How to Set Up Legacy Contacts
When creating estate plans digital assets- such as Gmail accounts and Facebook- are often overlooked. For many, however, controlling what happens to these assets is a critical component of organizing their affairs. Here are the processes for making sure the right people can access your accounts upon your passing. If you missed our previous blog […]
6 Incredibly Famous People Who Died Without a Will
We all know we need to get a will, but for many of us it feels like we will have more time to get around to it. When someone in the United States dies without a will, they are considered to have died “intestate.” Rather than choose what happens to their estate, the governing law […]
Top 10 Worries for Clients
Sitting on my side of the conference table (or zoom camera, as it is more often than not), I hear a lot about the innerworkings of my clients’ families, finances and personal lives. Through all the stories of family conflict and loss I’ve heard, there are a few common concerns my estate planning clients come […]
Muniments of Title in Texas
Texas. That word alone evokes varying images and emotions in everyone’s hearts and minds. Perhaps that word makes you envision rugged landscapes, longhorn cattle, and oil derricks. Or perhaps the historic Alamo and resolute individualism come to mind. In all likelihood; however, you probably won’t think about Muniment of Title. Like many things unique to […]
Estate Planning for Blended Families
According to the Pew Research Center, two-parent married households are declining while rates for divorce, remarriage and cohabitation are growing. Today, 40% of births occur to women who are not married, and less than half of kids are living with two parents who are both in their first marriage. At the Heights Law Group, we […]
Planning for Your Digital Legacy
An estate plan often focuses on tangible property such as jewelry, artwork, money, and vehicles. However, in this age of technology, it is important to remember to include your digital assets. Digital assets consist of everything we own online. Because we spend more time on computers and smartphones than we ever did before, you may […]
Lady Bird Deeds vs Transfer on Death Deed
In Texas, the default for real property – i.e. land and everything attached to that land—is to wind up in the homeowner’s probate estate. What this means is that when the homeowner dies, their real estate is subject to the probate process in order to transfer title. What many people don’t realize, however, is that […]
How to Legally Transfer a Motor Vehicle After Death
Houston is a city of drivers. Most of us have cars, and naturally we would prefer to leave our car to a designated beneficiary without having the car go through the probate process. Something few people take advantage of, is the Beneficiary Designation of a Motor Vehicle form available through the DMV. This form allows […]
What Needs To Be Done Once Someone Dies
When someone you love dies there is a lot that must happen both on personal and legal levels. A funeral must be planned, outstanding debt must be paid, if they owned pets they must be rehomed to name a few. If these tasks become your responsibility, it can be difficult and stressful and take up […]
Types of Trusts for Your Pets
As you are making your Will or Living Trusts you think of all your loved ones that should be included but often overlook one very important family member—your pets. Did you know you can have Pet Trusts? Pets provide friendship, loyalty and comfort, but are also dependent on us to take care of them. Just […]
