The Texas Supreme Court just released a do-it-yourself will form that it is hoped will reduce the number of people who die without a will (intestate). Lawyers who oppose the creation of such a form worry that people will use it incorrectly and it will cause an increase in expensive probates. Which is it? Only...
An Appointment of Agent for Disposition of Remains is a document where you designate who controls your funeral arrangements and handling of your remains after death. The State has a law in place listing who has priority, in Texas that is found in Health and Safety Code section 711.002 and starts with the surviving spouse,...
A transfer on death deed designates transferees/beneficiaries to receive a piece of real property–home or lot–upon death of the transferor/owner. This is similar to a pay-on-death beneficiary on a bank account. The transferor does not lose any rights to the property during life and can cancel the designation at any time. To prepare one, you...
You can provide for ownership of a Texas-titled vehicle to pass to someone else at your death, without probate and without an affidavit of heirship. The Beneficiary Designation must be filed with the State. Here are instructions for doing that, which are not clearly stated on the two (or three) forms required: Fill out Beneficiary...
