The Journal

Navigating the complexities of probate, estate planning, and inheritance.

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September 27, 20264 min readPlanning Ahead

Who Will Care for Your Pet After You Die?

How to choose a caregiver for your pet, cover the first few days, and pay for long-term care. Includes what a Texas will can do and how a pet trust works.

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Planning Ahead5 min read

Life Insurance and Estate Liquidity: Who Gets the Money?

An estate can hold a house or business and still have little cash for bills. A life insurance policy may help, but the beneficiary form decides who receives the money and whether the executor can use it.

July 14, 2026

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Planning Ahead9 min read

529s, Roth IRAs, UTMAs, and Trump Accounts

How the four main accounts for a child's future compare: 529 plans, custodial Roth IRAs, UTMA accounts, and the new Trump Accounts opening July 4, 2026.

July 3, 2026

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Planning Ahead7 min read

Wills vs. Living Trusts in Texas

When a living trust earns its $2,000 to $5,000 cost in Texas, and when a simple will plus independent administration does the same job for far less.

July 3, 2026