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28 April

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Texas Small Estate Affidavit: Simplifying Probate for Families

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs

Texas Small Estate Affidavit: Simplifying Probate for Families After a loved one passes away, the idea of navigating the full probate process can feel overwhelming.Fortunately, Texas law offers a faster, easier option for certain smaller estates: the Small Estate Affidavit. At Villegas Law Firm, we help El Paso families use this simplified tool when eligible — saving time, money, and stress.What Is a Small Estate Affidavit in Texas? A Small Estate Affidavit is a legal shortcut that allows heirs to claim property without formal probate proceedings.It's designed for straightforward situations where:The estate is relatively small The deceased did not leave a valid...

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28 April

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How to Avoid Probate in Texas: Essential Strategies for Families

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs

How to Avoid Probate in Texas: Essential Strategies for Families Probate can be stressful, costly, and time-consuming.The good news is that with proper planning, you can help your family avoid probate altogether and ensure that your assets transfer smoothly. At Villegas Law Firm, we help El Paso families use smart legal tools to simplify estate transitions. Here are the most effective strategies to avoid probate in Texas.1. Create a Revocable Living Trust A revocable living trust allows you to transfer ownership of your property into a trust during your lifetime.When you pass away, the trustee distributes your assets to your beneficiaries according to...

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27 April

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Understanding Will Contests in Texas: Your Rights Explained

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs

Understanding Will Contests in Texas: Your Rights Explained Challenging a loved one's will can be emotionally and legally complicated. If you believe a will is invalid due to undue influence, fraud, or lack of capacity, you have the right to contest it under Texas law. At Villegas Law Firm, we help families throughout El Paso navigate disputes with compassion and precision. Here’s what you need to know if you consider contesting a will.What Is a Will Contest? A will contest is a formal legal objection that questions the validity of a deceased person's last will and testament. Common grounds for a contest include:...

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29 August

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El Paso Probate and Estate Litigation Lawyer

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs, Legal Insights

Navigating probate disputes can be emotional and complex, often leading to conflicts among family members and close friends. Having the proper legal support to protect your interests and maintain essential relationships during challenging times. At Villegas Law Firm, our El Paso probate litigation attorneys are dedicated to guiding clients through every step of the estate and probate litigation process. We offer comprehensive legal services to individuals and families across West Texas, safeguarding their rights during estate disputes. Comprehensive Probate and Estate Litigation Services in El Paso At Villegas Law Firm, our experienced probate litigation attorneys represent heirs, beneficiaries, conservators, and guardians in...

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15 April

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8 Reasons You May Need To Update Your Will

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

You’ve created your estate plan. All of your beneficiaries are accounted for in your last will and testament, your wealth and assets are secured in trusts, your living will outlines every possible medical decision you might face, you’ve chosen a trusted executor, and you’ve accounted for any other need or occurrence. Nothing else to worry about, right? Well, not quite.There are many life events that may occur that change your family or your finances; these changes may mean it’s time to update your will. If you fail to keep your will up-to-date, you run the risk that your final wishes...

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29 March

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Small Business Estate Planning: What You Need To Know

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

As a small business owner, there are a hundred or more tasks that need your attention at any given time. With so much to consider in the present moment, planning for the far-off future can serve as little other than a passing thought. But, it’s a question worth your consideration–who will see to these tasks once you’re gone? Surely the business you have worked so hard to build and grow shouldn’t cease to exist when you are no longer around to oversee it!In order to ensure that your small business is handed over to a party with the ability and...

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19 February

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Intestacy Law Basics For Texans: Who Inherits What When There Is No Will?

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

When someone passes away without leaving a legal will behind, they are considered by the law to have died “intestate”. Because they did not leave valid wishes behind for what should happen to the remaining possessions they owned, the intestacy laws of the state they resided in will govern how their possessions are distributed. Texas’s intestacy law essentially gives most of the remaining possessions to the closest living relative. This sounds good in theory, but can cause major issues for blended families, estranged families, and even for “traditional” families who may not realize how the laws work. Here are some things you...

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21 November

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8 Things To Consider When Choosing A Trust

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs, Estate Planning

Embarking on the journey of estate planning is a significant endeavor which requires a substantial amount of thought and effort. One of the most crucial decisions an individual will make during this time is which type of trust, or which combination of trusts, to create. As they navigate the complexities of safeguarding their assets, providing for loved ones, and optimizing tax implications, the various options in the realm of trusts can be both empowering and overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll delve into the key considerations that you need to weigh before deciding on the type of trust(s) that align with your...

