Last Will and Testament Requirements in Texas You might think that as long as you have a will, your estate will be distributed the way you want it to be. But if you don’t have a valid will in Texas, your estate will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy. It’s established law in…
TX-LW Blogs
IRS Substantiation for Charitable Contributions & Gifts
Our tax laws allow a deduction for contributions and gifts made to charities. The idea is that the charity is relieving the government of some service or function that the government would have to otherwise have provided. The amount of the charitable contribution deduction can be significant. This benefit has been part of tax planning……
Probate and the Texas Death Certificate
Do You Need a Texas Death Certificate for the Probate Process? The death certificate is generally needed to start the probate process. A death certificate must be filed with the State of Texas within 10 days of death. This time frame is not always met. When there are questions about the cause of death or…
Contesting the IRS’s Passport Certification for Back Taxes
The IRS has a lot of tools available to help it collect unpaid taxes. This includes liens, levies, and even seizing property. Congress added the ability for the IRS to certify passports for those who owe back taxes and have refused to pay. Congress provided a judicial remedy for erroneous certifications. There have not been……
Funerals, Burials, and Final Costs
Funeral Costs & Last Expenses Paying for the Last Expenses Planning the funeral of a loved one can be very stressful. When a person dies, there will be a question as to how and when their funeral and last expenses are to be paid. Even if there is a will, unless the decedent is survived…
Does the Texas PLLC Bar Recovery for Attorney Malpractice?
As a business owner in Texas, you may be familiar with the concept of a professional limited liability company (PLLC). A PLLC is a type of LLC that is specifically designed for professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, and accountants, who want to take advantage of the liability protection provided by an LLC while still maintaining……
Make Sure a Probate Court Has Jurisdiction to Hear Your Case
Even though a probate court is an official court of the State of Texas, it is still limited to hearing only certain matters. If it rules on matters outside of this scope, its ruling might be worthless. Make sure the probate court can hear the matter you’re arguing before it. Here’s a case that illustrates…
California Taxes Out-of-State Trusts for Out-of-State Asset
A record number of taxpayers have moved from California to other states, such as Texas. With advance tax planning, this type of move can produce significant tax savings. The savings can be had year after year. This type of move can also help avoid the audit and appeals process in California. This alone is worth……
Can the District Court Determine Property Ownership of an Estate?
Probate is the process of administering a deceased person’s property and assets in accordance with their estate plan. At times, this can lead to disputes over the ownership and distribution of their assets. The court may be called upon to adjudicate these disputes and determine the rightful owner of property in an estate. In doing…