MYTHS ABOUT PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING PART TWO As with the famous and diets, myths abound in estate planning and probate too. We’ve compiled our TOP TWELVE LIST that we are sharing in five installments. Myth #3: Spouses inherit everything. Depending on your family, your spouse may not be the heir at law or [...]
As with the famous and diets, myths abound in estate planning and probate too. We’ve compiled our TOP TWELVE LIST that we are sharing in five installments. Myth #1: The best way to handle estate planning is with beneficiary designations. This is almost never true. Beneficiaries designations have at least two flaws: inflexibility and avoidance [...]
It seems obvious that a pre-marital agreement must be entered before marriage, right? Well, have you ever heard of a post-marital agreement? They exist, and the only difference between them is whether you sign one before or after you are married. Which is why we prefer to call these agreements "Marital Property Agreements." Marital Property [...]
Inheritance issues can be frustrating and unclear. In some cases, you may not even know whether you’re entitled to anything. In others, you know you’re supposed to receive an inheritance - but nothing has happened. In Texas, there is no formal “reading of the will,” which means you may not be automatically notified if you [...]
We live in a digital world where documents are scanned, emailed, and electronically signed every day. Even high-value transactions, like real estate deals, are often completed entirely online, which is perfectly valid. Many people store important documents on their computers or in the cloud. But when it comes to certain critical documents are copies alone [...]
Herman Moncure - Shareholder | Practice Group Leader – Estate Planning Herman Moncure is a partner at Pyke Balen & Moncure, P.C. and serves as Practice Group Leader for the firm’s Estate Planning practice. His path to estate planning was shaped by personal experience, professional discipline, and a deep understanding of the [...]
James Balen – Shareholder | Practice Group Leader – Probate & Guardianship James Balen is a partner at Pyke Balen & Moncure, P.C. and serves as Practice Group Leader for the firm’s Probate and Guardianship practice. He has dedicated his entire legal career to probate-related matters, bringing deep procedural knowledge and steady [...]
A trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to place assets under the control of a trustee for the benefit of someone else. Instead of distributing assets outright, a trust provides structure, oversight, and long-term planning. Trusts are often used to: Protect beneficiaries from creditors Provide for minor or incapacitated beneficiaries Preserve needs-based government [...]
In Texas, contesting a will is a serious legal step that involves specific deadlines under state law. If you're wondering how long you have to contest a will, the answer depends on the stage of the probate process, but the key statute of limitations is generally two years. The Primary Deadline: Two Years from Admission [...]
Pyke & Associates, P.C. is pleased to announce that James Balen and Herman Moncure have been admitted as partners, effective January 1, 2026. In recognition ofthis milestone, the firm will be known going forward as Pyke Balen & Moncure, P.C. consisting of six attorneys, four legal assistants, and two support staff, with continued growth [...]