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…
TX-LW Blogs
How Do I Locate a Will?
Have you ever wondered how to locate a will? While it may seem like a daunting task, it is an important step when trying to figure out what the deceased wanted. This can be especially true if you are an heir or executor of a will. In this blog post, we’ll explore what to do…
What Should I Look for in a Personal Representative?
Texas state law mandates that for any probate matter, a personal representative must be appointed in order to represent the estate of the deceased. But what exactly does that mean? How can one determine who is capable and eligible to be the personal representative? And what qualities do they need to possess in order to…
What is a Muniment of Title?
A Muniment of Title is a legal concept that many people have heard of but don’t really understand. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the concept and discuss how it applies to real-world scenarios. A Muniment of Title is a legal document that confirms an individual’s ownership rights over certain…
Court Limits IRS Passport Certification Under Sec. 7345
In recent years, the U.S. government has taken steps to increase enforcement measures to allow the IRS to collect delinquent taxes. This includes adding Sec. 7345 to allow the IRS and U.S. State Department to revoke or deny passports of individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts. In order to revoke or deny a passport, the……
Avoiding Penalties: Choosing a Reliable Tax Return Preparer
With the tax season around the corner, a significant number of taxpayers are seeking the services of tax return preparers. This often involves choosing a preparer who has been recommended by friends and family members. Tax return preparers may be referred based not on their qualifications, but on their reputation for generating large refunds for……
Amount of 179D Tax Deduction for Building Designer
Congress often creates tax incentives, but it is up to the IRS and courts to determine their implementation and interpretation. The Sec. 179D tax deduction is an example of this. The statute provides broad concepts but lacks substance, leading to the courts playing a crucial role in determining its implementation and interpretation. The details matter……
Arrangements to Make After a Loved One Dies
Death is a difficult thing. It can feel sudden and overwhelming, no matter the circumstances. During this time of grief, it’s understandable that you may not be thinking about the practical considerations involved in dealing with the death of a loved one. But these are important arrangements to make in order to take care of…
Are Life Insurance Proceeds Taxable?
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…