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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

Probate

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

Wills vs. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide

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

Wills vs. trusts

Confused about the differences between wills and trusts?  If so, you’re not alone.  While it’s always wise to contact experts like us, it’s also important to understand the basics.  Here’s a quick and simple reference guide: What Revocable Living Trusts Can Do – That Wills Can’t What Wills Can Do – That Revocable Living Trusts […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills Tagged With: Asset Protection, Living Trust, Privacy, Probate, Revocable Trust, Will, Will vs Trust

The Top 2 Ways the Court Gets Involved in Your Estate, and How to Avoid Them

January 28, 2020 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

court involvement

No one wants unnecessary court involvement in their life. But without careful and proactive estate planning, chances are that some aspect of your estate will end up being decided there. Here are two of the most common ways court proceedings can make their way into the management and distribution of your assets, along with the […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Guardianship, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Probate, Probate Court, Revocable Trust

Parental Warning: If You Own Your Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children

March 8, 2019 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Error

Owning property as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship is easy, common, and often disastrous.  Sadly, children – both minor and adult – are often disinherited. While there are several forms of joint ownership, the one most people use (and the one considered in this discussion) is called “Joint Ownership with Right of Survivorship.” When […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Home/Property Ownership Tagged With: Adult Children, Children, Disinheriting, Minor Children, Probate, Trust, Will

Why Not Just Go on Nolo® or LegalZoom or Other Form Provider and Create Your Own Estate Planning Documents Cheaply?

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

laptop

There are many software programs, as well as websites, that sell do-it-yourself estate planning documents.  These websites and form tools seem to offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to consulting with an estate planning attorney.  But do they really meet your needs and protect your family?  Is online, do-it-yourself estate planning worth the perceived upfront […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: DIY, Mistakes, Online Estate Planning, Probate, Tips

3 Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate

July 16, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

When you pass away, your family may need to visit a probate court in order to claim their inheritance. This can happen if you own property (like a house, car, bank account, investment account, or other asset) in only your name. Although having a will is a good basic form of planning, a will does […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Probate

Declare Your Independence from Court Interference!

July 4, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

While the rest of the nation celebrates its independence on July 4th, you can rest assured that you too can declare independence for your family — from court interference.  Life can be unpredictable.  Whether it is a financial issue, the birth or adoption of a child, sickness or incapacity, it is important to be prepared […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning, wwPROBATE Tagged With: Estate Plan, Incapacity Plan, Minor Children, Probate, Tips, Trust, Will

How to Minimize Legal Fees After Death

June 1, 2018 By Gratia P. Schoemakers, Esq.

Death is a costly business.  Aside from funeral expenses, legal fees can take a big chunk out of how much is left for your loved ones after you’re gone. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  Careful planning can minimize the legal fees your loved ones will pay after you die.  Here’s how: Make […]

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: Cost, EP Update, Estate Plan, Probate, Taxes, Update

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