The internet has changed almost every aspect of our lives, some for the better, and some for worse. I read an article about a family in Arkansas that built a “3,500-square-foot, five-bedroom abode with a three-car garage and a two-story treehouse” using only online tutorials she...
There are strict rules governing lawyers’ professional responsibility to be ethical. The very first rule is that a lawyer has the duty to be competent in his representation of a client and to maintain competence by keeping up-to-date with any changes in the practice of...
We often get asked about joint bank accounts, and how an account owner’s death impacts the ownership of said account. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding what the right of survivorship designation can and cannot accomplish. In the January 2019 Texas Bar Journal, Gerry...
Did you know that there is a 40% tax that may apply when you give gifts to your grandchildren or great grandchildren? This federal tax is called the Generation-Skipping Transfer tax (GST tax). The GST may apply on gifts made during life and after death....
Have you looked at the back of your Texas Driver’s License lately? No? Go ahead and get it out of your wallet. I’ll wait . . . See those first two boxes? In an emergency, first responders can look at the back of your license to...
Most of the nursing home residents in Texas have their stay paid for, all or in part, by Medicaid. The cost of a monthly nursing home stay in Texas can vary from city to city but the average nursing homes cost is $5,931 or more...
Even the most organized, proactive person is often at a loss for “what to do next” when faced with the death of a loved one. Overwhelming grief and sadness often cloud decision making. However, there are practical steps that can to be taken to help...
Scam alert! Land recordings are public record. When you buy property or transfer it, the deed is recorded with the county clerk. You are able to get the recorded deeds for your property from the county clerk for a few dollars. However, sometimes homeowners receive...
Texas takes its constitution very seriously including safeguarding the residential homestead exemption. In fact, the Texas Tax Code implies that as long as you hold your property, you have the right to be there, and that no person or government can take it from you....
As an attorney who focuses solely on estate planning, part of my job is to counteract the urban legends that keep people from investigating Revocable Living Trusts (RLT) as a viable estate planning option. Trusts have an infamous reputation of being a tool used by...