A properly executed will allows a person to have their assets distributed according to their wishes after they die. The person who prepares a will is referred to as the testator. The Texas Estates Code sets out the requirements that must be met by the testator for the document to be valid….
If someone dies in Texas without a will, the Texas Estates Code governs how the estate is distributed. A person who dies without a will is said to have died “intestate.” The law provides complicated guidance as to how property of a person who dies intestate is divided. The important thing to remember is that…
In Denton County and most Texas counties, if you have been named the executor of an estate, you will need to be represented by an attorney in probate court. There may be some exceptions, such as if you are the sole heir and there are no debts, but in all other situations,…
When someone dies, probate is the process by which a court oversees the distribution of that person’s assets according to the terms of their will. There are some assets that pass to heirs outside of probate. Many surviving spouses do not realize that probate is necessary to transfer property purchased…
If someone dies intestate, that means they died without leaving a will. When that happens in Texas, the law is clear about what happens next. If your parent dies intestate, what happens to the estate will depend on whether your other parent is still alive and was married to your…
Most people do not want to talk about what will happen when they die, but if you own a business, whether as a sole proprietor, member of a partnership, or have an interest in a limited liability company (LLC), you need to plan for this event to protect your business…
No amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one. Grief is compounded when the death was caused by the negligence of another. If you were financially dependent upon the deceased, the wrongful death may cause your life to dramatically change. At Springer & Lyle, we care about…
It may seem strange to associate estate planning with the holidays. It is actually a great time to assess your family’s situation, its changing needs, and how that affects how you want your assets distributed when you die. As Benjamin Franklin wrote to a friend in 1789, “in this world nothing…
When a married couple in Texas divorces, the law presumes that all property accumulated during the marriage is community property, which means it is owned jointly by both parties and should be divided equally between them. But all property may not belong to the community. One party may claim some assets as…
As part of your estate planning, your attorney may suggest you create a trust. There are different types of trusts and one or more may appeal to you as the best method for passing on your assets to your heirs upon your death. Although trusts have traditionally been used to…
SPRINGER & LYLE, LLP
1807 Westminster
Denton, TX 76205
phone: 940.387.0404
toll-free: 855.387.0404
fax: 940.383.7656
