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…
Tag: probate attorney near me
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…
Can I Challenge the Court Appointment of an Independent Executor?
In the Texas case of In re Estate of Crenshaw, the court was faced with a hearing on the disqualification of an independent executor under section 78 of the Texas Probate Code [now the Texas Estates Code]. At issue in the case was whether an order appointing an independent executor was appealable to a higher…
Top 5 Things to Look for in a Texas Probate Attorney
When it comes to selecting a Texas probate attorney, there are many things to consider. Probate is the legal process of administering an estate after someone passes away and involves complex and detailed work. You need an attorney who understands your needs, is knowledgeable about Texas law and has the experience necessary to handle your…
The 2023 Increases to Federal Estate & Gift Tax Exclusions
The IRS has announced that it will be increasing the estate and gift tax exclusions for 2023. This means that more money can be passed on to heirs without being subject to taxes. For those who are planning their estates, this is good news. However, it also means that more people will be subject to…
How Do I Probate a Will in Texas?
Probating a will is the process of proving the validity of a will in court. It is generally required when someone dies with assets in their name that need to be transferred to beneficiaries. The probate process can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced attorney by your side. If you are…
What are 3 ways testators can bequest something in their Texas Will?
When you create a will, you have the opportunity to specify how your belongings will be distributed after you pass away. This is called a bequest. In Texas, there are three ways to make a bequest in your will: specific, demonstrative, or by residuary. Specific bequests are when you leave a specific item to someone…
How to Get Bank, Financial, and Mortgage Information after Someone Dies
After someone dies, their bank accounts, financial assets, and mortgage information do not automatically go to the next of kin. In Texas, the process for getting this information is not as straightforward as one might think. In this blog post, we will explore how to get bank, financial, and mortgage information in Texas after someone…
Do bank accounts go through probate in Texas?
If you’re like most people, you have at least one bank account. But what happens to that account when you die? The answer may surprise you: in Texas, bank accounts do not go through probate. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what this means for your loved ones and how to ensure that your bank…