One effective tool for property owners that are thinking through their estate plans is joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. While this form of ownership might not be right for everyone, it can certainly be an efficient, effective way to both maintain property and avoid probate down the line.…
When drafting a will or other estate plan in Texas, it is easy to think about including provisions for the distribution of assets and debts. What many people don’t realize, however, is that it is also smart to draft a living will. By definition, a living will is a legal…
In Texas and in other states, long term care is expensive; nursing homes, private care, and health aides are costly, and as Americans age, they face the issue of figuring out how to unlock crucial medical services. In general, there are three main ways to pay for long term care,…
Power of attorney is an important part of any estate plan that individuals tend to overlook. To cover some of the power of attorney basics, today’s blog focuses on the most frequently asked questions on the topic. With specific questions about how power of attorney applies to you or to…
The estate planning process in Texas offers a variety of tools for those looking to avoid probate. One such tool that we encounter often in our practice is the revocable living trust. On today’s blog, we cover the basics of the revocable living trust as well as a couple of…
Drafting an estate plan is an important first step in every person’s estate planning journey, but the work does not end there. Importantly, your estate plan should be up to date as you navigate life’s twists and turns. Today, we answer a common question we receive from our client community:…
There is no “one size fits all” approach to estate planning. Each person brings his or her own set of circumstances, goals, and opportunities to the table. One of the first questions we discuss with our potential clients during a first meeting is whether they would like to move forward…
If you are starting to think through your estate planning process, it can be difficult to know where to start. In our decades of practicing as Houston estate planning attorneys, we have noticed several mistakes that are common for people to make as they start their estate plans, and we…
Maintaining your estate plan is a bit like maintaining a car: it occasionally requires effort, but if you remain diligent, you should be well taken care of. The good news is that if you already have an estate plan, you have put in a significant amount of time and work,…
As we age, we need more health services to maintain our quality of life. Unfortunately, in this day and age, necessary services can cost a fortune. At McCulloch & Miller, one of our specialties is Medicaid crisis planning, which helps clients prepare for possible health needs in the future. If…