Recent Blog Posts
Can You Disinherit a Child in Texas? (What the Law Allows and What It Doesn’t)
Parents do not always want their children to inherit their property. Estrangement, concerns about a child’s financial decisions, blended-family dynamics, or a desire to leave more to other loved ones can all influence estate planning decisions. But can you legally disinherit a child in Texas? In most cases, yes. Texas law generally allows parents… Read More »
Do All Estates Have to Go Through Probate in Texas?
When someone dies in Texas, their family may assume that everything they owned must go through probate court. That is not necessarily the case. Not all assets have to pass through probate, and not every estate requires a full probate administration. Whether probate is necessary depends on several factors, including how the deceased person’s… Read More »
How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is an important first step in protecting your family, your assets, and your wishes. But an estate plan is not something you should create once and then put away permanently. As your family, finances, property, and goals change, your estate plan may need to change with them. So, how often… Read More »
What Happens if There Is No Will in Texas? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Probate Process
No one likes to think about what will happen after they pass away. Unfortunately, many Texans die without a valid will or other estate planning documents in place. When this happens, they are said to have died intestate, and their estate is distributed according to the Texas Estates Code, regardless of whether they may… Read More »
Estate Planning for Business Owners in Texas
For many entrepreneurs, their business is more than just a source of income; it is a legacy built through years of hard work, sacrifice, and investment. Yet while business owners often devote significant time to growth and operations, many fail to adequately plan for what will happen to the business if they become incapacitated… Read More »
What Happens If Your Executor Refuses to Serve in Texas?
Choosing an executor is one of the most important parts of creating a will. An executor is responsible for managing the probate process, gathering estate assets, paying debts, and distributing property according to the terms of the will. Many people name a trusted family member or close friend to serve in this role, assuming… Read More »
Independent vs. Dependent Administration in Texas: What’s the Difference?
When a loved one passes away, the probate process is often necessary to settle their estate. Yet, probate is not a one-size-fits-all system, especially in Texas. Here, the court may oversee the estate through either independent administration or dependent administration. Understanding the difference between these two approaches is critical, as it can significantly impact… Read More »
Estate Disputes & Will Contests: What to Do When Someone Challenges the Will or Trust
Even the most carefully drafted estate plan can become the subject of conflict after a person passes away. Emotions often run high when money, family relationships, and long-standing grievances intersect, and it is not unheard of for beneficiaries or excluded relatives to question the validity of a will or trust. In Texas, these disagreements… Read More »
Special Needs Planning: ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts & Government Benefit Integration
Planning for a loved one with a disability requires careful coordination of financial resources, public benefits, and long-term care considerations. For families in Harris County, Houston estate planning attorney Leigh B. Meineke helps create estate plans that protect eligibility for essential government programs while providing financial security and quality of life. Special needs planning… Read More »
Prenup v. Will: Which One Controls?
For married couples in Texas, estate planning often involves more than drafting a will. Many spouses also enter into prenuptial agreements before marriage, particularly when one or both parties have significant assets, children from a prior relationship, or business interests to protect. A common and important question that arises later is this: If a… Read More »
