Divorce is like probate in that it involves a lot of paperwork and also decisions about dividing property. Most people focus on the house, retirement accounts, and bank balances. They split everything according to the decree and move on with their lives. But what happens when someone dies just days after the divorce is finalized—before...KEEP READING

Estate planning documents frequently contain seemingly simple terms that later spawn disputes. A will leaves someone “the house” or “the farm” or “the real property.” Years pass. The testator sells parts of the property or receives notes as payment. The testator dies. Beneficiaries argue about what passes under the will. Some claim the testator meant...KEEP READING

Holographic wills appeal to people who want simple estate planning without attorneys. This may include online forms or services that generate wills, or even having a non-attorney friend prepare the document. These non-attorney wills are frequently disputed, and often result in expensive litigation. One area of the disputes for these wills are those who handwrite...KEEP READING

People execute wills in various ways. Some sign formal documents prepared by attorneys with witnesses present. Others handwrite simple documents disposing of their property. Texas law accommodates both approaches through different requirements for attested wills and holographic wills. However, one question frequently arises: what constitutes a valid signature on a will? The Texas Estates Code...KEEP READING