When a will is contested in Texas, the scope of the executor’s authority is often disputed. Texas executors derive their authority solely from the will itself. However, competing heirs disagree on what powers the will actually grants. Critical issues like an executor’s ability to dispose of estate assets through sale or gift may hinge on...KEEP READING

A will can provide that if someone challenges the will, they are disinherited. This is referred to as a “no-contest” or “in terrorem” clause. Texas law allows for the enforcement of no-contest clauses in wills.  No-contest clauses in wills are enforceable in Texas.  However, Texas courts have enforced these clauses narrowly to avoid unwarranted forfeitures....KEEP READING

Lifetime transgressions can and do often come to a head when someone dies.  This can include a variety of family issues, including those that some may consider taboo. Take the example of where an uncle purports to marry his niece.  Texas law does not allow such a marriage, but, apparently, some jurisdictions do.  What happens...KEEP READING

In the legal world, disputes can arise over a variety of issues, and when two cases with similar subjects are filed, the question of jurisdiction often arises. This was the situation in the recent case of In re McGowan, No. 03-22-00726-CV, 2023 Tex. App. LEXIS 168 (Tex. App.—Austin January 11, 2023, original proceeding), which dealt...KEEP READING

Estate planning can be a contentious issue, especially when it comes to siblings. A recent article in the Houston Chronicle highlights the story of a man whose parents had a complex estate plan that led to a lengthy legal battle between him and his siblings. The man’s parents had owned a successful business and had...KEEP READING

In Texas, as in other states, a testator – the person who made the will – must be of “sound mind” to make a valid will. This means that the testator must understand that he or she is making a will, knows the natural objects of his or her bounty, and understand the disposition he...KEEP READING

We all know that creditors can be a nuisance when someone dies owing them money. But what you may not know is that, in Texas, there are specific laws regarding how to handle a decedent’s creditors. If you’re the executor of an estate in Texas, it’s important to understand your obligations when it comes to...KEEP READING