10 Essential Parts of a Will

A will is a tried and true estate planning tool that enables you to, among other things, distribute your assets and protect your legacy. And although every will is different, each should have the following ten features to provide a seamless transition for loved ones and ensure the will’s validity and effectiveness. Heading, marital history, and children – The first section of your will should include your full name, county of residence, and a declaration that you intend for the document to be […]

Can I Handwrite My Own Will in Texas?

Most states, including Texas, recognize handwritten (or “holographic”) wills as valid. As you might expect, there are pros and cons to writing your own will. Holographic wills don’t have to be signed by a witness or notarized, and they can be drafted without the help of an attorney. On the downside, they can be attacked more easily than formal or self-proven wills. For example, probating a handwritten will requires someone you know testifying that the will is actually in your handwriting. If someone […]

RESOURCES

What Assets are Part of My Estate?

Selecting the Right Fiduciaries

Are Spoken Wills Valid in Texas?

10 Essential Parts of a Will

Can I Handwrite My Own Will in Texas?

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