This has been the wettest Summer in a long time. The recent rains have resulted in flooding in areas not previously affected and unfortunately, in deaths in the Hill Country. While there are a number of possible reasons, highway expansion, construction of new homes/subdivisions, silt build up in area lakes and creeks, the resulting flooded …
Continue reading “Read Your Insurance Policy – It is Hurricane Season”
Several years ago, I completed Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. I enjoy listening to Dave Ramsey’s podcast and recently read The Total Money Makeover Updated edition. With many people having participated in similar programs and everyone’s focus on our Nation’s debt, I thought I would review some simple areas of personal finance. Nothing in this …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Social security cards, birth certificates, marriage licenses, tax papers — we all have a number of documents in our home that it is important to keep safe. Unfortunately, I have had several clients with unexpected disasters like floods and fires or simply misplacing these items in a messy room. In Texas, we are subjected to …
Many families deal with loved ones who have unexpected events in life that lead to incapacity. Whether it is a fall, heart attack or some other medical emergency, you should be prepared. Therefore, in this weeks’ column I will discuss planning for incapacity and explain the alternatives. What does the term “incapacitated” mean? An adult …
Recent research revealed that approximately a third of Americans who inherit money end up with negative savings within two years. Among those who inherit $100,000 or more, almost one in five lose it all through spending, donations, or mismanagement. If you’re about to inherit, there are several measures you can take to ensure your newfound …
