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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
Buying a Home with Someon…

Buying a Home with Someone Other than a Spouse? Be Mindful.

Rising housing costs, the desire for companionship, and the need to share resources are increasingly leading buyers to consider co-owning a home with someone other than a spouse, such as a friend, relative, or significant other. Although this arrange… Read More
Joint account (JTWROS) text in heart shape presented for active business education concept on paper slip background.

Why Joint Ownership (JTWROS) Should Not Necessarily Be the Go-To Plan for Newlyweds

If you recently married or have been married for a while and have acquired additional money or property (or plan to), you have options regarding how your assets can be owned. Although joint ownership seems easy and convenient, particularly when that… Read More
residuary beneficiaries after debts paid shown by a gift box with cash inside

Pros and Cons of Naming Many Residuary Beneficiaries in a Will or Trust

You have meticulously created your estate plan to ensure that it includes and addresses all of your most important assets (accounts and property). You have reviewed your asset list repeatedly, and everything seems to be accounted for. But what if you… Read More
Vintage key in a trust fund document chooes initial trustee

How to Choose the Initial Trustee of Your Trust

When you establish a trust, you nominate someone to be the initial trustee. If you are creating a revocable living trust, you will likely be the initial trustee. You will also want to name successors or backup trustees to step in and manage the trust… Read More
Deed To A House to use for joint owners as JTWROS

Caution: Using a DIY Deed to Create Joint Owners and Avoid Probate Can Lead to Unintended Consequences

One common way to avoid the probate requirement for real estate after the owner dies is to add children or other individuals to the property title as joint owners with rights of survivorship. When joint owners have survivorship rights and one joint o… Read More
legal divorce paper documents with pen closeup related to divorce and estate planning

Shannen Doherty Understood That With Divorce, Timing Is Everything in Estate Planning

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, there were more than 670,000 divorces[1] and more than 2 million marriages in 2022. Divorce is a common life event that many Americans face during their lifetime. But the effect of div… Read More
Pearl necklace, class ring, embroidered hankerchief

What to Do with Grandma’s Ring: Dividing Personal Property in an Estate

If you have a beloved late grandmother, many images and memories may come to mind when you reminisce about her.You might picture her at her home or at the family vacation house during the holidays. Your memory could be a special meal that only she pr… Read More
List of fiduciary duties on paper on desk

Choosing a Fiduciary: How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent under a Power of Attorney

While the term fiduciary is a legal term with a rich history, it generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interest. Trustees, executors, and agents are examples of fiduciaries. When you are choosing a fiducia… Read More