The will is the most well-known tool in estate planning, and it is often clients’ first choice for how to make sure their assets are transferred to loved ones after their death. The will can be useful in that it allows individuals to provide detailed instructions for their beneficiaries, and…
Unfortunately, the law around estate planning can be complex and technical in a way that makes it difficult to sort through. Fortunately, though, the law provides for a diverse array of options for those undergoing the estate planning process. Many of our clients come to us, for example, asking us…
In a recent case before a court of appeals in Texas, the widow of a property owner had to defend her claim to the property that her husband left her in his will. At issue in the case was how to interpret the wills of both the decedent and the…
In a recent case before an appeals court in Texas, the plaintiff sued a local firefighters’ relief fund, hoping to receive compensation after her loved one passed away. The plaintiff originally asked a trial court to rule that she was entitled to survivor’s benefits after the death of her significant…
When we speak to clients who have elderly parents, grandparents, or friends, one of their biggest concerns is that their loved ones will be taken advantage of through financial abuse. Financial abuse is incredibly common among elder individuals, and the most important thing that others can do is closely monitor…
As an estate planning firm, we get questions from many clients and potential clients about where to start when thinking about beginning the estate planning process. The process can feel daunting, and more than anything, our clients want the peace of mind that their family members will be taken care…
At McCulloch & Miller, we specialize in estate planning for clients of all walks of life – those with families, those without; those with complicated assets, those without; those who are older and approaching the end of their lives, those who are not. More commonly, we are meeting with millennials…
At McCulloch & Miller, we often get questions from our clients about when it might be the right time to work on creating a living will. To answer this question, it is important to first understand what a living will entails and what effect it might have on you and…
When clients and prospective clients come to us for their estate planning needs, their first priority is often asking us to help them write their wills. What many clients don’t know, however, is that wills are only one option clients have at their disposal. Trusts are another tool that can…
In the final days of 2022, the U.S. Congress passed a federal law known as the SECURE Act 2.0. This law addresses retirement accounts and distributions throughout the country and was signed by the president in late December. While this law primarily affects how Americans manage their personal retirement accounts,…