Many people initiate estate planning during the middle part of their Texas careers as they start to accumulate significant wealth. As the years pass, you may forget what you have designated for some portions of your plan. When you enter retirement, consider reviewing...
If you're looking to operate a physical retail store location in Texas, you'll need to negotiate a commercial real estate lease. Unlike leasing a home or apartment, you may have significant leeway to negotiate terms that fit your needs and budget. For instance, you...
One of the most important considerations for a person in Texas with significant assets is making sure that their loved ones are taken care of after their passing. In many cases, this is as simple as setting up a will or trust to efficiently transfer your assets to...
Thousands of couples in Texas are in long-term relationships but aren't married. And while these relationships can be as valid and meaningful as a marriage, they're viewed differently by the law, especially regarding the death of one of the partners. As a result,...
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) are Texas's powerful estate planning tool. These trusts hold life insurance policies and distribute the benefits according to your wishes while minimizing estate taxes. There are four main reasons why ILITs are important: 1....
Inheritance is a tense subject in any Texas family. It can be particularly fraught when a parent is considering leaving an unequal inheritance. These inheritances must be handled carefully or they have the potential to tear a family apart. How unequal inheritance...
If you own property in Texas, state law will determine how that property is dealt with after you die. In the event that you own property in multiple states, your estate will likely need to go through a process called ancillary probate. Ancillary probate occurs...
The arrival of a child, whether expected or unexpected, comes with additional concerns. Namely, parents and guardians in Texas must consider the child's welfare if they pass away prematurely. Effective estate planning could help address search concerns. Comprehensive...
Being an executor of an estate plan in Texas can be daunting. The executor must take on a significant amount of responsibility during an emotional time. Depending on the estate plan, the role might look a little different, but executors are generally expected to...
You sometimes have to pay capital gains tax when you sell real estate at a profit. How much tax you pay depends on how long you held the property, how you bought it and your tax bracket. Short term vs. long-term holding Capital gains taxes are lower for long-term...
