Resources

Estate Planning Gone Wrong

If you’re like me, you’ve probably received at least half a dozen emails like the one illustrated in the cartoon below:…

Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead!

Obituaries are typically an opportunity honor family members who have passed away with details about their lives, accomplishments and the people whose lives they…

What is a Muniment of Title?

Full administration of an estate is not always necessary. If an estate has no unpaid debts, except those secured by real property, and administration is not…

Can A Spouse Access Health Care Information Without A HIPAA Authorization?

A few weeks ago, my husband received a bill from a medical provider for some routine blood tests his physician had recommended. We had…

Sign A Durable Power of Attorney Before It’s Too Late

I got a message recently from a woman with questions about getting a power of attorney to handle her ailing father’s financial affairs. Her…

Does My College Student Need Estate Planning?

A couple of years ago, I wrote blog post titled “Three Estate Planning Documents Every College Student Needs.” The post was prompted by…

If You Don’t Have a Will, Texas Makes One For You

I received a phone call this week from a woman I’ll call Ellen, whose grandfather had succumbed to pancreatic cancer. His own children were unwilling to care…

Defining “Handwriting” for Purposes of a Holographic Will

In a post explaining the requirements of a valid will in Texas, I wrote that a holographic will…