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When you have numerous assets and multiple beneficiaries, contacting an estate planning lawyer is a necessity. After all, you want to ensure that your wishes are carried out exactly as you outline them. But what exactly should you look for when searching for an estate planning lawyer? Here are some important things to consider: Look For Someone Local When determining the future of your assets, your attorney should be close at-hand — rather than several counties away. Choose an estate planning attorney with a local office that you can visit when you want to chat face-to-face. This is especially important when you are first developing your plan and looking to avoid potential complications for your beneficiaries. Keep in mind that not all local estate planners are properly qualified. You should interview your options before making a final selection. Assess The Primary Focus Of An Attorney Law firms with a large…Read More

Marriage makes life easier in many ways. If one partner in a marriage becomes incapacitated, then the other spouse can make important healthcare and financial decisions for that person. If one spouse passes away, then any community property passes to the remaining spouse. Unmarried couples often do not have many of these rights. As a result, estate planning for unmarried couples is considerably different from estate planning for married partners. Note that Texas law does recognize common law marriage. If your relationship meets the standards of a common law marriage, then your estate planning needs to account for that. Protecting Your Real Estate There are several ways to pass real estate to an unmarried partner and help him or her avoid probate. One way is to consider naming your partner as a joint tenant. Joint tenancy ownership means that both parties own a piece of the property. When one partner…Read More

There are a variety of types of courts in Texas that have jurisdiction over different kinds of cases. In this article we will generally discuss the Texas court system and explain how probate courts fit within that structure. Austin probate lawyer Farren Sheehan is experienced in court settings and can assist with probate and other court proceedings in all courts in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville and Cedar Park. The Texas Court System The basic structure of the Texas court system was established by the Texas Constitution. In Texas, the highest state appellate court for civil matters is the Texas Supreme Court, and the Court of Criminal Appeals makes the final decisions in criminal matters. Below these highest courts there are 14 courts of appeals that exercise intermediate appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases. State trial courts of general jurisdiction are known as district courts. Each district court serves…Read More

Movie and comic book fans alike are grieving the passing of Marvel Comics former publisher and chairman, Stan Lee. The 95-year-old is known for co-creating superheroes like Captain America, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and Spider-Man. However, in his final years, Lee was plagued by financial issues that may put his estate in jeopardy. Here are some of the estate planning lessons we can learn from the comic book icon’s life. Who Do You Trust When It Comes To Financial And Estate Planning? In an interview with the Daily Beast, Lee admitted that he made some money management mistakes in the past. When he initially began making money, he tried to manage it himself, but soon learned he needed help. When he approached individuals for assistance, he allegedly misplaced that trust, which led to him parting ways with many business partners over the years. Lee’s experience teaches us that taking…Read More

When R&B legend Aretha Franklin died, her fans and music lovers around the world were wondering why her funeral was delayed for weeks. Unfortunately, Franklin did not leave a will, and her four sons were left to determine how her assets and property would be allocated. An important component of a will is to have an executor of a will that will help the process run a lot smoother. What Do I Need To Do If I’m Named An Executor Of A Will? If you have been named the executor of a deceased person’s estate, you will have a few responsibilities that a lot of people are unaware of. First, it’s important to know what an executor is, which is a person named in a will who will carry out the wishes of a deceased person. Responsibilities might include: Giving the will to probate Protecting the estate’s assets Distributing property…Read More

Have you prepared a living trust or a will? If not, then you are not alone. A Caring.com survey estimates that only 42 percent of American adults have put together their estate planning documents. This is pretty startling considering what can happen if your estate falls into probate. Take the case of famous Texas real estate magnate James Cotter for example. A Word Of Caution For The Future Of Your Estate It was January 25, 2017 when James Cotter passed away due to cardiac arrest—he was 83. Only a year before he passed, the man’s estate was estimated as being worth $288 million. Now, his family, his estate administrators and the probate court just aren’t sure what to make of his estate. Upon his death, Cotter reportedly had $181.7 million in debts, taxes and other liabilities. This should have left around $106 million to his descendants and heirs. But the…Read More

There is technically a standard agreement for commercial leases that is outlined by TAR (the Texas Association of Realtors), but if you draft a lease with your real estate attorney instead, it will give you much more leeway and allowance for detail. Your business is very likely to obtain significant agreements with your landlord, depending on how the commercial real estate market is doing. Many factors go into renting a commercial property, so there will be many factors involved in negotiating your lease. Here are some things you should try to negotiate with your landlord. Consider Rent And Rent Increases Before you lease your commercial property, consider the cost of rent. The cost of rent will fluctuate depending on the real estate market conditions and the location of your property. Depending on these factors, you will probably be able to negotiate the rental amount. Your lease should outline which terms…Read More

As a first-time homebuyer in Texas, the home buying process can seem terrifying and overwhelming. Buying a home is usually the first big purchase of a person’s life, so going into such a big and unknown process can be intimidating. However, if you go into the experience prepared, you’ll know exactly the steps to take and who to talk to. Here are some key preparation steps you or someone you know should follow when they are ready to buy their first home. Are You Financially Prepared? Before you make any big moves, it’s important to stop and get your finances in order first. Make sure you have enough cash for a down payment, any closing costs and other moving expenses. Next, hire a professional that will be with you every step of the way and can ensure that you close the deal. Get a real estate agent to help you…Read More

Death is an uncomfortable subject, but it’s an important one to talk about. It’s a given that everyone should have a legal document dictating the division of their assets upon death. But the question is, do you really need a will, or is there another option? There is – but it might not be for everyone. While most people think of a will as the document to distribute assets upon death, there are also living trusts. Only about 20 percent of Americans have living trusts. Should you? There are certain benefits of living trusts you might not find if you have a will. A living trust is a written legal document that allows you to place your assets in a trust that you can benefit from during your lifetime, but is then transferred to your designated beneficiaries upon death through your chosen representative, or successor trustee. Why consider a living…Read More