A Prenuptial Agreement Might Be Your Blended Family’s Best Estate Planning Tool
Most people assume estate planning begins with a will or trust. For many blended families, it begins much earlier.
September 1, 2026
Common Law Marriage in Texas: The Blended Family Problem You May Not Know You Have
Texas is one of the few states that recognizes common law marriage. As a result, some couples may be legally married under Texas law even though they never had a wedding, never obtained a marriage license, and never intended to create the legal consequences of marriage.
July 28, 2026
A Life Estate can Benefit Your Spouse in Life and a Charity in Death
A life estate can allow a surviving spouse to remain in the family home, while ensuring that the property ultimately passes to a chosen beneficiary, such as a church or charitable organization.
June 2, 2026
Ex-Spouse Might Be Your Inheritor If Probate Mistakes are Not Avoided
Failing to update your estate plan after a divorce can lead to unintended outcomes, including the possibility that an ex-spouse may still inherit from your estate.
May 20, 2026
Your Spouse May Not Be the Right Choice for Trustee
While naming a spouse as trustee may seem like the natural choice, it is not always the best decision for managing trusts effectively and protecting beneficiaries.
April 28, 2026
Always Update Estate Plan after Moving to a New State
When you cross state lines, your estate plan may no longer work the way you intended, even if nothing in your personal life has changed.
December 29, 2025
Portability Doesn’t Happen Automatically
Portability isn’t automatic; even nontaxable estates must file a tax return to elect it.
November 13, 2025
Choosing a Guardian for Minor Children is Critical
Choosing a guardian is one of the most important estate planning decisions parents make. It ensures that children are cared for by someone trustworthy and aligned with family values if the unexpected happens.
October 14, 2025
Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney are Essential Tools in your Estate Plan
What people fail to realize is that your estate plan is more than just distributing your assets after you pass away.
September 4, 2025
How Wealth is Distributed in Blended Families
This summer’s passing of Ozzy Osbourne was mourned by heavy metal fans and caught the attention of estate planning attorneys for lessons about how wealth is distributed among members of a blended family. Whether you liked his music or not, Osbourne left an estate estimated to be worth $230 million plus future royalties, reports a recent article from Think Advisor, “What Wealthy Families Can Learn From a Rock Star’s Estate.” There’s no estate battle for now. However, only time will tell if the Osbourne family faces issues like those of many blended families. There’s no simple playbook for these situations,…
September 2, 2025