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Today, there are many ways you can go about getting a Will. To ensure your Will accomplishes your wishes while also avoiding the greatest expense and complications, you should consult with an experienced estate planning attorney. This is always the best way to draw up a Will. Online and DIY options often come with unexpected risks. You should draw up your Will as soon as possible and revise it whenever you experience certain life events, such as marriage, having a new child, opening a new bank account, or purchasing new property.

While not everyone needs a Will, it's wise to explore whether it would be a smart investment for you and your family's future. A few benefits of drawing up a Will include choosing how your estate will be distributed, selecting a guardian for minor children, and providing for step-children or other beneficiaries. An attorney will explore with you whether the assets you own can be passed down without a Will or whether having a Will is really key to simple passage of title to assets on your death.

People frequently delay having a will drawn up because of concern for the cost. The cost of preparing an estate plan package is very reasonable. A standard "Mom and Pop" Will without other detailed provisions generally ranges from about $500 to $750 per person. Compared to the expense you would be out to handle your estate without a Will or other estate planning documents, it is a bargain.

A Will is a key part of an estate plan to make provisions for who receives the property you own on your death, who will be in charge of distributing the property, and who you would like to serve as guardian and trustee if you have minor beneficiaries. Without a Will, the cost of applying Texas Law of Intestacy will be much higher for your family, and your estate may be distributed in ways that don't align with your wishes.

If you are considering starting a small business, you're most likely trying to sort out the different types of businesses and trying to decide which type is best for you. There are 6 entity types in Texas: sole proprietorships, corporations, s-corporations, limited liability companies, professional corporations, and partnerships. The right type for your situation will depend on your taxes, liability, and ability to control the profits and losses of the business.

Most young parents don't want to even think about the possibility of death and see no need for estate planning. However, if a tragedy struck and both parents of minor children were killed, the situation left for their loved ones to deal with is extremely complicated, expensive, and emotional.

The holidays are a perfect time, while family and friends are gathered together (safely distanced, of course), to discuss whether your loved ones' estate planning and related legal matters are in order. It is an emotional subject to approach, but it is much better to be brave and tackle the subject than to avoid the discussion. Later regrets that plans which should have been made were not, will leave you with an even harder situation to deal with.

In this series of blogs, I am outlining various different types of probates or probate alternatives to settle an estate and their likely costs. As I mentioned in the introduction to this series, the cost is predominantly determined by the type of procedure followed.

In this series of blogs, I am outlining various types of probates or probate alternatives to settle an estate and their likely costs. As I mentioned in the introduction to this series, the cost is predominantly determined by the type of procedure followed.

In some situations where a loved one passes away without a Will, you may need a determination of heirship in order to pass on their estate. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you have an experienced attorney to guide you through the steps involved. Otherwise, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the process.