Estate Planning Resources

Articles and guides to help you understand your options for protecting your family and your assets in Texas and North Carolina.

Wacky Wednesday: Wills That Make You Go “Hmmm…: Reuben John Smith

Reuben John Smith wanted to make sure he had a comfortable place to sit for eternity. So when he died in 1899, he directed that his body be placed in a tomb sitting on a

Is Married Beneficiary’s Interest in a Trust Separate or Community Property?

Texas defines separate property as property owned before marriage or acquired by gift or inheritance. For example, if you purchased a house before you were married, the house would be your separate property. Likewise, if

Can Life Support Be Withheld If A Patient Has Not Signed A Directive To Physicians?

Most Americans have not executed basic estate planning documents. Studies show that more than half of Americans have not executed a basic will. Even fewer have executed durable powers of attorney and medical powers of

Who Will Take Care of My Pets After I Die?

My dog’s name is Jilly. My family adopted her several months after Elway died. We weren’t really looking to adopt another pet so quickly, but we happened to visit the shelter, and saw her. The

How is an Out-Of-Hospital DNR Different from a Directive to Physicians?

A directive to physicians, also known as a living Will, is a document that allows you specify what kind of life-sustaining treatment should be administered or withheld if you are diagnosed with an irreversible or

Keeping the Peace from Beyond the Grave

It’s every parent’s dream to maintain close relationships with all their children as they age. But sometimes, things don’t turn out as parents plan. The reasons vary. A conflict with a child’s spouse or a

Prepare for the Death of the Stretch IRA

No laws affecting retirement plans are final yet, but there are certain changes on the horizon that may require tweaks to your estate plans. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (“SECURE”) Act recently

Can I Name a Relative Who Lives Abroad as Guardian of My Children?

A colleague in a listserv to which I subscribe asked an interesting question: Can parents name a relative who lives in a foreign country as guardian of their children? Here’s the situation: The clients are

Is Property My Spouse and I Owned in Another State Community Property or Separate Property?

John and Jane Doe didn’t always live in Texas. Earlier in their marriage, they lived in another state, where John purchased a house the couple lived in and raised their children. Although they have since

What are the Rights and Responsibilities of a Life Tenant in Texas?

In Texas, life tenant has important legal rights and responsibilities when occupying property under a life estate. Understanding these key legal insights helps ensure compliance with Texas law and prevents disputes between life tenants and

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