Parents in Texas blended families often have one overriding concern: protecting their children. They want to know where their children will live if something happens
Many Texas couples spend years building a life together without ever getting married. They share a home. They share expenses. They may help raise children
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.
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.
The portion the surviving spouse can claim depends on the circumstances.
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,…
Probate can tie up assets, create delays and drain estate value—many families benefit from planning around it.
Make sure that you have a will and up-to-date beneficiary designations on all of your bank accounts, life-insurance policies and brokerage accounts.
Blended families face a higher risk of estate conflicts—clear documents, open communication and thoughtful planning help protect relationships and prevent legal battles.
Blended families face unique estate planning risks—without clear documents and careful planning, inheritance conflicts between spouses and children are almost inevitable.
