Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives

Can I Sign a Medical Power of Attorney for Someone Else?

I got a phone call from a man last week seeking information on how to revoke a Medical Power of Attorney. After talking to…

Wacky Wills

Wacky Will Wednesday: Wills That Make You Go “Hmmm…: Billy Standley

NB: This post is part of a series highlighting wills that contain some interesting, and sometimes bizarre, bequests and stipulations. You can see…

FAQs About Estate Planning, Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives

Will My End-of-Life Wishes Be Honored if I am Pregnant?

Erick Munoz’s nightmare began on November 26 when he found his wife, who was 14 weeks pregnant, lying unconscious on their kitchen. Although she was rushed to…

FAQs About Probate

Who is Qualified to Serve an Executor or Administrator of an Estate?

Section 304.003 of the Texas Estates Code identifies persons who are disqualified from serving as Executor or Administrator of an estate. This Section provides that a…

Probating a Will

Can a Non-Resident Serve as Executor of My Estate?

Ideally, we would all live near our loved ones. However, the reality of our global economy is that family members often live in another…

Financial Powers of Attorney

Can An Agent Use Principal’s Money to Purchase Real Estate for Herself?

Last week, I received a note from someone who was serving as her 97 year old mother’s attorney in fact. She wanted to cash…

Newsworthy

The Estates Code

The Probate Code has been around for more than five decades. However, on January 1, 2014, it was repealed and replaced with the Texas…

Newsworthy

Out With The Old, In With The New

This month marks my firm’s fourth anniversary, and big changes are happening in the way I serve my clients. In December, I started the…

Newsworthy

Ending the Year on a High Note

As the year quickly draws to an end, I received some unexpected surprises. A few weeks ago, I was quoted in a Texas Lawyer…

What To Do When Someone Dies Without A Will

How Do I Settle the Estate of a Person Who Dies Without a Will in Texas?

There are several methods of settling an estate of someone who dies without a valid will in Texas: Small Estate Affidavit A small…