Articles

Two children and two teenagers with the savings for unequal inheritance

Does Treating Your Children Fairly Mean Unequal Inheritances?

When thinking through their estate plan and how they want their assets (money and property) managed after they pass away, most parents wish to treat their children equally, often out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what… Read More
Legacy written on a wooden cube in front of a laptop to show avoiding a will contest

Four Tips to Avoid a Will Contest

Fighting over provisions in your will or trust can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your financial legacy, and tear your loved ones apart. However, with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a will contest and potentially a disastr… Read More
minimalist estate planning

Minimalism May Be Great for Your Stuff and Finances but Not for Your Estate Planning

Minimalism is a hot topic these days, but a minimalist “less is more” mindset for estate planning can leave you and your loved ones unprotected. An estate plan is one area of your life where you should lean into chaos and assert control, not by r… Read More
Image man and woman with gavel representing divorce and need for new estate planning

Your Divorce Decree: The First Step in Estate Planning

You and your spouse have recently divorced, and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel that you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney… Read More
Sticky notes with different names written on them showing importance of legal name for estate planning

What’s Your Name? Ensure That Your Estate Planning Attorney Knows Your Legal Name—and any Others

What is in a name? When you are setting up your estate plan or if you are a beneficiary—or a creditor—of an estate, your name means a great deal. For McCreary Law Office, we strive to make sure we have the legal name for any clients or beneficiar… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
3D illustration of

Want to Disinherit Someone? This Is What You Need to Know

Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate after your death—is more common than you might think. It is also easier than you might think to disinherit a loved one, wit… Read More
Austin, TX--Cowboy memorial statue may artist Constance Whitney Warren established in 1952 sitting in front of the Texas capitol building downtown Austin. Texas Capitol Demonstrating unclaimed property and escheat to the state

Do Not Let Your Money and Property Go to the State: Why You Need an Estate Plan so any Unclaimed Property Does Not Escheat

Americans tend to bristle when any level of the government meddles in their private lives, especially with their money. Look no further than the famous “death and taxes” quote for a sense of how Americans feel about bureaucratic creep and governm… Read More
Fish bowl over piggy bank symbolizing asset protection

Three Asset Protection Tips You Can Use Now

A common misconception is that only wealthy individuals and people in high-risk professions, such as doctors or lawyers, need an asset protection plan. However, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tena… Read More
Uncle playing video game with nephews for article about why corporate trustee might be better.

Five Reasons Uncle Bill May Not Make a Good Trustee (and Maybe a Corporate Trustee is a Better Choice)

If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring the trust’s longevity and ultimate success. Initially, you may think that a family member (for example, Uncle Bill to your children,… Read More
Black graduation cap and tassle on top of wooden building blocks

How an Inheritance Can Help with Loved Ones' Educational Costs

A primary goal of estate planning is to provide financially for your loved ones. One way to ensure they are set up for lifelong success is to create an estate plan that allows an inheritance to help with your loved ones’ educational costs. High… Read More