A Divorce is the legal process through which a married couple dissolves their legal marriage. It is a process that is not only complex, but often times emotionally charged and part of a significant life change. If you’re thinking about divorce, it is important to have reasonable and educated expectations about what the process looks like, and how long it might take.
Divorces are inherently complex and stressful. Even when both parties are in agreement about most issues. But when there are children involved, the stakes are infinitely higher, and the importance of agreement is key, especially in the State of Texas.
In high school we begin to learn all about college. We prepare for standardized tests, write personal statements, and fill out applications. But there is one thing we typically aren’t prepared for- the consequences of reaching legal age and failing to take proper legal precaution.
For many people, the basics of estate planning are simple enough, but for those families with loved ones who are disabled or have special needs, the estate planning process is more involved – and much more critical.
Statistics have shown that at least five percent of minor children have some sort of disability, and the burden of caring for these children make estate planning essential. In addition to specialized health care, these children usually need special schooling and intensive therapy, all of which comes at a cost.
Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just about money or taxes. Far from it. Today, it’s more about protecting your assets for yourself and your loved ones, achieving your financial goals, and safeguarding your health care.
When your children were small, you no doubt endured the challenge of keeping peace in the family. We see this same scenario play out time after time among adult siblings when a messy estate causes family rifts.
Remember that old joke: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. At the heart of that gag is the truth about how you tackle any seemingly complex task, taking it one step at a time so as not to overwhelm yourself.
Many people neglect to create an estate plan because they see it as the proverbial elephant…too big, too complex. But approaching estate planning in a systematic fashion will take the complexity right out of it! Especially with the help of an attorney who is experienced in navigating both the emotional and legal intricacies of estate planning.
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries, pursuant to the wishes of the deceased person as stated in his or her estate plan – or if there is none, according to Texas Law.
Yes, that sounds like a handful. So let’s break it down. Texas Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a person who has died (the “decedent”), paying their debts, and distributing their assets to his or her beneficiaries.
Planning for a new baby is one of the most exciting chapters of a parent’s life. It’s a time when you’re looking forward to meeting the newest member of your family and making sure that the world they enter into is joyous and peaceful. But with all of this excitement comes the stress and pressure to fully care for another human being.
If you have minor children and have not yet selected guardians, you are not unlike many parents who put off this critically important task. Perhaps you are waiting for the perfect Guardians to present themselves, or you and your spouse/partner cannot agree on who would be an ideal candidate, or perhaps you feel there is no one you trust enough. In this case, you must remember that done is better than perfect.
If you do nothing, the decision about who would raise your children (if something were to happen to you) is left up to a judge to decide. A judge who doesn’t know you or your children, and doesn’t know what’s important to your family, will essentially make the decisions about who will care for your most precious loved ones.