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Seguin Estate Planning Law Blog

Because property value changes, wills often need updates

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Having an estate plan means that individuals can look ahead and determine how they want certain aspects of their remaining affairs handled after their deaths. Because property distribution is often a main concern after the passing of Texas loved ones, it can prove immensely useful when wills have been created. Of course, individuals may find it useful to review their documents periodically.

Creating a will in the first place is certainly more beneficial than having no plan at all. However, if a person has the desire for a will to make sure a certain goal is reached, it is important that the document does not have mistakes. Because aspects of life and value of property can change over time, a once error-free plan could develop issues.

Long-term care planning could help individuals fund future care

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Long-Term Care Planning on Friday, June 1, 2018.

There are many financial milestones that individuals will face in life. In some instances, those milestones may be exciting, like buying a new car or home, and in others, those times could feel like a burden, such as needing money for long-term care. In the latter cases, Texas residents may be better able to protect themselves if they make efforts with long\-term care planning.

By planning ahead, individuals may be able to bypass much of the panic that could come along with needing funds for extended care. It may prove wise for any adult to consider this need, as most older individuals will need care, especially those over the age of 85. Because parties who have reached retirement live on a fixed income, they may struggle financially in the event of an emergency.

Estate planning may be more successful with family discussions

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Estate plans can have many beneficial purposes, but they can also prove less helpful than desired in some cases. Estate planning itself can have certain complications, but Texas residents could also hinder their plans' usefulness if they do not let their families in on the details of those plans. Without discussion, issues could arise after a person's death.

The results of one recent survey indicated that 40 percent of parents did not talk about their estate plans with their children. The reasons for not sharing this information can differ from person to person, but it often proves more beneficial to discuss the details of the plans, especially with individuals who are set to inherit a portion of the estate. Many estate plans have more negative outcomes than hoped because people who inherit money simply do not know how to handle the funds successfully.

Investigate area care services as part of long-term care planning

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Long-Term Care Planning on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

Suffering from a serious illness or injury at any age can have dire results. In some cases, these issues can even become incapacitating or otherwise leave Texas residents in need of extended care. Because of this possibility, long\-term care planning could be wise for anyone.

Often, by the time individuals find themselves in need of care, it can be too late for them to make decisions in regard to how that care should be handled. By starting early, parties may have the ability to thoroughly review the care services in their areas and determine which they may prefer. This ability could also help them gain an idea of how much those services may cost, which could also come in handy when planning ahead.

Even a simple will could benefit from periodic updates

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Taking the time to create an estate plan is often a worthwhile action. Even a simple will can help surviving loved ones through the probate process and in handling other important tasks associated with the passing of a family member. However, Texas residents will certainly want to ensure that their documents do not hold any outdated information.

As part of a will, individuals can name beneficiaries to receive assets, an executor to handle probate and make other appointments. While naming these parties can make a will stronger, issues could arise if the information becomes outdated. For instance, if any of the appointed or designated people pass away or become incapacitated, new appointments may need to be made. Otherwise, an estate plan may not be as helpful as desired.

Estate planning can address most any personal affair

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Creating an estate plan is a very personal experience, and it is also an experience that every Texas adult should undertake. Because estate planning tools can be used in order to address a great number of life aspects and be tailored to individuals' specific needs, it does not matter whether a person has a considerable number of assets or just a few sentimental items. An estate plan can go far beyond asset distribution.

Of course, the distribution of property after death remains a considerable concern for most people. As a result, they may want to ensure that they create a will to detail how they want their property distributed, no matter how extensive. Additionally, wills can also have other uses, such as for naming guardians for children.

Kim Kardashian addresses hair, makeup in living will

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Friday, March 23, 2018.

Thinking about the possibility of needing care due to incapacitation can hit many Texas residents differently. Some individuals may want to avoid thinking about this type of scenario at all, and others may prefer to plan every detail of their possible care. Whatever the case, at least considering the creation of a living will may be beneficial.

When it comes to planning style, Kim Kardashian apparently falls into the latter category of wanting to have even minute details planned. Many people had wondered whether certain information regarding the reality star's estate plans were true. In particular, rumors spread that she had specified how her appearance should be taken care of in the event of her incapacitation and inability to communicate her wants and needs.

Dealing with parent's debt during probate may cause confusion

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Estate Administration and Probate on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

The death of a parent can have a major impact on surviving children of any age. While emotional struggles can impact those of any age, adult children may also have other responsibilities to attend to when it comes to closing their parents' estates. While working through the Texas probate process, they may find themselves concerned over their parents' remaining debts.

Dealing with the debt of another person can be complex. Some creditors looking for their money may not make the most honest statements in regard to those outstanding balances. Because they often just want to receive what is owed to them, they may try to convince children of the deceased that they are responsible for paying those remaining debts or have some moral obligation to do so. However that is typically not the case.

Estate planning could help Texas residents protect assets

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

It may come as a surprise to many Texas residents that they do not understand their estates as well as they think. There are many aspects that go into making up an estate, and if individuals do not fully understand these different factors, they may end up making a mistake when it comes time to consider inheritances and bequests. Luckily, estate planning could give parties the opportunity to learn more about their estates and how to address their specific details in their plans.

Certainly, an person's physical assets make up a considerable portion of their estate. However, debts, insurance policies, retirement funds and numerous other items could also make up an estate. If individuals would like to protect their assets as best as possible in order to have the ability to leave as much behind for their heirs as they can, looking into debts and other financial factors could prove useful as well as could understanding asset protection options.

Understanding estate planning options may benefit Texas residents

On behalf of Kolb & Murray, P.C. posted in Wills on Thursday, February 8, 2018.

As most Texas residents know, getting an entire life's worth of affairs in order can be daunting. However, that is the general idea of what estate planning is. Though it may seem complicated to think about, creating an estate plan can be an immensely beneficial step to take. Of course, having a correct plan could make a substantial difference in how hopeful it truly is.

Because some individuals may think that estate planning is too expensive in terms of obtaining professional help, they may consider do-it-yourself options. While many online programs and other options for taking this type of approach exists, it may not be the wisest method. Without the proper knowledge and assistance, a person could easily make significant mistakes with a plan.

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