Who Gets the Life Insurance Proceeds?
Executive summary Introduction When you purchase life insurance, you may designate a beneficiary to receive the proceeds upon your death. The person you designate as a beneficiary will receive the full funds from your policy. You can name a single beneficiary if you choose to do so. However, it is advisable to name both a […]
What Happens When a Beneficiary Is Living In an Inherited House?
Inheriting real estate with other people can be challenging, particularly when one of the beneficiaries is living in the house owned by a deceased loved one. This scenario commonly occurs when siblings jointly inherit their parent’s home and one of the siblings is living in the home—this situation can lead to increased family tensions during an already […]
What Is a Petition for Determination of Descent/Heirship?
Executive summary Introduction When a beneficiary or heir is either left out of a probate petition or believes they should be entitled to receive some benefit from an estate, they can file a Petition for Determination of Descent, also sometimes referred to as a determination of heirship. Through this petition, they can request that the […]
What To Do If an Executor Is Not Communicating With Beneficiaries?
Executive summary Introduction If an executor is not communicating with beneficiaries, it can lead to trouble. An executor is responsible for carefully managing an estate in a way that aligns with the best interests of the beneficiaries, the deceased party, and the estate as a whole—this responsibility is known as a fiduciary duty. If an […]
Who Has More Rights, a Trustee or the Beneficiary?
When comparing a trustee and a beneficiary of a trust, it is difficult to say who has “more rights,” as they each have completely different roles, powers, and responsibilities. While the trustee has a great deal of authority to administer the trust and manage its affairs, they also are bound by a fiduciary duty to […]
How Do I Get My Siblings Out of Our Deceased Parents’ House?
If your adult siblings refuse to leave your deceased parents’ house, there are legal actions you can take. The appropriate course of action for your situation will depend largely on who inherited the home. For instance, if the sibling did not inherit the home, whoever received ownership can pursue an eviction. However, under Texas law, […]