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A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can be an element in an effective financial plan or an estate plan. The expense will depend totally on the situation, and may not be nearly as large as you might think. The main factors influencing cost are your assets, the conditions to be set in the agreement, whether family members agree with the decision, and the follow-up steps you'll need to take after the agreement is drawn up.

A common misconception about prenuptial and postnuptial agreements is that they are only desired by wealthy, greedy individuals. Truthfully, many couples benefit from having such an agreement in place. A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is entered into before marriage. A postnup can be drawn up at any time during the marriage. Both act as an outline of how property and finances will be dealt with during your marriage and when the marriage ends, either by divorce or death.

Entering into a legal contract to lease property can be overwhelming, and you may be uncertain about what you are committing yourself to. Whether you are looking to sign a residential or commercial lease, having an attorney assist you can be beneficial and help alleviate your concerns. This is especially important for those signing commercial leases, as well as for individuals renting a residential property who are disabled or have a pet.

Blended family estate planning is necessary because inheritance where there is no Will is not the same as for a family where there is only one marriage and the children are all of that marriage. Step-children will not inherit the same as biological children, and your spouse will not inherit all of your estate if you have biological children from a previous relationship. You should always create a new Will or trust when you remarry, or consider getting a pre-nup beforehand to act as an estate planning tool.

In Texas, an individual who dies without a Will is said to have died intestate. As a result, their estate will be distributed according to the Texas Estates Code if payable on death or beneficiary arrangements have been made for their disposition. In some cases, Texas's intestate law provisions for the estate are not the same as what the individual wanted for their assets. The costs of the proceedings necessary to dispose of an intestate estate are also often much more expensive.

Setting up a Living Trust is the best way to ensure your assets are passed onto the right people if you pass away. To start the process, you will need to gather all pertinent information about your assets, choose your primary and secondary trustees, determine how you want the trust to operate after your passing, and finalize the trust agreement with the help of an attorney.

There are times when a Living Trust is a smart estate planning tool that can simplify or avoid probate, and save your family thousands of dollars. A Living Trust is not always a necessary part of an estate plan. However, if you own property in multiple states or counties, have beneficiaries who require special assistance or restrictions, or need special help in managing your assets, a Living Trust may be a good idea.

Guardianships are a complicated legal proceeding. Most people have no clue exactly how complicated and expensive they are. In some situations, however, a guardianship is required to manage the affairs of a loved one.

These are a few of the risks you may face if you choose an attorney who is incompetent, unethical, or simply the wrong fit for your needs. The biggest concerns will be cost, the quality of their work, their availability, and your peace of mind. If an attorney charges you well above reasonable rates, doesn't respond to your questions, or leaves you feeling confused or concerned about the probate process, don't be afraid to find a new attorney who will be a better fit for your situation.

Even well-meaning people can make mistakes, especially when overwhelmed with obligations and grief. When a loved one passes away, however, it is important that you don't wait too long to start the probate process, distribute their property before probate has finalized, contact their bank or retirement accounts too soon, forget to inform social security or pension, fail to maintain their property, or drive their vehicle. These common mistakes could end up causing more trouble and expense for you and your family in the long run.