Retirement plans have for many decades now been a common benefit employers offer their employees. Many Wise County residents from different walks of life and lines of work will have some sort of retirement plan. While these are often 401(k)s or other plans with a set...
Decatur, Texas Family Law And Probate Blog
If you get divorced, can you still work together?
Small businesses have always been important to the American economy. Many of these are family-owned businesses, often run by a husband and wife. They may have gotten married earlier in life and then decided to start a business when it seemed financially viable. If...
What happens if you can’t find your mother’s will?
When a parent passes away not only do you have to deal with the tremendous grief of losing a parent, but you often have to deal with their estate. Many Decatur area residents have spent the time to create their estate plan which can make it easier for a family during...
Probate in Texas in the absence of a valid will
It is better to have a will than to not have one. A valid will is the best way to ensure that your property is distributed the way you wish, and it makes things much easier for your loved ones when they have your detailed and legally binding instructions....
Using a real property appraiser in a Texas divorce
As most Texans know, the state uses the community property approach to value and divide marital assets. An important step in using this approach is to properly and fairly value the marital estate. Many couples use the property valuation step to needlessly prolong the...
How do I conduct myself to aid an amicable divorce?
Divorce can be complicated, especially for those that have been married for decades. And, if one even has a passing interest in divorce headlines, the process seems like one big fight between two people that used to be in love. However, divorce does not have to be...
Why spending habits matter during divorce
The divorce process is not instantaneous. From the time that you tell your spouse that you'd like to get a divorce to the time when it is finalized, you may still technically be married for months. Many couples are no longer living together at this time, but they are...
An overview of guardianships in Texas
A guardianship allows a person, called a guardian, to make decisions for another person, called a ward, and is often put in place when the ward is incapacitated. This means that the ward has a physical or mental condition that limits his or her ability to provide for...
Grandparent custody and visitation in Texas
Grandparents in Texas may want to pursue formal custody or visitation with their grandchildren through the court. Sometimes, this is because the child’s parents are unable to care for the child or cannot provide him or her with a stable living environment. Pursuing...
Understanding the role of a personal representative
When a person creates a will, it’s important for him or her to choose a trustworthy personal representative. The personal representative is the person who is responsible for administering the estate. He or she must follow the terms of the will and has decision-making...