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Wills, Estates & Probate Overview
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| Lawyers & Law Firms |
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Articles |
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| Laws & Statutes |
- Texas Law: Wills & Estates
- Texas Trust Law
Many individuals use trusts as an estate planning tool. The law on Trusts in Texas is found at Title 9 of the Texas Property Code. The Texas Legislature provides online access to the Code. The Code is downloadable in .pdf and MSWord formats. - Texas Tax Code
Like the federal government, Texas has the power to impose taxes on property left behind for loved ones. The Texas Legislature provides online access to the Texas Tax Code. The Code is downloadable in .pdf and MSWord formats. - Texas Probate Code
Sometimes (depending on the estate planning tools utilized), when individuals die and leave property behind, their property cannot be distributed without going through "probate." The Texas Probate Code includes laws regulating the probate process itself. The Code also contains the law on wills, non-testamentary transfers, durable powers of attorney, and guardianship. The Texas Legislature provides online access to the Code. The Code is downloadable in .pdf and MSWord formats. - Texas Insurance Code
Many people choose life insurance as a means of providing for their loved ones after death. Life insurance proceeds can be distributed immediately upon the insured's death. Life insurance proceeds are not subject to the probate process. Title 7 of the Texas Insurance Code includes laws regulating life insurance. The Insurance Code also includes laws relating to charitable gift annuities (Chapter 102). The Texas Legislature provides online access to the Code. The Code is downloadable in .pdf and MSWord formats.
- U.S. Law: Wills & Estates
- Federal Tax Code (Title 26)
The federal government has the power to impose estate and inheritance taxes - taxes on the property you leave behind for your loved ones. However, only very large estates are subject to taxation. The government also has the power to impose gift taxes - taxes on the property you give away before you die. Generally, a gift of property worth less than $10,000.00 is not subject to taxation. Title 26 of the United States code contains the law on estate, inheritance, and gift taxes. The U.S. Government Printing Office provides online access to the Code.
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| Government, Agencies & Courts |
- U.S. Treasury Department
The official site of United States Treasury Department includes information on treasury products (e.g. T-bills, bonds) and estate/inheritance/gift taxes. - U.S. Internal Revenue Service
The official site of the United States Internal Revenue Service includes information on estate, inheritance, and gift taxes. - Texas State Courts
The official site for the Courts of Texas provides links to Courts at all levels of the Texas Court System. - Federal Courts
The official site of the U.S. Courts provides links to all Courts in the Federal System.
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| Links |
- SmartMoney.com
SmartMoney.com provides a variety of information on estate planning and estate planning tools. - Give.org - BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Give.org essentially provides a "background check" on charities. Individuals considering donating property to charity (whether as a gift while living or via their estate after death) can use give.org to research the charity of their choice.
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Arlene Glass The Glass Law Firm, P.C. (817) 335-8800 Fort Worth, TX |
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