Questions About Estate Tax

Do I Have To Pay Taxes On An Inheritance From A Foreign Relative?

If you have close relatives, like parents, who are citizens and residents of a foreign country, there is a chance you might receive a gift or inheritance from…

FAQs About Trusts

What Assets Are Protected From Creditors in Texas?

I get a lot of calls and emails from individuals interested in protecting their assets. Some ask whether it would be beneficial to create an asset protection…

Probate

Can I Disinherit my Spouse in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s laws provide a safeguard for surviving spouses. Under North Carolina law, a spouse can claim a certain share of your estate when you die, regardless of…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Can My Husband Give His Children Our Homestead If He Owned It Before We Married?

I received a note from a concerned wife. Her husband had purchased the home in which they resided two years before they were married. Throughout their marriage,…

Financial Powers of Attorney

What is a Texas Durable Power of Attorney?

A durable power of attorney is a written document that authorizes another person, known as an agent, to engage in specified business, financial and legal transactions on…

The Complexities of Intestacy in Blended Families

The Complexities of Intestacy for Blended Families in Texas

Having a will is important for every adult, but especially so if you are part of a blended family. Without a will, your assets will…

Uncategorized

Time is of the Essence with Estate Planning

“I don’t plan to die next week,” my clients often tell me. They convince themselves there is no urgency in completing or finalizing their estate plans. The truth is…

Estate Planning, Planning for Special Circumstances

Will Distributions from ABLE Account for Food or Shelter Reduce SSI Benefits?

What is an ABLE Account? An ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account is a type of savings account for individuals with disabilities and their families. The account…

Estate Planning, Planning for Special Circumstances

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas ABLE Accounts

Barrack Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience “(ABLE”) Act into on December 19, 2014. It requires each state to pass its own ABLE Act. Governor Greg…

Estate Planning, Planning for Special Circumstances

Estate Planning for Your Graduate

If you are the parent of a high school senior about to graduate, you’re probably feeling a whirlwind of emotion right now. I…