Uncategorized, Wacky Wills, Wills

Even Ancient Egyptians Wrote Wills!

Last July, I stumbled upon an ancient Will while visiting the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. As an estate planning lawyer, I was delighted.  Will of Naunakhte The Will, written…

Choosing a Guardian

How to Name a Guardian For Your Children

The part of estate planning that most parents struggle with is naming a guardian for their children. For some parents, the process of selecting a guardian is…

Financial Powers of Attorney

Can An Incapacitated Person Make or Revoke a Durable Power of Attorney?

Generally, you can amend your durable power of attorney by signing a new durable power of attorney. You also have the right to revoke or terminate your durable…

FAQs About Probate

What Happens if I Inherit a House with a Mortgage?

If you have inherited a house with a mortgage, you may be wondering what your options are. This is especially the case in light of today’s high…

Odds and Ends

An Empty Nest

I remember standing in the checkout line at Babies-R-Us more than 23 years ago. My first baby was just a couple of weeks old, sleeping soundly on my…

FAQs About Trusts

What are the Requirements of a Valid Trust in Texas?

Creating a valid trust in Texas requires meeting specific statutory requirements. These requirements, outlined in Texas Property Code, Title 9, Subtitle B, Chapter 112, ensure the trust…

Requirements of a Valid Will

Does a Typewritten Will in Texas Need Witnesses If It is Notarized?

To be valid, a typewritten Will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, even if notarized. Unfortunately, her mother didn’t know that. Her mother had signed…

FAQs About Dying Without A Will, Intestacy

Can An Adopted Child Inherit From Biological Parents?

Attorney Rania Combs explains whether adopted children can inherit from both biological parents and adoptive parents under the Texas Intestacy Statutes.

Estate Planning, Retirement and End of Life Care, Uncategorized

How to Talk with Someone who is Grieving

Attorney Rania Combs provides some helpful tips for navigating conversations with someone who is grieving after the loss of a loved one.

Estate Planning

Lady Bird Deeds vs. Texas Transfer on Death Deeds: Key Differences, Benefits, and Which Is Best for You

Both Lady Bird Deeds and Texas Transfer on Death Deeds  allow property owners to transfer real estate to heirs without the need for probate. While they share many similarities,…