If you die without a will, the State of Texas has a will for you and in many cases it is not the Will you would want. Dying without a Will in Texas means that the laws of the State of Texas control who gets your property (real estate, personal property, cars, cash, collections, etc.). Even if you are married, without a will your spouse may not get everything, especially if you have children with another person.
What is the difference between a living will and a last will and testament?
The basic difference is that a Last Will and Testament (commonly referred to as a Will) is used to handle and dispose of assets after death. A living will can be used to provide health care instructions in advance, such as whether or not life support is desired.
When do I need to review my estate plan?
You should review your Estate Plan at least every 5 years And you should especially review your Estate Plan when you have any life changes: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death of a loved one, it's always a good idea to review your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations to make sure they still reflect your current wishes. For instance, if you get divorced in Texas, any designations to your prior spouse are terminated under the law, so you need to make sure you have a current beneficiary designation.
