As an estate planning attorney in Texas, my clients often ask about trusts. One morning, Harris, a long-time client, called me after years of delay, ready to finally put his estate plan in order. He was curious about whether he should put his house in a trust. In his late 50s, Harris had a nice … [Read more...]

Crafting a comprehensive estate plan involves numerous crucial decisions. One question that often surfaces is, "does a will override a trust?" This inquiry arises because both wills and trusts serve as legal tools for guiding the distribution of assets after one's passing. However, they operate … [Read more...]

The Cycle Continues Your adult children — one of the first generations to benefit from Section 529 plans — are saving for their kids’ college educations through 529 accounts of their own. Did you know that parents aren’t the only ones who can establish 529 plan accounts? As a grandparent, you can … [Read more...]

The Importance of Keeping Beneficiary Designations Updated: A Lesson from the Rolison Estate Case When it comes to estate planning, one of the most overlooked but critically important tasks is ensuring that your beneficiary designations are up to date. A recent case involving Procter & Gamble … [Read more...]

Planning for Mineral Rights in Estate Planning Properly planning for mineral rights is a critical component of estate planning, especially for landowners with significant mineral resources. These rights can greatly influence the value and management of an estate, making it essential to protect and … [Read more...]

Tax Relief and the Uncertain Fate of the Estate Tax and Lifetime Gifts Exemption In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) introduced various forms of tax relief, including a significant increase in the Estate Tax and Lifetime Gifts Exemption (Exemption). However, these tax cuts are set to expire … [Read more...]

Remarriage and blended families are becoming increasingly common, especially here in Texas and across the United States. If you are considering remarriage, or already have a blended family, it is essential to have a comprehensive estate plan in place to protect the interests of all your loved … [Read more...]

Inheritance planning is a critical task that ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes after your passing. However, it’s easy to fall into traps that could complicate or even undermine your intentions. Avoiding these common estate planning pitfalls is key to creating a … [Read more...]