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 …
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 …
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”
