Recent Blog Posts
Inherited Mineral Rights: What Heirs Need to Know Before Selling or Leasing
Inheriting property in Oklahoma doesn’t always mean inheriting a house, farmland, or commercial property. Estates may include mineral rights that have been separated from the surface property for years. If you inherit mineral rights and are curious about selling or leasing them, it’s important to know what you own and how the decision to… Read More »
SB 2104: What Oklahoma’s Newest Trust Code Amendments Mean for Trustees and Beneficiaries
Oklahoma has put significant effort into refining its trust laws as a result of changes to the state’s trust framework. Senate Bill 2104 was signed into law in May 2026 and goes into effect on November 1, 2026. The changes it creates will affect trustees, beneficiaries, trust disputes, and settlement of trustee accounts. If… Read More »
Trust Accounting Disputes After the 2025 Trust Code Update: Challenging Fees, Expenses, and Distributions
Trust accountings are often the first time that beneficiaries suspect something is wrong. Trustees may have the authority to manage trust assets, hire professionals, pay expenses, and make distributions. But that authority doesn’t extend to producing vague records, making unexplained changes, paying excessive fees, or making distributions that are inconsistent with the terms of… Read More »
Operating Agreements That Prevent Probate Nightmares: Succession Clauses for LLCs When an Owner Dies
Oklahoma business owners may assume that forming an LLC keeps their business out of probate when they pass. However, that’s not always the case. If there aren’t clear succession provisions in the LLC’s operating agreement, your interest may still pass through probate when you die. This delays business operations and creates significant insecurity. Working… Read More »
Breach of Fiduciary Duty in Oklahoma Trusts: When Beneficiaries Can Sue a Trustee (and What They Need to Prove)
Trustees are meant to protect and manage trust property for the beneficiaries named in the trust. When that relationship works, beneficiaries receive distributions, get information on how the trust is being managed, and enjoy the benefits of responsible administration. But when trustees misuse funds, hide information, or favor one beneficiary, it’s important for beneficiaries… Read More »
Family Settlement Agreements and Mediation in Estate Disputes: When to Settle vs. Litigate in Oklahoma
Estate disputes aren’t often just about money. They’re a combination of fear about money, grief, long-standing family dynamics, and personal disagreements between family members. Disputes over wills, trusts, and estate administration can quickly become contentious in Oklahoma. When this happens, family members have to decide whether to resolve the dispute via mediation or proceed… Read More »
Protecting Real Estate and Rentals in Oklahoma: LLC and Trust Strategies That Reduce Lawsuit Exposure
Owning rental or investment properties in Oklahoma is a powerful wealth-building strategy, but it does come with legal risk. Tenant or visitor injuries, premises defects, disputes with contractors, and third-party claims can quickly turn a property into a huge financial liability. Insurance is not enough on its own. Many owners look into different ways… Read More »
How the 2025 Trust Code Changes Can Prevent (or Trigger) Litigation
In 2025, Oklahoma took a major step forward in trust law by adopting the Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code. This code brings clarity to a long list of trust concerns and modernizes trust administration, but it also means that those in charge of trusts must fully review these changes and know what their legal obligations… Read More »
Marriage, Business, and Blended Families: How to Protect Your Assets From Complex Life Events
Even a straightforward estate plan requires careful consideration of an individual’s goals, assets, and values. But when you add second marriages, blended families, and businesses into the equation, estate planning becomes even more complicated. This is why we recommend working with an Oklahoma estate planning lawyer who can learn about your goals and help… Read More »
Protecting Assets When a Loved One Has Special Needs
When you have a loved one with special needs, planning for the future is considerably more complicated due to federal and state regulations. This type of planning requires extensive financial foresight and an in-depth knowledge of the regulations that govern who does and does not qualify for Medicaid, SSI, and other state benefit programs…. Read More »
