When a loved one passes away, it can be a difficult and overwhelming time for surviving family members. One of the tasks that often needs to be addressed is the distribution of the decedent’s assets. In Texas, if a person dies with a will, the will must be probated in order for the assets to...KEEP READING

Probate law can be a complex and daunting process, especially when it comes to distributing the assets of a deceased person. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at a case study involving Texas probate law, and the specific challenges that arise when a will is overwritten by a codicil. We will...KEEP READING

Jurisdiction and venue are two important concepts in the field of probate law, and they are particularly relevant to the probate courts of Texas. In this article, we will take a closer look at what these terms mean, and how they affect the probate process in Texas. Jurisdiction Jurisdiction refers to the authority of a...KEEP READING

When someone passes away, it is important to determine whether they had a valid will in place. This can be accomplished through a careful search for the document. If a will is located, it will guide the distribution of the decedent’s assets in accordance with their wishes. If no will is found, it may be...KEEP READING

Section 101 of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides that the proceeds from a life insurance policy are generally tax-free to the recipient if the recipient is the beneficiary of the policy and is receiving the proceeds as a result of the death of the insured. There are some exceptions to this general rule. For...KEEP READING

The IRS has announced that it will be increasing the estate and gift tax exclusions for 2023. This means that more money can be passed on to heirs without being subject to taxes. For those who are planning their estates, this is good news. However, it also means that more people will be subject to...KEEP READING

Probating a will is the process of proving the validity of a will in court. It is generally required when someone dies with assets in their name that need to be transferred to beneficiaries. The probate process can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side. If you are...KEEP READING

After someone dies, their bank accounts, financial assets, and mortgage information do not automatically go to the next of kin. In Texas, the process for getting this information is not as straightforward as one might think. In this blog post, we will explore how to get bank, financial, and mortgage information in Texas after someone...KEEP READING

A will is a legal document that names how a person’s property will be distributed after their death. In order for a will to be valid, the person must have what is called “testamentary capacity.” This means that they must understand the nature and extent of their property, and must be able to identify the...KEEP READING

Dealing with the death of a loved one is an incredibly emotional time. Because it is so sensitive, there are legal remedies that allow members of a decedent’s family to recover for monetary damages if matters are not dealt with properly. One of the remedies is for negligent infliction of mental anguish. What is this?...KEEP READING