Wacky Wills

Wacky Will Wednesday: Wills That Make You Go “Hmmm… “Rona Scroratow

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

How Can I Protect an Inherited IRA from Creditors?

If you’re like most Americans, one of your largest assets is your Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”). Your IRA is considered a “retirement fund” and the money it…

FAQs About Trusts

Living Trust Scams

Many of us have seen advertisements touting the benefits of a living trust. Salespersons who promote living trusts claim they can reduce taxes, protect assets from creditors, and…

Planning for Special Circumstances

Going Out With A Bang

Cremation is increasing in popularity. Currently more than 40 percent of people who die choose cremation, and the numbers are rising. According to recent…

FAQs About Wills

Can I Add a Self-Proving Affidavit to a Holographic Will?

I have written before about the benefit of adding a self-proving affidavit to an attested Will. Doing so typically save time and expense because it eliminates the…

FAQs About Wills, Wills

Who Can Witness My Will in Texas?

Witnesses have a very important role in Will executions. It’s their job to verify that the Testator executed his will and had testamentary capacity and intent to…

Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives

Storing Your Health Care Directives: There’s an App for That!

I have written before about the importance of having health care directives. These documents allow you to appoint a…

FAQs About Wills

What Types of Wills are Recognized In Texas?

Texas recognizes two types of written Wills. An attested Will is the most common type of Last Will and Testament. To be valid, it must…

Estate Planning, Planning for Special Circumstances

The Importance of Estate Planning in Non-Traditional Families

I got a heartbreaking call this week from a woman whose fiancé had recently died. They had been a couple for many years, and…

FAQs About Estate Planning

What Is An Estate?

Many years ago, a neighbor’s teenaged daughter asked me what type of law I practiced. When I told her I focused on estate planning,…