The IRS administrative function plays a critical role in our tax administration system. The appeals process settles a majority of all tax disputes. It does so using processes and procedures that have developed over many years. To the uninitiated who have not experienced the IRS appeals process, the process can be confusing and, unfortunately, the……
TX-LW Blogs
Does the Rule for a Bill of Review Have to be Followed Exactly?
Law terms Texas Probate Code Ann., Rule 31 [now Texas Estates Code]: Any person interested may, by a bill of review filed in the court in which the probate proceedings were had, have any decision, order, or judgment rendered by the court, or by the judge thereof, revised and corrected on showing error therein; but…
What is a request to transfer a structured settlement in Texas?
A structured settlement is a type of annuity that is typically used to resolve personal injury claims. In Texas, if you have reached a settlement in your personal injury case, you may be able to transfer your structured settlement payments to another party. This process is known as a “request for transfer.” What is a…
Can You Make a Texas Affidavit Based on Belief Alone?
In Texas, it is not possible to make an affidavit based on belief alone. You must have knowledge of a fact in order for the affidavit to be valid under Texas law. To understand this better, let’s look at the 1996 case, Williams v. Bagley. Legal Terminology Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 682: No…
Can a Will Go Through Texas Probate Twice?
Will Disputes What would happen if a will could go through probate twice? This is generally prohibited. Wills are typically only probated once. If an agreement was made to accept the terms of a will and release all claims against the estate, the acceptee usually cannot relitigate the estate. Womble v. Akins gives us more…
Should You Have a Last Will & Testament in Texas?
Introduction: Should You Have a Texas Will? If you die without a will in Texas, your assets will go to your closest relatives according to state law. This may not be what you want. A will lets you decide who gets your assets when you die. A will is a legal document that says how…
Overcoming the IRS’s Constructive Dividends Argument
Those who own C corporations have to be careful about what amounts are paid out to or benefit the corporate shareholders. This is particularly true for closely held and family corporations. On audit, the IRS will often assert that these distributions are constructive dividends. This is usually a bad answer for taxpayers as it increases……
Is Your Texas Will Invalid?
When Is a Texas Last Will and Testament Invalid? After someone dies, their will is often one of the first things that needs to be dealt with. But what happens when a will is invalid? In Texas, there are a few different circumstances that can render a will null and void. Learn more about what…
What Is a Texas Small Estate Affidavit?
If you need to settle the estate of a loved one who passed away without a will in Texas, you’ll need to file a Texas small estate affidavit. This document essentially allows you to transfer the deceased person’s property to their heirs without going through probate. Keep reading to learn more about how to file…