Estate beneficiaries sometimes sign releases in exchange for immediate payment rather than waiting for probate to conclude. These releases typically bar all future claims against the estate. Later, the beneficiary may discover reasons to challenge the release—perhaps claiming fraud or lack of consideration—and attempt to set it aside in a separate lawsuit. What happens when...KEEP READING

When deceased persons were partners in businesses that become involved in litigation years after their death, family members may attempt to transfer those business disputes to probate courts for consolidation with other estate-related proceedings. This strategy can seem attractive when multiple lawsuits involve similar issues or when probate courts already have jurisdiction over related trust...KEEP READING

When elderly parents become seriously ill, adult children who have been distant for years sometimes suddenly appear at the hospital bedside. These long-absent children may express newfound concern about their parent’s estate planning and suggest that existing wills need immediate revision. The parent, weakened by illness and facing dangerous medical procedures, may feel compelled to...KEEP READING

When someone changes their life insurance beneficiary shortly before death, the excluded beneficiary may suspect that undue influence played a role in the decision. Family members who previously stood to inherit substantial benefits often feel shocked and betrayed when they discover last-minute changes that redirect insurance proceeds to different relatives or acquaintances. These situations create...KEEP READING

When most people think about courts, they picture criminal trials or major civil lawsuits that make headlines. However, there’s one court system that touches virtually every family in America yet operates largely outside public view. These specialized forums make decisions about our most personal and valuable affairs—often with minimal oversight or appeal rights. In Bexar...KEEP READING

When a loved one dies, families often assume that probate courts simply rubber-stamp wills and distribute assets according to the deceased’s wishes. Many people view probate as a ministerial process where courts mechanically follow predetermined instructions without exercising meaningful oversight. This belief can lead to surprise when probate courts actively scrutinize estate matters, require detailed...KEEP READING