Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning, Newsworthy

Where there’s a Will…

A few weeks ago, a journalist emailed me to ask if she could interview me for an article she was writing. The article she wrote appeared in the…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Can I Change My Will Before My Divorce is Final?

There is a Texas statute that prohibits Courts from entering any orders that prevent parties in a divorce proceeding from changing his or her Will. Section 253.001 of…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Should I Name My Estate as the Beneficiary of my IRA?

A client was confused. He knew that the federal estate tax only applied to estates in excess of $11 million, so he didn’t understand why significant taxes…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning, Financial Powers of Attorney, Incapacity

Avoiding Guardianship in Old Age

A few weeks ago, a client alerted me to an episode of the John Oliver show about guardianships gone wrong. A guardian is someone appointed by…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Can a Relative Notarize My Estate Planning Documents?

According to the Texas Secretary of State, there is no rule that specifically prohibits a notary from notarizing documents for a relative; however, notaries should refrain from notarizing…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning, Questions About Estate Tax

Will My Estate Have to Pay an Estate Tax?

NB: For information on the current state of the estate tax in light of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, click here. One of the biggest issues…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning, The Texas Transfer on Death Deed

Can I Use a Transfer on Death Deed to Transfer My Car Without Probate?

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…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Will Your Surviving Spouse Disinherit Your Children

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…

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Can I Name Someone Other Than My Spouse As Beneficiary Of My 401(k)?

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.

Estate Planning, FAQs About Estate Planning

Do I Need to Execute a Lady Bird Deed before Applying for Medicaid?

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…