In this new normal of living with COVID, should you consider creating a will? The answer is YES. But it is still a difficult decision for many. When speaking with clients about creating a will, I hear, “I don’t have any property,” or, “I’m feeling fine, I don’t need a...
Being a Will Executor
by Peter Hall | May 15, 2020 | Estate Litigation, Estate Planning | 0 Comments
Many times, a family member reads Mom or Dad’s will and sees they have been “appointed” as the executor of the estate. Unfortunately, using the word “appoint” in your will is technically inaccurate. Only a court can “appoint” the executor. Your will...
Updating Estate Documents During COVID-19
by Peter Hall | Apr 3, 2020 | Estate Planning | 0 Comments
General interest in updating a will and other estate documents, particularly medical power of attorney and durable general power of attorney, has grown as this virus continues its spread. If you are wanting to get a will, make changes to your will, or discuss...
You Do Not Have to Lose Your Home to Property Tax Foreclosure in Texas
by Peter Hall | Mar 16, 2020 | Real Estate Transactions | 0 Comments
If you are facing a pending tax foreclosure, or worse, your house was recently sold by a taxing authority, all is not lost. Texas allows home owners to “redeem” the property. The process requires competent assistance. That is where we come in. Let us help you recover...
Now that I have my will and other documents finished, where do I keep them?
by Peter Hall | Feb 18, 2020 | Estate Planning | 0 Comments
How best to store your estate planning documents is a common question. The answer really depends upon your preferences and what you might perceive to be the risks involved. Here are some thoughts on how/where to store your documents. The key to remember is that...
Does Every Will Have to be Probated in Texas?
by Peter Hall | Jan 17, 2020 | Estate Planning, Probate | 0 Comments
Frequently I get questions about whether a Will must get probated. The short answer is no, not every Will has to go through probate. However, that determination is most likely not able to be made until after the Testator (the person that made the Will) has passed...
What happens when a Texas probate court makes a bad decision?
by Peter Hall | Dec 16, 2019 | Estate Litigation, Probate | 0 Comments
I wrote this article for a previous law firm. At New & Hall, we continue to offer appellate legal services. This article is specific to probate appeals which tend to be a little less clear, generally speaking. Please read below to see if we might be of help if you...
Now That I Have My Estate Plan, What Do I Do Next?
by Peter Hall | Oct 14, 2019 | Estate Planning | 0 Comments
How is ownership of your assets designated? You should consider how you establish ownership of your assets. What does this mean? It means, you may have joint bank accounts, or maybe the cars have only one name on the title, or you and/or your spouse have separate...