Legislation allowing Mississippians to place their assets in a trust for up to 360 years passed the state House and is now pending before Gov. Phil Bryant. How long should a trust really last? According to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Mississippi’s House Judiciary Chair Mark Barker said many states…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Plans to Secure Your Children’s Future
Although it is a difficult subject to face, you have options when it comes to protecting your estate and your family. The steps you take now can help prevent the wrong people from making decisions for your loved ones. If you have minor children, who will take care of them…
529 College Savings Plans Key for Houston Families
Given the rising cost of most college tuitions, the complexity of college loan agreements and the difficulty for most middle-income families in simply maintaining their budget for ordinary daily household expenses, planning for your children’s college education is an important topic to consider at the earliest possible stages of a…
Estate Planning in a Virtual World for Houston Planners
Roos said it’s important that people plan ahead and put “someone in charge of these digital assets and giving the family the opportunity to take over accounts if something were to happen, so they can control the information so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.” Have you heard the…
“Downton Abbey” — A Good Lesson for Houston Families
The viewers of this high-end PBS costume drama, which takes place about a century ago, could very likely be your clients' demographic. Look at who's a top corporate sponsor: Viking River Cruises, which told The New York Times that “our demographic is affluent Baby Boomers 55+.” It's a big group:…
Houston Family’s New to Estate Planning? See Helpful Guide
Whether you want to provide for your family after your death or you just want to ensure that the process is as easy as possible for your family, estate planning is the easiest way to accomplish your goals. What exactly is estate planning? Are you unsure of where to begin?…
Yes. YOU Do Need Estate Planning!
Have you thought about dying lately? Most of us don't. Make sure you do some estate planning today before things get complicated. End-of-life planning is not a fun topic to think about. Nobody wants to think about passing away, but is that going to change the inevitable? Not a chance.…
Lessons Learned from Elder Guardianship
Although many people feel frustrated by elder guardianship systems designed to protect adults no longer able to fend for themselves, what’s even sadder are the many instances where it turns out that the elder guardianship system is doing its job properly –and strangers have no choice except to step in…
Important Documents For Houston Families: Before Dementia Strikes
Accounting for the possibility of your own and your loved one’s eventual mental incapacity is a key part of any estate plan. If your loved one appears to be showing signs of diminishing mental acuity, ask if he or she has the proper documents in place. If so, find out…
Farming and Other Property Tax Breaks May Net Good Yields for Your Houston Estate Plan
People who own as little as three acres and engage in agricultural practices such as hay harvesting, bee keeping, chicken raising, and designating land for grazing animals may find themselves rewarded by localities with an enormous discount of up to 95 percent on property taxes. This tax break — available…