There is no one-size-fits-all approach to probating an estate here in Texas. But there are two options — a dependent or independent administration. Both have their pros and cons. The primary difference between these two administration approaches is how much oversight...
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Welcome to our Houston and Midland, Texas Family Law, Estate Planning Blog
5 reasons to change the executor of your estate plan
You became a parent, and such a joyful event also signifies it is time to update your estate plan. Previously, you had a will in place, and you understand that you need to make some changes to this legal document. In updating your will, you plan revisions across the...
The risks of challenging an estate plan or will in Texas
Most of the time, when someone dies, estate administration is straightforward. While it may take a lot of effort and involve delays, the executor will follow the instructions left behind by the testator, the family members will receive their share of the estate and...
Consider meditation in a high asset divorce
If you accrued your wealth through the oil or gas industries, dividing your assets will be challenging. When the stakes are high, divorce can soon turn bitter. You can find yourself squabbling over assets. While you do not get rich by rolling over and letting someone...
If your tenant won’t leave, it may be time to evict them
If you have a tenant who isn’t holding up their end of your leasing agreement, you may have reached a point where you have to move to evict them. Evictions tend to be necessary when you want to remove a tenant from a property but they refuse to go on their own. It is...
If your business grew during your marriage, does your spouse have a right to those assets?
When you and your spouse got married when you had a small, start-up business. You didn’t get a valuation done at the time, but you were making about $100,000 per year. Things changed over the ensuing years. Your business grew to the point where you now bring in...
What do you do about child support when you can’t pay your bills?
You’ve never minded paying your child support, and you’ve always been on time. Lately, however, the economic climate hasn’t been kind to your business. When the first of the month rolls around, you can’t afford to pay both your child support and your regular bills....
You feel it’s time to remove your trustee from their role. Can you?
The role of a trustee or the person who administers a trust that you set up is to carry out your wishes as per your instructions both while you're alive and then once you pass away. There are instances in which trustees fail to uphold their fiduciary obligations,...
Why you shouldn’t keep your divorce a complete secret at work
If you and your spouse are divorcing, it’s going to impact your work life at some point. Whether you go in to an office or other workplace regularly or you work at home, you’ll need to tell the necessary people about your divorce. So whom do you tell and how much do...
Can I keep the house after the divorce?
The family home is a valuable asset in many ways. It carries an emotional value with all of the memories made there, but also a considerable financial value. The incalculable combination of these factors makes it clear that a house is a large investment. That is one...