Questions About Estate Tax

Repeal of Estate Tax Causes Problems with Bypass Trusts

NB: This article was published on April 19, 2010 and contains information that may be outdated. For current information regarding the estate tax, read: Estate…

Special Needs Trusts

Estate Planning for Special Needs Children

Estate planning is important for all families, but especially so for families with a special needs child.  This is because without appropriate estate planning,…

Requirements of a Valid Will

Are Videotaped Wills Recognized in Texas?

Texas recognizes only two types of wills: a holographic (handwritten) will, and an attested (typewritten) will. A videotaped will, in an of itself, has no legal…

Wacky Wills

Wacky Will Wednesday – Angel Pantoja Medina

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

Questions About Estate Tax

House May Consider Estate Tax in April

NB: This article was published on March 29, 2010 and contains information that may be outdated. For current information regarding the estate tax, read: Estate Tax Certainty…For Now.

FAQs About Probate

Say What? Probate Terminology Defined

Attorneys use a lot of words when talking about probate. However, in my conversations with friends and clients, I discovered that many people outside the legal community…

Wacky Wills

Wacky Wednesday: Wills That Make You Go “Hmmm…” – Samuel Bratt

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

FAQs About Wills

Do I Need to File My Will?

The Texas Estates Code provides a procedure for those wanting to deposit a will with the clerk of the court for safekeeping. The cost of depositing a will…

FAQs About Powers of Attorney and Directives, Planning for Special Circumstances

Why Do I Need a HIPAA Authorization?

What is HIPAA? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is a Federal law that required the establishment of national standards to protect the privacy…

Financial Powers of Attorney

Can I Select Someone Other Than My Spouse To Make Health Care Decisions for Me?

You are not required to name your spouse as your agent in your power of attorney.  You may choose another family member such as your children…