Estate Planning Resources

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

Does Every Estate Have To Pay An Estate Tax?

Most clients I work with voice concern about the amount of federal estate taxes that their families will have to pay after their death. They have heard about the “death tax” and worry that the

The Power of Beneficiary Deemed Owner Trusts for Retirement Assets

If you have a large retirement asset that you intend to pass to your beneficiaries in trust, consider updating your estate plan to include Beneficiary Deemed Owner Trusts (BDOT) provisions. In the wake of the

What is a Miller Trust?

Texas is one of 12 states that have an income cap to qualify for Medicaid long-term care. That means some people who need nursing home care have too much monthly income to qualify for Medicaid,

Who Makes Medical Decisions in Texas If There Is No Medical Power of Attorney?

If you become incapacitated in Texas and haven’t signed a Medical Power of Attorney, state law determines who can make medical decisions on your behalf. The law is rigid, and the person legally authorized to

Can I Make Handwritten Changes To a Typewritten Will?

Many people assume they can make simple handwritten changes to a typed Will—cross out a name, add a line, initial the change, and be done. But under Texas law, it’s not that simple. Whether those

What are the Inheritance Rights of Half-Siblings When Someone Dies Without a Will?

When someone dies without a Will in Texas, siblings inherit only if a spouse, descendants, or parents do not survive the deceased person. When there is a surviving spouse, descendants, or parents, their inheritance rights

Designing a Trust if Asset Protection is Your Goal

Attorney Rania Combs explains how to design a spendthrift trust for beneficiaries if asset protection is your goal.

Trapped Inside Your Body: Would you Choose to Live?

As someone who helps people plan their end-of-life wishes, I often discuss advance directives with clients to prepare for situations when they can’t speak for themselves and loved ones must make difficult decisions. A recent

Special Needs Trusts FAQs: Answers for Parents of Children with Special Needs

If you are a parent of a child with special needs, a special needs trust (SNT) should be an essential part of your estate planning. Without one, leaving assets directly to your child—whether through a

Beneficiary Designations: A Critical Component of your Estate Plan

Estate planning isn’t just about having a well-drafted will or trust. One of the most important yet frequently overlooked aspects is the proper management of beneficiary designations. These designations can override your will and significantly

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