Estate Planning

I went on a trip last month without knowing where I was going. My husband wanted to plan a surprise vacation for the family to celebrate his 50th birthday, so he kept our itinerary a

It’s that time of year again. High school seniors are preparing to graduate and head off to college, and parents are wondering how it’s possible that their children are all grown up! It’s a milestone

The Texas Transfer on Death Deed allows owners of real estate to transfer their property to beneficiaries outside the probate process. The Deed works like a beneficiary designation on an insurance policy or retirement plan.

I have written before that if you are part of a blended family, making an outright distribution to your spouse may result in your children from your prior marriage being disinherited. Why? Because when you

Is your elderly parent or grandparent involved in a new relationship with someone significantly younger? If so, beware. Thanksgiving may be a good time for you to get to know your parent or grandparent’s new

A concerned relative contacted me. Her cousin had been married for eight years before her recent death. Her deceased cousin had a son from a prior marriage. Her cousin started a 401(k) plan three decades

As an estate planning attorney, I’ve had the great privilege of working with many individuals who are nearing the end of their lives. Although elderly and sometimes not in the best of health, they don’t

A concerned daughter called me recently. She said she needed a Lady Bird Deed prepared by the end of the day. When I asked why she was in a rush, she explained that her mother

A lot of people mistakenly assume that all jointly-held property automatically passes to a surviving spouse when one spouse dies. That is not necessarily the case. Jointly-held property can be held as tenants in common

My family is going on vacation the end of June. It’s a trip we’ve been planning for more than six months, and we’re looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead. But something has