Buying a new property can be one of the most exciting events of one’s adult life. You’re ready to move forward and take on ownership of a new home, ranch, or wooded plot. But what about the legal aspects of transferring real estate? How can you be sure that crucial documents, such as deeds, are handled correctly? Real estate legal documents can be incredibly complex, and the responsibilities that come with owning property are considerable. Since 1997, deed law attorney Farren Sheehan has helped Pflugerville, Texas families just like yours avoid critical (yet common) mistakes as they execute general property deeds. What are these frequent mistakes, and how can an experienced property deed lawyer help you prevent them? Mistake # 1 : Omitting Key Names Or Ownership Information Details always matter, and nowhere is this more true than in legal documents. Because a deed is used to transfer property between…Read More
In this article, you can discover… How to pick the best life insurance policies as a same-sex couple. The best ways to protect insurance benefits for your same-sex partner in Texas. How an attorney can help you through the emotional aspects of estate planning with care. What Life Insurance Policies Are Best For Same-Sex Couples? Life insurance is a non-probate asset, so it will pass based on who is listed as the beneficiary. The best move is to ensure that your spouse is listed by their name and contact your insurance company to confirm that your spouse will remain the beneficiary even if the marriage is involuntarily voided due to changes in Texas law. How Do I Ensure That My Life Insurance Is Recognized Legally For My Partner’s Benefit In Texas? The best way to ensure that your life insurance will benefit your partner is to specifically identify them as…Read More
In this article, you can discover… The importance of choosing the right executor for same-sex couples and their estates. How to make it more difficult for family members to contest your will. How to choose an executor who is responsible and capable of handling tension. Why Is It Important To Choose The Right Executor For My Will? Choosing your executor means that you are trusting them to carry out your wishes when you pass. An executor is legally required to put the interests of any beneficiaries before their own, but this is not always the case. To be sure your wishes are respected, it is important to select an executor who you trust to both understand your intentions and carry them out on your behalf. What Qualities Should I Look For When Selecting An Executor? Most people select family members to serve as executors, which is wonderful if your family…Read More
Probate procedures fall into that uniquely painful category of both emotionally heavy and bureaucratically dense processes. You should not have to go through them alone, but you might be having some trouble picking the right attorney to help you through it. This article will help you make an informed decision by explaining When you need to bring an attorney (and when you might want to bring one even when you don’t). Which questions and information your attorney should ask. The risks of going through probate without a lawyer in Texas. What Is Our Experience Handling Probate Cases In Travis County? For context, I have been specializing in probate since 2004. I have done countless probate administrations and conflict litigations. We have done everything from simple will probates to complicated airship situations. What Do I Need To Bring To The Initial Consultation With An Attorney? The most important thing to bring…Read More
In this article, you can discover… How to legally plan for the possible repeal of same-sex marriage in Texas. The forms and documents you’ll need to protect your estate plans. How to navigate power of attorney matters in light of a possible repeal. What Risks Are Associated With Failing To Plan For The Potential Repeal Of Same-Sex Marriage In Texas? One of the largest risks of failing to create an estate plan is losing the rights associated with your spousal relationship. In other words, your spouse is entitled to certain inheritance rights as long as your marriage is recognized. However, these rights would be wiped out if the marriage were legally voided. What Forms Or Documents Could Be Helpful For Same-Sex Couples Looking To Protect Their Estate Plans? Just as important as having an estate plan is setting up specific disability documents that can allow a spouse to transact business…Read More
Selling a house is tough enough, emotionally and practically, without worrying about the buyer’s perspective. Nevertheless, Texas law requires you to do so by providing a seller’s disclosure before the sale. This article explains what the seller’s disclosure is, and how it works, including: What must be disclosed when selling property in Texas, and what happens when you do not. The exceptions to seller disclosure obligations. An example of the kind of disputes that can arise over a failure to disclose something. What Is A Seller's Disclosure? Texas law requires that when you sell a home or a residential property, you provide a seller's disclosure. While it does not have to follow a standard format, we can provide a notice form that has everything that is legally required, which can make it easier to do so correctly. The disclosure gives potential buyers a snapshot of the current condition of the…Read More
In this article, you can discover… How the repeal of same-sex marriage could impact your estate planning. The differences a repeal could make in estate taxation. How an attorney can help you navigate a repeal and secure your estate. How Could Existing Estate Plans Be Affected By The Repeal Of Same-Sex Marriage? President Biden passed the Respect for Marriage Act in December 2022, mandating all states to recognize and treat same-sex marriages the same way they would with any other marriage. This ruling can only be changed if it is overturned in court, and there are currently no cases against the court. With that said, many of the things that have been said during the election cycle have caused quite a bit of concern in the LGBT community about the fate of their relationships. While these concerns are valid and warranted, the best defense is to be properly prepared for…Read More
Estate planning often gets misrepresented in movies and media, seen as the domain of ultra-rich or old-money families. But the truth is much more complex and nuanced. Nearly every family can benefit from at least some form of estate planning. And this is only the first of several incorrect assumptions and myths that need to be corrected, as this article shall explain, including. Why you need to do at least some estate planning even if you are still in your 20s or 30s. Why you still need a will and other estate planning documents even if you are married with kids. One surprising common Texas myth about estate planning and probate. Myth #1 - Estate Planning Is Only For The Wealthy False. Anyone who has assets needs to plan. In my time as an estate planning and probate attorney in Texas, I have seen bigger fights over $10,000 estates than…Read More
As any pet owner can tell you, few companions are as loyal or as beloved as our four-legged or feathered friends. But loyalty should go both ways, too, and caring for our pets after we pass is just as important as doing so while we are alive. This article explains how to include your pet in your estate plan in Texas, including Why it is important to include your pet in your estate plan. What a pet trust is, and how it works to protect your pets after you pass. Some challenges for pet owners and options for leaving assets for their care. Why Is It Important To Include Pets In Your Estate Plan? Under the law, pets are simple property, just like your books, your computers or your cars. As a result, without your intervention, they simply pass with your estate. Unfortunately, that does not mean that they will…Read More
In this article, you can discover… The function of probate letters in estate planning. The difference between probate letters and letters of administration. Whether probate letters can be contested. What Are Probate Letters? A probate letter, also known as a “letter of testamentary,” is sent out when a person’s will has been admitted to probate, and someone has been named within that will to execute the probate process. The letter certifies from a court that the person named as executor has the legal authority to handle the estate of the person who has passed away. In some cases, this person is a beneficiary themselves, such as a child of the person who has passed away. As executor, they legally act on behalf of the decedent, executing their will and distributing assets according to that person’s wishes. What Is The Difference Between Probate Letters And Letters Of Administration? Both letters of…Read More
