blog & insights

3 Simple Ways to Avoid Probate Costs

Posted in

The bad news: probated estates are subject to a variety of costs from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, courts, and state law. Depending on the probate’s complexity, fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars. The good news: probate costs can be reduced by avoiding probate. It’s really that simple. Here are three simple ways…

Read More

Caution: Creditors Now Have Easy Access to Inherited IRAs

Posted in

Do you have IRAs or other retirement accounts that you plan to leave to your loved ones? If so, proceed with caution. Most people don’t know the law has changed: inherited retirement accounts no longer have asset protection, meaning they can be seized by strangers. How Can Inherited IRAs Be Protected? Enter the Standalone Retirement…

Read More

5 Tragic Mistakes People Make When Leaving Assets to Their Pets

Posted in

A pet trust is an excellent way to make sure your beloved pet will receive proper care after you pass on. The problem, of course, is that you won’t actually be there to see that your wishes are carried out. It’s critical to set up a pet trust correctly to ensure there are no loopholes…

Read More

How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent Under a Power of Attorney

Posted in

While the term fiduciary is a legal term with a long history, it very generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interests. Trustees, executors, and agents are all examples of fiduciaries. When you pick trustees, executors, and agents in your estate plan, you’re picking one or more people to…

Read More

Legislative Update

Posted in

Laws Affecting Tenants are Changing September 1st, 2019 Important updates are coming in Texas tenant law on September 1, 2019, that you should be aware of if you are a renter in the Lone Star State. Section 92.011 of the Texas Property Code has, been amended as you can see, in part, below. We’ve included…

Read More