Summer is all about sunshine, travel, and spending quality time with the people you love. It’s also one of the best times to pause, reflect and finally check “create an estate plan” off your to-do list. If you’re planning a vacation, sending kids off to camp, or just enjoying a slower season at work, now …
Continue reading “Summertime is a Good Time for Estate Planning”
With the influx of people to Texas in the last few years, it occurs to me that many may not be familiar with the system of Probate in Texas. Probate is one of the most misunderstood and prehaps scariest words in the legal language, probate is simply the administration of a deceased person’s property or …
Perhaps it is a desire to maintain independence or the rising cost of skilled nursing care, but the fact is, many seniors want to stay in their homes as they age. However, if you are like me, raising your kids, working, trying to take care of yourself, and now caring for aging parents can be …
Many of my clients have heard me tell the story of my grandfather clock. My grandmother, Pauline K. Smith (MeMe), gave me this clock. Like many families, we had Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with our family at MeMe’s house. These traditional family get togethers are etched in my mind. One Easter, MeMe asked all in …
When someone becomes the executor of an estate or the trustee of a trust, one of their duties is to obtain a tax identification number for the estate or trust. This is known as an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and is issued to the estate or trust by the IRS for tax administration and reporting …
Last week, I provided some basic information about what you should do when someone dies. This week I thought I would provide a list of what you should pull together after the funeral. Sometimes it is tough when you are dealing with grief and all the events related to funerals or celebrations of life. My …
Handling the affairs of someone who has passed away is the norm for my office. However, I realize that for many, death comes as a shock. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a loved one, it can be overwhelming. However, don’t forget to take care of yourself and reach out to loved ones …
Dementia is a subject close to my heart. As anyone who has ever dealt with a loved one suffering from dementia knows, the cost are high and the stress of losing your loved one is tremendous. The GUIDE program, launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to improve the quality of …
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”
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 …
