The question is often asked, “How do I know when I need to update my estate planning documents?” While it is good practice to review and reevaluate your estate plan every year and no less than every five years, Houston attorney James E. Brill has provided the...
When a person has a will, that person’s property will pass through probate upon his/her death. There are certain estate planning tools, however, which allow individuals to bypass the probate process. The transfer on death deed is one such tool. A transfer on death...
In selecting a trustee, a settlor normally chooses someone who will administer the trust with sound judgment and faithfulness to the settlor’s vision for the future. It is common, nonetheless, for a trustee to find himself asking—can a trustee delegate certain powers...
A lien is a legal arrangement between a debtor and a creditor. It gives the creditor—a person who is owed money—the right to hold onto the debtor’s property until the debtor has paid his or her debt. Below, you will find brief descriptions of agriculture-related...
There are a number of factors which could lead to disputes about a will in a family. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend toward claiming a dominant family member is incompetent, and the beneficiaries need access to those funds or that power now. Three factors to...
Generally: Federal Tax Liens A federal tax lien is a legal claim against all current and future property, including but not limited to real estate, automobiles, wages, and bank accounts. 26 U.S.C. § 6321,...
