Estate Planning Archives | Cawlfield Law Firm

Apr 22 2020

A Comprehensive Guide to Estate Planning During the Coronavirus

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Covid-19, Estate Planning

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted regular routines for most people around the globe. Following the crisis, most states have closed local schools, ordered a cessation of restaurant dining services, and imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions. Texas, for example, has reduced the limit of people allowed to attend a public forum to 50. As you...

Mar 9 2020

Estate Planning – The Basics

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Estate Planning

Every adult should have a customized and comprehensive estate plan. Yet, the AARP reports that only 40 percent of Americans have a will—let alone the other estate planning documents that they need. In many ways, this is not a surprise: Estate planning can be intimidating. Many people want to protect themselves and their families, but...

Jul 15 2019

When you die, do your debts die with you? A Probate question.

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Estate Planning, Probate

The short answer is no, your debts do not die, or just go away, when you die. In fact, a claim by a creditor (for example, your credit card company), can live (almost) forever and become a real problem for the loved ones you leave behind if not handled properly. When you pass away, your...

May 13 2019

If I die, who will care for my children?

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Guardianship

If I die, who will care for my children? In Texas, the government, courts, and a judge (all strangers to your family and children) will decide who will raise your children if you die without leaving clear instructions behind. This can obviously lead to difficulties (delays, uncertainty, fighting) at a time when your children need...

May 6 2019

Trust Law

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Estate Planning, Trusts

A trust is a three-party fiduciary relationship in which the first party, the trustor or settlor, transfers (“settles”) a property (often but not necessarily a sum of money) upon the second party (the trustee) for the benefit of the third party, the beneficiary. A testamentary trust is created by a will and arises after the...

May 2 2019

Last Will and Testament

Posted by Eddie Cawlfield | Estate Planning, Wills

A will or testament is a legal document by which a person, the testator, expresses their wishes as to how their property is to be distributed at death, and names one or more persons, the executor, to manage the estate until its final distribution.

Apr 29 2019

What exactly is Estate Planning?