Hales & Sellers Blog
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Hales & Sellers, PLLC is a law firm in Dallas, Texas that specializes in estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and funeral home negligence. Read blog posts on estate planning and probate published by Hales & Selers, PLLC, in Dallas.
Hales & Sellers Blog
3w ago
Funeral home negligence can cause significant emotional distress for families. When a funeral home fails to uphold its duties, it often leads to feelings of anguish, grief and emotional suffering. In Texas, those who suffer because of funeral home negligence may have the right to pursue compensation for emotional distress. However, proving emotional distress in a funeral home negligence claim…
The post Proving emotional distress in your funeral home negligence claim first appeared on Hales & Sellers, PLLC ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
1M ago
One of the most important decisions when planning for the future is whether to transfer your property to your children or heirs during your lifetime or leave it to them as an inheritance. Both choices have pros and cons, understanding them can guide you and help you make an informed and appropriate decision. The advantages of transferring property You might…
The post Transfer vs inheriting property: Which is better for your children? first appeared on Hales & Sellers, PLLC ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
2M ago
Navigating the probate process can be particularly challenging for a surviving spouse. However, understanding the rights and protections available can safeguard an inheritance. Understanding the probate process Probate is a legal process after someone dies that involves the settling of their estate. The process includes validating the will, paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the…
The post How can a spouse protect their inheritance during probate? first appeared on Hales & Sellers, PLLC ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
4M ago
Creating an estate plan is crucial, especially when you have children. One of the most important aspects is designating a guardian for your children. A guardian takes on the responsibility for the care and upbringing of your children if you cannot do so. This role includes providing a home, making medical decisions, and ensuring education. Understanding key factors for including guardianship in your estate plan is essential. Choosing a guardian Ultimately, your chosen guardian will oversee your children’s overall well-being. As such, it’s essential to choose someone who you can trust to make d ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
4M ago
An executor is responsible for managing and distributing the assets of an estate according to the decedent’s will and Texas state law. However, executors do not always fulfill their duties properly. Recognizing the signs of mismanagement can help beneficiaries to take action to protect their interests. 1. Delayed administration One of the first signs an executor does not manage an estate correctly is significant delays in the administration process. Unexplained or prolonged delays in paying debts, or distributing assets can indicate mismanagement or negligence. 2. Lack of communication A ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
6M ago
When families entrust a funeral home with the care of a loved one, they expect respectful and professional service. Unfortunately, some miss these expectations due to inexcusable carelessness. Families burying a relative should know the many ways a funeral home could fail in its duties. Mishandling of remains One of the most distressing forms of negligence from funeral homes is the mistreatment of remains. A coroner might not properly refrigerate a body, leading to premature decomposition. Embalming must follow strict protocols that preserve a person’s appearance until the day of burial. Such ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
6M ago
Executors and trustees play important roles in estate planning, but their responsibilities differ significantly. Understanding their responsibilities will help you know how to select the right people for the positions. Responsibilities of executors and trustees An executor manages the probate process, following the deceased person’s wishes according to their will. They handle tasks like collecting all of the deceased’s assets, paying debts and taxes and distributing the remaining assets as the will directs. They must also handle any legal filings required for the estate and meet all financial ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
8M ago
It can be hard to experience the loss of a family member, but it could be even worse if you wonder if your relative was in the right mind when signing their will. Unfortunately, some people create a will under undue influence, and it can happen when the signer is suffering from diminished mental capacity. A key question when determining if you should challenge a will in court is to figure out if the will signer suffered from a lack of testamentary capacity. What is testamentary capacity? Testamentary capacity defines the mental competence for creating a will. To have sufficient lucidity to com ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
9M ago
Planning for the future is important, especially when it comes to your loved ones. While you may focus on drafting wills and trusts as part of your estate planning process, one aspect you could overlook is funeral planning. Funeral plans encompass various arrangements made in advance for your burial and related expenses. Financial preparedness Funerals can be expensive, and the costs associated with them can impose a significant financial burden on your family. By outlining your funeral wishes and setting aside funds to cover these expenses in your estate plan, you reduce the financial stress ..read more
Hales & Sellers Blog
10M ago
Amid grief and sorrow, individuals turn to funeral homes for support during the challenging process of saying goodbye to a loved one. However, the unsettling truth is that funeral home negligence can shatter the fragile peace sought by grieving families. This leaves lasting impacts on their overall well-being. Long-term mental scars Discovering negligence in the services provided by a funeral home can be emotionally devastating. Families, already grappling with the loss of a cherished family member, find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of emotional turmoil. The betrayal of trust amplifies t ..read more