Estate planning is a tricky business. With its complexity comes a lot of misconceptions - some of which can be extremely dangerous to your assets, your future and your loved ones! Don't fall in the trap of making these five estate planning mistakes.

It's important to update your estate plan as soon as possible after a divorce or remarriage in order to avoid future conflicts about assets.Unfortunately, many people don't take the time to update important documents after a divorce or remarriage. Having a blended family can create a unique legal situation when it comes to wills, estates, and beneficiaries. An experienced attorney can guide you through the steps needed to update your estate planning roadmap. Here are four important pieces of information to help you understand all the intricacies of estate planning for blended families.

Probate is the court process used to determine the validity of a will and oversee the payment of creditors and distribution of estate assets. The process begins with the appointed executor coming forth with the deceased person’s original will. If an original will cannot be produced, additional evidence will be required. If there is no will or copy, the court will appoint an administrator, either a direct family member or, if necessary, a neutral third party.

Planning for the future is important for everyone, regardless of age, health, or financial status. You never know when it will be your time to go and you want to make sure that your loved ones will be taken care of after your passing. However, the growth of nontraditional families with divorces, multiple marriages, and stepchildren – or “blended families” – have made the estate planning process even more complicated.

As we merge from the holiday season, no what holiday you celebrate, the one element we all have in common is family. And our families are aging. According to the Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Aging, by 2030 people over the age of 65 will represent 19% of the population.

While there is little empirical evidence connecting autism in children to the divorce of the child's parents, it is without saying that the situation is stressful. Even without the factor of special needs added, divorce is a long and tedious process.Of course one of the main things you'll think of when the word divorce comes up in conversation is lawyers and legal proceedings, and possibly even countless arguments. Also, you'll start thinking about the emotional effects the divorce will have on your children. But what you should be focusing on is the planning that needs to happen for your autistic child now that your decisions will be split, as well as many assets.

In elder law, some of the most commonly used terms among attorneys can be hard to understand for a client. Two of those terms are guardianship and power of attorney. Although similar, the two are very different in a court of law. If you're looking to start the elder care process, you should be sure to know what exactly you are needing to protect the care of your loved ones.

As the New Year begins it brings along New Year’s resolutions. Whether you challenge yourself to diet, learn an instrument or save money, your resolution is a goal for a better future. Estate planning is a New Year’s resolution that is practical and necessary. Estate planning is usually not thought of until it is too late, but making it a New Year’s resolution will leave you planned, prepared and ready.

The long-term health care management of a loved one can put a tremendous physical and emotional burden on a family. What happens to my elderly loved one if I get sick or leave town? Who will care for my disabled or special needs child if my spouse and I should die? Many people throughout Houston and the surrounding area faced with these and other questions do not wish to pass their responsibility on to other family members.

As medical technology advances and life spans increase, many Americans fear the financial strain that rising long-term care costs will have on their life savings. Proper planning can help alleviate many of those fears.