by Keith Hajovsky | Mar 26, 2025 | Asset Protection, General Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Trusts
Many people wonder if they can create a living trust for themselves in order to protect their assets. In Texas you cannot do this as long as you have direct control over the assets. If you created an irrevocable living trust, then you could have asset protection due...
by Keith Hajovsky | Mar 19, 2025 | Estate Administration, General Estate Planning, Intestate - Dying Without A Will, Marital Assets, Wills
If you die without a will in Texas, the Texas Estates Code has strict rules that dictate where your assets go. For many or perhaps people this strict assignment of their assets is not what they would have wanted. And for some people, due to their specific life...
by Keith Hajovsky | Mar 12, 2025 | Estate Administration, General Estate Planning, Non-probate Assets, Probate, Wills
In 2015 the Texas legislature created a new way for people to transfer ownership of real estate at the time of their death with what is called a Transfer on Death Deed (TOD). [also see A Lady Bird Deed Protects A Home Medicaid Recovery] The way it works is that the...
by Keith Hajovsky | Mar 5, 2025 | Estate Administration, General Estate Planning, Non-probate Assets, Probate, Wills
It’s very important to keep in mind that usually not all of your assets pass through your will. This is something that many people don’t realize. And this can potentially cause BIG problems. Assets that don’t pass through your will are called non-probate assets. These...
by Keith Hajovsky | Feb 26, 2025 | Estate Administration, General Estate Planning, Non-probate Assets, Probate, Wills
Most people incorrectly believe that the money in their bank account will automatically pass through their will in whatever way the will dictates. However, it is very common for a bank account to be opened either as a JTWROS (“joint tenants with right of...
by Keith Hajovsky | Feb 19, 2025 | General Estate Planning, Medical Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney
If you think that you are likely to become incapacitated for whatever reason, you should strongly consider signing an estate planning document called a Declaration of Guardian. [You likewise might consider getting a Living Trust] And by incapacitated, I mean that due...