FAQs About Estate Planning, FAQs About Powers of Attorney and Directives

Does My College Student Need Estate Planning?

A couple of years ago, I wrote blog post titled “Three Estate Planning Documents Every College Student Needs.” The post was prompted by…

How Property Distributed When Someone Dies Without A Will

If You Don’t Have a Will, Texas Makes One For You

I received a phone call this week from a woman I’ll call Ellen, whose grandfather had succumbed to pancreatic cancer. His own children were unwilling to care…

Requirements of a Valid Will

Defining “Handwriting” for Purposes of a Holographic Will

What Is a Holographic Will? A holographic will is a handwritten will that is entirely in the testator’s own handwriting and signed by them.

FAQs About Wills

How Many Witnesses Need to Sign A Will In Texas?

Texas recognizes two types of written wills and the witness requirements are different for both. Holographic Wills are Wills that are completely in the…

Questions About Estate Tax

IRS Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages For Federal Tax Purposes

A couple of months ago, after the Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional, I explained that there was…

FAQs About Powers of Attorney and Directives, Financial Powers of Attorney

What is the Difference Between Medical and Durable Power of Attorney?

A durable power of attorney is a written document that creates an agency relationship between the person granting authority and an agent, or attorney-in-fact, the person to…

FAQs About Dying Without A Will

Will My Wife Inherit All My Separate Property If I Die Without A Will?

Most people may assume that if they are married and die without a Will in Texas, their surviving spouse will inherit their entire estate. This is…

Special Needs Trusts

Would You Like A Will With That Special Needs Trust?

Several parents have contacted me recently about setting up stand-alone special needs trust for their children. Unlike a supplemental needs trust that is created in a…

Planning for Special Circumstances

FAQs About The Rights of Same-Sex Couples After DOMA Ruling

Seattle estate planning attorney,Wendy S. Goffe, a wrote an excellent and informative guest post for Forbes answering some frequently asked questions regarding the rights of same-sex couples…

Planning for Special Circumstances

Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples in Texas After DOMA Ruling

Last week, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) is unconstitutional.