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 …
Estate planning can be complex, especially when you own property in multiple states. This can raise various legal considerations, potentially complicate the probate process, and increase the administrative burden on your heirs. Understanding the nuances of managing such a diverse portfolio can help streamline the process and ensure your assets are distributed according to your …
Continue reading “Ownership of Out of State Property in Estate Planning”
After the Last Will and Testament, power of attorneys, and medical directives are created and the other crucial estate planning components are addressed, take some time to consider your unique family situation and the details that would make the transition more difficult to navigate following a death. As anyone who has lost a spouse or …
As the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature draws to a close, I thought it might be interesting to provide a legislative report covering significant bills impacting real estate matters in Texas. Senate Bill 17 SB 17 is one of several measures introduced this session aimed at restricting certain types of foreign ownership of …
Continue reading “Real Estate Matters In The 89th Regular Session”
While the simplicity of a Will driven estate plan in Texas is most favored, some situations dictate using a trust instead. Navigating the details of a trust in the pursuit of crafting an optimal estate plan can be overwhelming. All 50 states have different systems of probate. The ultimate purpose of probate is to transfer …
My Mother has always stressed the importance of water conservation to my family. As long as I can remember she said “Water is the most precious resource and we are going to run out.” There is a case before the Texas Supreme Court that could dramatically change ground water rights in Texas. So, in this …
When assisting families with real estate that has belonged to a family member, commonly there are questions about siblings which were either adopted, stepchildren or children from outside the marriage. Therefore, in this week’s column I will explain how each of these scenarios may affect inheritance rights. The inheritance rights of adopted children are protected …
Continue reading “INHERITANCE RIGHTS OF ADOPTED, HALF-BLOOD AND STEP CHILDREN”
If you are considering selling or buying real estate, or getting a divorce, drafting a Will or even forming a corporation, you will find advice at just about every stop you make. Co-workers may have said “You don’t need to hire an attorney. You can do it yourself.” Let me caution you to think very …
There is no escaping death. However, how you organize your affairs can make life much easier for your loved ones. The reality is,less than half of all Americans have even the most basic estate planning documents. As a result, they voluntarily give up their freedom to decide what will happen to their assets when they …
