Estate Planning Resources

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

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

What is the Difference Between Per Capita, Per Stirpes, and Per Capita with Representation Distributions?

Per stirpes and per capita are commonly used terms in wills, trusts, and intestate distribution statutes to describe how a deceased person’s estate is to be distributed to his or her beneficiaries or heirs. But

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

Choosing the Right Healthcare Agent: Lessons from The Pitt

I recently started watching The Pitt, a new medical drama now streaming on Max. The second episode of the series had a storyline that illustrated the importance of choosing the right healthcare agent, and the

How a Spendthrift Trust Safeguards Inheritances

A spendthrift trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can help safeguard inheritances for beneficiaries who may be prone to poor financial decisions. Whether due to immaturity, addiction, or other personal struggles, some beneficiaries

Corporate Transparency Act Narrowed: What This Means for You

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted in 2021, was designed to combat money laundering and other illicit financial activities by requiring increased transparency in business ownership. It obligated many small and closely held entities to

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