It can always be difficult when a loved one dies. Not only do close relatives have to go through the emotions and grief of the situation but they also start to worry about the legal issues that need to be resolved in the aftermath of the death of their loved one. And,...
Decatur Family Law and Probate Attorney
5 tactics car insurance companies use to reduce payouts
There is nothing quite as surprising as finding out that you’re the executor of an estate and did not know you were going to be. It can be difficult to understand what to do or what your obligations really are. As the executor of an estate, you have several...
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....
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...
In life, be like Tony Hsieh, but not in death
Most of us know Tony Hsieh for his groundbreaking company, Zappos. And, we all received the news in Nov. 2020 of his sudden passing, right before his 48th birthday. Though, it came as a shock to everyone that he passed without an estate plan of any kind. A life well...
How are assets in other states handled during probate?
The probate and estate administration process can be challenging enough to navigate as is. But the matter can become even more complicated when the deceased individual left behind extensive assets located in various geographical locations. As the estate administrator,...
Three ways to avoid probate
Administering a loved one’s estate is challenging. Coping with their death while trying to honor their wishes and comply with the law can be overwhelming. The process is all the more cumbersome if the estate ends up in probate court. Probate court can prolong the time...
Signs that the fiduciary duty has been breached
Losing a loved one is never easy. While you try to find a way to cope with the emotional realities of the situation, you might also have very real financial concerns if you were mentioned in your loved one’s estate plan. After all, how those finances are managed is...
What are reasons to challenge a will?
There are few guarantees in life for people in Texas. One of the few guarantees is something that people generally want to push off as long as they can though. That guarantee is that everyone will pass away at some point in time. While it may be something that people...