As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout Texas and the rest of the United States, the importance of estate planning has come into sharp focus for many individuals and families. While the mortality rate remains relatively low, the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 is still hugely significant; and, for families who have lost loved ones, the effects of the virus are all too real.

For many people, the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis have resulted in less hours at work, reduced pay and lost jobs. For those who have alimony and child support obligations, this can present particular challenges. In addition to paying for their housing, utilities, gas and other daily living expenses, former spouses who owe alimony and child support must find a way to satisfy these additional obligations as well. This is a scenario our McKinney family lawyers are seeing with increasing frequency during the pandemic.

While the COVID-19 crisis has put many aspects of life on hold, it has also created an enormous amount of new stress for many families. From spending months on end in close quarters to dealing with financial strain caused by business closures and job losses, the COVID-19 crisis has negatively impacted couples in Texas in many different ways. If you were considering a divorce before the crisis began, or if the crisis has forced you to reexamine your marriage, we encourage you to speak with one of our McKinney divorce lawyers about your situation.

A will is perhaps the most well-known type of estate planning document, and with good reason. Even if you use other tools to transfer the majority of your assets outside of probate, having a will can still serve a number of important purposes.

Most people who consider asking their fiancé to sign a premarital agreement do so for one primary reason: They have substantial assets that they want to protect in the event of a divorce. While this is a completely valid reason to broach the subject of signing a “prenup,” there are a number of other reasons to consider a premarital agreement as well – and many of these other reasons apply equally to both soon-to-be-spouses.

If you have decided to divorce, one of the first major steps in the process will be to inform your spouse of your decision. This is usually done in one of two ways: (i) by serving your spouse with divorce papers, or (ii) with a conversation that begins, “We need to talk.”

Child support and custody issues present unique challenges and require careful consideration in light of each family’s unique circumstances. The children’s best interests must always be the top priority; however, getting both parents to agree what is “best” can sometimes be easier said than done, and there are statutory guidelines that must be followed in all child support and custody matters.

For individuals seeking to incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans, there are a variety of options available. Charitable trusts provide opportunities to make a difference while also preserving wealth for your family, while a private foundation can help you establish a legacy that will last for generations.   

Whether you are a mother, you believe you are a child’s father or you need to disprove that you have a biological relationship with a child, establishing paternity is important for a variety of different reasons. While a child born naturally to a husband and wife is presumed to be the husband’s biological child in Texas, in all other circumstances, establishing paternity requires additional legal steps. This could be as simple as filing an Acknowledgement of Paternity (if everyone is in agreement on the child’s paternity), or as complicated as going through a contested paternity proceeding in Texas state court.

If you have recently lost a loved one and are preparing to go through the probate process, there is a lot you need to know. While probate can be confusing, it does not have to be scary, and understanding what you can expect during the process will help alleviate some of the stress involved.