Adult children have historically expected to inherit from their parents while in their 40s or 50s, yet now many aren’t doing so until their 70s or even 80s, as their parents live into their 90s or beyond. When should you expect to receive your inheritance? According to the Social Security…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Caregiving for Loved Ones, Without Family Feuds
Although nobody can be forced to participate as a caregiver, there are ways to approach the situation that are more likely to have a positive result. Families encounter many issues when planning care for a loved one. A common issue is the unwillingness of siblings to “step up to the…
The Time for Giving Is Upon Us! Check Out Houston Opportunities
The end of the year is a great time to consider making a contribution to a cause that is meaningful to you. Along with potential tax benefits, there is the enjoyment that comes from making a positive difference and helping the organization of your choice. Is the holiday spirit prompting…
Happy New Year? Review Your Finances, Then Celebrate!
Taken all together, these steps might seem overwhelming. But if you do one task each day, you can really change your financial life by year-end. Is it too late in the year to get your finances ironed out? Fortunately, a recent article from kjrh.com, titled “7 financial steps to take…
Checking Santa’s Estate Planning Tips for Houston
Yes, nobody relishes thinking about the day when they will no longer be around. But with a little effort and foresight, you can give your family the ultimate gift: a piece of mind. Here's a quick checklist of estate planning essentials. Not really ready for an estate planning talk around…
Financial Guidance for Late-in-Life Divorces
"There are no 'do-overs' after you agree to a settlement," says Vickie Adams, a certified financial planner and certified divorce finance analyst in San Pedro, Calif. "After 50, you'll have fewer years to recoup from financial errors, so it's essential to get this right." Here are a few tips for…
Ask These Estate Planning Questions Prior to 2015
Have a plan; either you decide or someone else does. Year-end is a great time to evaluate your estate planning goals! This timely topic was the theme of a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette titled "Holiday season is the best time to update your estate planning." Here are…
Should You “Leave It to Beaver” When It Comes to Houston Estate?
Leave it to Beaver? Or do you prefer to leave your estate to someone else? Today’s families are a lot different than Ward and June Cleaver. There are more families today with non-traditional situations than ever before. This makes financial and estate planning all the more important. If your family…
A Review of Perpetual Trusts?
“Why do we care about these perpetual trusts?” Mr. Sitkoff said. “Because there’s a lot of money in them. Billions of dollars is pouring into these jurisdictions.” Perpetual trusts: good or bad? The principle of this tool is up for debate. Perpetual trusts allow trust creators to maintain some control…
Houston Residents and Roth IRAs
These three questions merely scratch the surface of other factors that may need to be considered. Keep in mind that your estate at age 45 is likely very different from the one you’ll have at age 65 and 85 — your accounts change, you spend/inherit assets, and you gain/lose family…