Texas Probate Blog

The Wright Firm, LLP

The Dallas Divorce Attorney: Division of Property: Inheritances and Property in Probate

The Division of Property: Inheritances and Property in Probate             I have had a few clients come to me recently who have asked whether property that is still in probate needs to be disclosed in their divorce.  The question often arises because they are worried that disclosing this property may result in the Court awarding […]

Dallas Probate Lawyer: I have a Physician’s Directive, why do I also need a HIPPA Authorization?

I have a Physician’s Directive, why do I also need a HIPPA Authorization?  To have a complete estate plan, it is necessary to execute a HIPPA Authorization form in conjunction with a physician’s directive and other estate planning documents. In 2003, the Federal Government passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), which protects […]

Dallas Probate Lawyer: RECOGNITION OF HANDWRITTEN WILLS IN TEXAS

Dallas Probate Lawyer: Texas is among 20 or so other states that recognize handwritten wills, known as a holographic wills. A holographic will must be completely in the Testator’s handwriting and signed by the Testator. A holographic will can be written on anything, even a paper that contains printing, as long as the printed words […]

Dallas Probate Attorney: WHAT ABOUT FLUFFY?

If you are a pet owner, like me, you more than likely consider your pet (whether dog, cat, bird, or even lizard) as a dearly loved family member. So then why do so many of us forget about them when it comes time to draft our wills? I first became aware of the concept of […]

TEXAS PROBATE ATTORNEY: IF I DIE WITHOUT A WILL WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, EVERYTHING GOES TO MY SPOUSE, RIGHT?

Because Texas is a community property state, It is a common misconception that if a decedent dies without a will (“intestate”), his or her entire estate will pass automatically to his or her surviving spouse. This does not always hold true. Sections 38, 43 and 45 of the Texas Probate Code dictate the intestate distribution […]

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Texas?

The State of Texas doesn’t take the property of someone dying without a Will. So, what are the results in Texas if you don’t have a Will. In Texas, the law dictates the way the assets of somebody dying without a Will are divided upon their death. Should you die without a Will in Texas, […]