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30 October

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Understanding Different Types Of Trusts

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs, Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning, trusts are some of the most beneficial tools that a person can choose to utilize. Trusts offer many benefits, such as protection of your privacy, protection of your assets, tax efficiency, smooth succession planning, and the avoidance of probate (which is a long and expensive court process). However, there are many different types of trusts one can choose to create, so it’s understandable to be a little overwhelmed by them all and unsure of which one is right for you and your family. In this blog, we’ll be going over how some of the...

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03 October

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The Most Common Estate Disputes And How To Resolve Them

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs, Estate Planning

The death of a loved one can bring about an extremely emotional period of time for a family, and could cause an individual to act in a way they may not under normal circumstances. When it comes to their loved one’s estate, they may become especially desperate if they are not slated to inherit the money or property they thought they should, or if they’ve been disinherited entirely. Disputes over a decedent’s estate and/or trust are very common and can get incredibly messy if they end up in court. To resolve estate and trust disputes, you will need the services...

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23 August

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What To Do When An Agent Has Abused Power Of Attorney

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs

Choosing to give a trusted individual power of attorney can be incredibly convenient and helpful in a time of legal need. There are many different types of power of attorney in Texas that can help individuals accomplish a vast range of legal activities. Unfortunately, it is still possible for this trusted person to act in an inappropriate manner and abuse the power that has been granted to them. It is even more likely that this abuse will occur if the individual granting power of attorney is an elder or is incapacitated.In this blog, we’ll detail some red flags that may...

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31 July

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What You Need To Know About Contesting a Will In Texas And Your Chances Of Actually Winning

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Blogs, Estate Planning

Bobby, a Dallas resident, recently lost his elderly father after he endured a severe illness. Bobby’s father had been sick for a while, so he had planned ahead and had a will drawn up by an estate planning lawyer months before he passed. Bobby and his father had many meetings with this lawyer and knew that he was named the estate’s executor and was to inherit half of the estate along with his step-mother, who was to inherit the other half. However, following his father’s death, his step-mother suddenly produces a hand-written will that she claims her husband composed and signed...

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19 June

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How To Avoid Creating Family Conflict When Planning Your Estate

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

It isn’t uncommon for family members to be unhappy when they learn they did not inherit certain possessions or the amount of money they thought they would get upon the death of a loved one. While the way you choose to distribute your assets upon your death is ultimately your decision, if there are already tensions that exist within your family, disinherited individuals could cause more points of contention after you pass away. They might challenge your will or harass the person you name as your executor or trustee. If you wish to leave as little conflict behind as possible...

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23 May

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5 Important Terms To Know For Planning Your Estate

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

It’s hard for many people to talk about or even think about death, but it is a reality that everyone must come to terms with. What makes death even more difficult is when a person passes without having had a plan in place for how to carry out their final wishes or distribute their belongings to their heirs. This can lead to stress, confusion, or even disputes among family members, on top of the grief they are already experiencing. Another possibility is that the assets and property of the decedent must go through the Texas probate process, which can be...

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20 April

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3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes For Blended Families To Avoid

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

in Estate Planning

Blended families can be complicated. If you’re divorced, remarried, have stepchildren, share children with another partner, or otherwise have a blended family situation, you are likely used to navigating many of the complexities that arise in your daily life (such as the practical realities of shared custody). However, you may not be used to the legal steps you need to take in order to plan ahead and make sure that the future is secure for yourself and your loved ones. Estate planning is challenging even for traditional families; for blended families, there are many common pitfalls that you may encounter if...

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15 March

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5 Reasons To Avoid Probate In Texas

Posted by Jorge Villegas, JD, CPA

When you pass away in the state of Texas, it is likely that your loved ones will have to go through the probate process, even if you have a will. This process can be emotionally draining and has the potential to cause issues such as privacy concerns, familial conflict, hefty legal fees, and more. In the event that you pass away or become incapacitated, your family will have enough going on simply adjusting to a life without you in it. They don’t need the worry of complicated legal issues in addition to that! An experienced Texas probate attorney can help...

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