Austin Probate Lawyer

According to a survey conducted by FindLaw.com, 58% of adult Americans do not have a will, one of the most standard documents in any estate planning strategy. The study also found that age was a significant factor; Americans over the age of 50 were much more likely to have a valid will than those younger in age.

People without a will have little or no control over how their assets would be distributed in the event of their death; most of their property would be distributed in accordance with the applicable intestacy statutes.

Make sure your property is distributed to the people you want after your death. Call Austin estate planning lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

According to the New York Times, people living today should not expect much of an inheritance from their parents. A variety of factors, including a trend towards luxury spending by the elderly, are cutting into the possibility of leaving something behind for one’s children.

Increasing life expectancy and rising healthcare costs are also a significant factor in reducing the size of peoples’ “nest eggs,” which have already been hit by a decline in the number of traditional pension plans.

For more information on inheritance and other probate issues, contact Austin inheritance lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431.

Trouble, the beloved pet of infamous real estate tycoon Leona Helmsley, will lose the majority of his enormous $12 million inheritance, according to a settlement between the executor of Helmsley’s will and two of the late mogul’s disinherited grandchildren.

Craig Panzirer and Meegan Panzierer Wesolko argued successfully that their grandmother was not of sound mind when she disinherited them in the last version of her will. In addition to awarding $4 million and $2 million to Panzirer and Wesolko, respectively, the terms of the settlement also strip $10 million from Trouble’s inheritance, to be put into a charitable foundation.

Contesting and defending wills can be a difficult process. Consult Austin probate lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP for assistance and advice regarding your probate law questions. Call 512-472-2431 today.

The son of multimillionaire British businessman Jimmy Swanston, is on trial for allegedly forging signatures on his father’s will. The case was raised by Jimmy Swanston’s mistress, Pat Powell, who claimed that he had assured her that he would be provided for after his death. When no mention of her appeared in his will, Powell contacted attorneys, who allegedly realized that witness signatures on the will were fake.

Swanston’s son Philip denied the allegations, stating that his father never intended to leave anything to his “girlfriend” in the will.

Making mistakes during probate can cause your loved ones pain for years to come. Don’t let this happen to you - contact an experienced Austin probate lawyer from Slater & Kennon, LLP today at 512-472-2431.

John and Jacqueline Motts were sentenced to 180 days in jail and lost their claim to a $400,000 inheritance after pleading guilty to exploitation of an elderly person.

After taking charge of his father’s finances, John Motts slipped into a pattern of lavish spending, emptying Clyde Motts’ bank account and failing to provide even enough money to cover nursing home bills, all the while hiding nearly $900,000 of Clyde’s estate in a mutual fund account.

Clyde Motts died in February. He was 99.

For more information on probate law, contact Austin probate lawyers Slater & Kennon, LLP at 512-472-2431 today.