Estate Planning

Once you have taken the step to create an estate plan, you should realize that you aren't done with the estate planning process. You will have to go through your estate plan periodically to ensure that your plan is up-to-date. In fact, you will also have to make sure...

Last week, we discussed a case that involved the heirs to comedians Abbot and Costello and a lost bid to seek damages from a play allegedly using the duo's material. This week, another estate case is making headlines with regard to creative material, but the author of...

Pets can be wonderful companions for individuals who are in later years of life. Individuals or couples who live alone after children have left the nest often seek comfort and companionship from dogs, cats and other pets. But experts note that when you have a pet in...

In an article for Money, financial adviser Rick Kahler notes that professionals should seek to help clients with emotional well-being as well as financial well-being. That doesn't mean financial advisers should offer therapy sessions -- they aren't qualified for that....

When you think of your heirs fighting over your estate in Texas—something it is always best to avoid—you probably assume they'll be fighting over bank accounts, retirement funds or valuable real estate. Essentially, it seems they'd fight over the things...

While many Texans might realize the need to have a will or other estate documents in order, they might not realize how integrated many aspects of life are with estate planning. For example, health concerns and retirement go right along with estate planning when you...

Estate plans outline what will happen to all your things when you die. Without this estate plan, you are said to die intestate, which means the state will dictate who gets what based on a predetermined list. We know that you don't want to just leave your estate to...

A lot of thought goes into your estate plan. You have to do more than just write down who gets what when you are creating an estate plan. In some cases, using a will in conjunction with trusts will help you to get your estate set up so it can be disbursed as you want...

Making an estate plan that takes care of all the considerations you have can be a complex undertaking. While simple estates might only require a will, other more complex estates might require a combination of a will and several trusts. Understanding what you need to...