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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Gratia Schoemakers
      • Community Outreach Program
    • Testimonials
  • Virtual Services
  • Estate Planning
    • Estate Planning Basics
    • Last Will and Testament
    • Revocable Living Trusts
    • Durable Power of Attorney
    • Medical Power of Attorney
    • Living Will
    • Family Estate Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning & Asset Protection
    • Kids Safety Plan™
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Guardianship
      • Guardianship Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Legacy Preservation Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Trusts
    • Pet Trusts
    • Gun Trusts
  • Probate
    • Texas Probate Guide
    • Probate of a Will
    • Texas Affidavit of Heirship
    • Texas Small Estate Affidavit
    • Texas Heirship Determination
    • Texas Muniment of Title
    • Trust Administration
  • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Custody / Visitation
  • Blog
  • FAQs
    • FAQs – Videos
    • FAQs – Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Beyond Money in Estate Planning
    • FAQs – Divorce and Estate Planning FAQs and Myths
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Newlyweds Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Estate Planning for Young Adults
    • FAQs – The Estate Planning Cast of Characters
    • FAQs – Expecting an Inheritance
    • FAQs – Myths and FAQs – Planning for Conflict Prone Families
    • FAQs – New and Expanding Families
    • FAQs – Pet Trusts
    • FAQs – Probate
    • FAQs – Standalone Retirement Trust Myths and FAQs
    • FAQs – Trust Modifications
    • FAQs – Unwinding Obsolete Planning
    • FAQs – Why You Want to Avoid Probate
    • FAQs – Year-End Planning Myths and FAQs
  • Contact
    • Virtual Estate Planning Login
    • Client Portal

Beneficiaries

3 Simple Ways to Avoid Probate Costs

September 5, 2022 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

probate costs

The bad news: probated estates are subject to a variety of costs from attorneys, executors, appraisers, accountants, courts, and state law.  Depending on the probate’s complexity, fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars. The good news: probate costs can be reduced by avoiding probate.  It’s really that simple. Here are three simple ways […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Cost, Living Trust, Probate, Probate Costs, Probate Court, Property

3 Powers to Consider Giving to a Trust Protector

March 15, 2022 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Trust Protector

Today many estate plans contain irrevocable trusts that will continue for the benefit of a spouse’s lifetime and then for the benefit of several generations.  Since these trusts are designed to span multiple decades, they must include a trust protector who will have the ability to adjust the trust provisions as circumstances, beneficiaries, and governing […]

Filed Under: Trusts Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Trust Protector, Trustee

Who Is Your Beneficiary? Marilyn Monroe Ultimately Had No Idea

July 30, 2019 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

When creating a last will and testament, it’s important to know your beneficiary. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Marilyn Monroe, one of the world’s most famous icons, didn’t seem to have any idea to whom she left her money. Acting Coach & Psychiatrist Got Everything Marilyn Monroe died at the age of 36 from […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Celebrities

Are Your Documents Following the Same Script? Basics of Beneficiary Forms and Estate Planning

August 23, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Think Before You Act

In the event of your untimely death, the manner in which your beneficiaries — or those people who receive your assets from your estate — are determined is highly dependent on how your property is titled. Generally, property with title includes vehicles, boats, airplanes, real estate, bank accounts, savings bonds, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, […]

Filed Under: Design, Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries

How to Leave Your Life Insurance and Retirement Plan to Your Minor Children

August 23, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

people 2566854 1920

Your children are your pride and joy.  It is no surprise that at some point or another, every parent likely becomes concerned about who will care for a minor child or children if one or both parents die or are incapacitated.  From a financial perspective, many parents turn to life insurance in an effort to […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Retirement Tagged With: Assets, Beneficiaries, Children, Guardians, Insurance, Life Insurance, Minor Children, Tips, Trust

The One Thing Every New Grandparent Must Do As Soon As Possible

August 23, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

grandfather 2043611 1920

Congratulations on welcoming the newest addition to your family.  Being a new grandparent changes everything — including how you approach your finances — and is one of the most joyous occasions in life.  The excitement of a new baby — and all of the firsts that come with this bundle of joy — can grab […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Disinheriting, Estate Plan, Grandchildren, Mistakes

Beneficiary Designations and a Blended Family: Why You Need to Think Before You Sign

August 23, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

family 286229 1920

Whether you are in your first marriage or have remarried after a divorce, blended families are a common part of modern society. That being said, it is important to understand that blended families and subsequent marries create important and unique issues when it comes to estate planning. You may need to account for a prior […]

Filed Under: Divorce, Estate Planning, Trusts Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Insurance, Life Insurance

3 Things You Must Do Once Your Divorce Is Final

August 23, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

What’s Next?

The divorce process can be long and expensive.  However, the work does not end once the divorce decree is signed. In order to ensure that your assets and estate planning wishes are carried out in light of this major life change, there are three things you must do as soon as possible. Change Beneficiary Designation […]

Filed Under: Divorce, Estate Planning Tagged With: Beneficiaries, Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement Accounts, Trust

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