by Keith Hajovsky | Sep 27, 2023 | 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 | Sep 20, 2023 | 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 | Sep 13, 2023 | 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 | Sep 6, 2023 | 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 | Aug 17, 2023 | General Estate Planning, Wills
Is Estate Planning Expensive And Time-Consuming?: Given that almost two-thirds of Americans do not have a will, I think that many people believe that estate planning is too expensive and time-consuming and therefore not worth it. If you have a very large and/or...
by Keith Hajovsky | Aug 2, 2023 | General Estate Planning, Marital Assets, Probate, Wills
Because of the important community property and separate property issues that come up in estate planning and probate, I often get asked “What is considered a common law marriage in Texas?” It’s a good and important question, especially since more people than ever are...