Several years ago, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful and sweet lady in our office. Besides being a good attorney, she was always full of energy and smiling. After retirement, she and her husband moved to Pennsylviana to be close to family and enjoy grandkids. However, all that changed when she was …
When people think of estate planning, the first ideas that typically come to mind are of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship arrangements. Traditionally, those instruments have been closely associated with estate planning simply because they are legal tools exclusively dedicated to helping people pass on their assets or otherwise ensure that loved ones …
Last week I mentioned ABLE accounts as a possible tool for loved ones with disabilities, in this week’s column I decided to give a little more information on this subject. One account some families use to provide for special needs adults is the ABLE account, a tax-advantaged savings account for individuals with disabilities, named from …
Continue reading “Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014”
A family close to my heart recently experienced the loss of their second parent. The family includes an adult child with special needs. A family with a special needs child, even an adult child, faces unique challenges, so they need strategies that can help meet their family needs. I hope to share some useful information …
Continue reading “Estate Planning for Families of Special Needs Children”
We have seen a tremendous influx of people to Texas from other states in the past 5 years. Because estate planning is different for each state, new residents need to reconsider their existing estate plans in light of their recent move. Crossing borders can have profound and unforeseen implications for the future. Of course, Texas …
Continue reading “Welcome to Texas! Have you reviewed your Will?”
Most of us get together with our families at this time of year. It is a perfect time to make sure we communicate with our loved ones that we have a written plan and where to find it. A well-crafted, up-to-date estate plan will help to protect you and your family. Yet, Forbes reports that …
I missed getting an article out in September on Alzheimer’s disease, September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. However, this is a subject close to my heart because my father, Oliver James Moak, suffered from this condition. Over time, the disease can change a loved one into a seemingly different person. Caring for a loved one with …
While it is rare, there are sad situations in which families fight after someone dies. Even more rare are disputes that arise between parents and their children while still living. Most people have been raised to be respectful to their parents and elders. However, in today’s world, I fear respect is becoming a preciously rare …
It comes to me as second nature, but when you are entering a real estate deal, you should hire an attorney. I am amazed at how many verbal land sales and homemade contracts I see. Homemade deeds with incorrect or insufficient legal descriptions are common as well. If you are going to invest your hard …
Not too many folks in our area are farming, however, there are tree farms and a lot of ranching families. Farming and ranching aren’t just jobs. They’re a way of life, often passed down through generations. But without a proper estate plan in place, that legacy can slip away—sometimes in just one generation. All too …
