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Dying Without A Will in Texas Can Leave Behind Legal Nightmares for your Loved Ones

Dying without a Will in Texas can cause problems for your family.

Adobe Stock/ Author: JenkoAtaman

As an attorney who is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, I am routinely asked why clients need a Last Will and Testament or what will happen to their assets if they die without one. Here’s the reality: dying without a Will in Texas can cause big problems, additional expenses, and delays for your loved ones. However, while not having a Will can cause problems, the good news is that proper planning doesn’t have to be difficult and it can do wonders to protect your family’s inheritance.

Facing the Facts:

When you die, your property has to go somewhere; and, under Texas law, it immediately passes to someone else (in legal theory, property “always” has an owner). If you have a Will, the title to that property will transfer in accordance with your wishes.  If you die without a Will, your property will pass according to the statutory scheme found in the Texas Estates Code. The Code outlines how your property will be divided amongst your family members. In most cases, the outline depends on whether you have a surviving spouse, children, or other living blood relations.

Dying Without a Will in Texas, leaves the courts to decide where your assets go.

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If You’re Single

If you’re single without children, the Texas Estates Code usually makes your parents and/or siblings the heirs of your estate. So your pets, car, retirement funds, and even your graphic t-shirt collection will most likely go to them.

If one or both parents already passed, your property will be given to your siblings – even if you don’t have the best relationship with them. However, if you draft a Will directing who you want to receive your assets, you can leave your most precious items with those who you love the most.

If you’re engaged

If you’re soon to be married, but die before you create a Will or say “I do,” unfortunately, your fiancé won’t receive anything from your estate. As sad as this is, they aren’t legally considered family yet, and the courts will focus on lineal or biological family members. This fact can be especially hard to digest if you live with your significant other and never have been formally married.

To ensure your loved one receives the assets you want them to,  you have to create a Will with them included. It can be a certain item or even a percentage of things you want them to receive, the choice is yours.

If you’re married

If you’re married and die without a Will in Texas, determining how your assets are distributed becomes even more complex.  How assets are distributed is based solely on whether they are classified as “community” or “separate” property.  Under Texas law, community property is every single item acquired during your marriage to your spouse. Separate property is defined by assets received prior to marriage, by gift, by device, or by bequest.

After each asset receives its classification, the Texas Estates Code determines how the asset is split.  For example: if I am married with children (one of which is from a previous relationship), my surviving spouse is only entitled to retain her ½ of the community property and only 1/3 of my separate property.  The remaining interest in the community property my spouse and I share is given to my children.  2/3rds of my separate property passes only to my children while my spouse receives the remaining 1/3.

How can you avoid this?

Dont Die Without A Will, Draft your estate plan as soon as you can.

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Simple: hire a lawyer to draft an estate plan. Having an estate plan minimizes confusion, allows the family to grieve in peace, and can avoid the need for prolonged or expensive court involvement if set up correctly.

Getting started on an estate plan doesn’t have to be time-consuming, frustrating, or uncomfortable. At Parvin Law, we offer 3 packages for those needing the basics or those with complex relationships. Our business is your family, and we take your problems seriously. Call us today to discuss how we can give your family peace of mind and security in the future.