One important aspect of probate is identifying and locating the heirs the will names or, if no will exists, the heirs by Texas law. However, what happens when the executor or estate administrator cannot locate the legal heirs of an estate going through probate. It...

After a loved one dies, there may be many reasons for wanting the probate process to end quickly. Perhaps you already have a buyer for the deceased’s house, and you need the estate to close so you can complete the transaction. Maybe you have financial reasons for...

The definition and understanding of the word “family” has undeniably changed in recent years. What was once considered a traditional family of a married mom and dad and their children living in a single home now makes up less than 20% of households. With this complex...

Estate planning carries many myths and misconceptions, but it comes down to very personal choices. Some parents believe they must leave equal inheritances for all their children, but this is not true. For example, parents who gift one child money for a down payment on...

Writing a will may be something you don’t think about unless you have a brush with death. You may think you will deal with your will later, when you are closer to the end of your life and the thought of death won’t feel so morbid. If these are your thoughts, you may...

Giving someone else control over one’s finances and health care decisions through a power of attorney designation may seem unthinkable to some. They may have heard stories of people whose agents took advantage of them and left them alone and struggling. However, many...

The sad fact is that most people in Texas do not have a will in place when they die. Without a will or other estate planning instrument, many of those estates are left to the mercy of probate court. The court will typically distribute the assets based on next-of-kin...

Parents of children with special needs usually understand how much their children depend on them. Whether your child was born with a disabling condition or acquired it through illness or an accident, you likely spend much of your time and energy protecting and...

Some of the most important things to do are also the most difficult. Estate planning is one of those important things, but many in Texas find it too difficult. It may be because they do not know where to begin or because they cannot bring themselves to think about...

For those who have never lost a loved one, going through the Texas probate process for the first time can seem endless. Surviving family members often just want closure, which may include selling property, dividing mementos and claiming their share of the estate. Even...