In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law adopting the Transfer on Death Deed (“TODD”). The TODD was adopted, presumably, as an alternative to probating an estate simply for the purpose of clearing title to real estate. More plainly, if you only own a home,...
Millions of homeowners across the country are refinancing to take advantage of the lowest mortgage interest rates in recent history. If you have a Revocable Living Trust, most likely your home is titled (or at least it should be titled) in the name of your...
Every week, we encounter many different types of wills from those created using an online self-help product to those hastily scribbled on the back of a napkin before a medical procedure. The family and friends of the testator (the will’s author) are often surprised that...
Some people say that probate is easy. The definition of easy is often based on perspective and experience. For example, a DMV employee might think it is easy to obtain or renew a driver’s license. However, over the past two years there have been numerous...
My great grandma inherited the farm where she worked when the owner died. The owner’s children had all passed away before him, and he said, in his will, that she was the hardest worker and he left her what she had worked so hard on...
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...
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...
Intellectual property refers to ideas, creations, inventions, and artistic works. You may have protected your works with a copyright, patent, or trademark, but have you considered what happens to those works when you die? How do you leave your works to those that you intend...