Much is undoubtedly delivered with great love and compassion. But, sadly, it is also provided by family members who have no caregiving skills. Deciding on medical care later in life or setting it up for a loved one is a difficult process that should be thoroughly evaluated. While there are many…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Houston Older Adults Should Get Wishes In Writing Before It’s Too Late
Stop saying everyone knows what you want. Everybody probably doesn’t know. Or in their grief, they may not be able to make the decisions you would have preferred. If you don’t leave written instructions, emotions or unresolved issues can get in the way. The amount of frustration a family goes…
Houston Business Owners Should Address Risk Management
Asset protection is the process of employing risk management products and legally acceptable solutions to ensure a person’s wealth is not unjustly taken. Ever heard of the rule of entropy? Roughly, it says that things tend toward chaos. So it is with business and the chaos of litigation. If you…
Corporations 101: Structure And Taxes for Houston Businesses
For many years, when an individual outgrew a proprietorship, a corporation was the norm. Today, limited liability companies (LLCs) are popular. But despite the inroads of the LLC, corporations persist. But there are key differences between S and C status. If you own a business or are chosen to inherit…
Assisting Loved Ones With Assisted Living in Houston
Choosing whether assisted living would be the right option can be a complex decision requiring a dispassionate evaluation of the situation and careful consideration. The challenges of helping an aging parent plan for their late-in-life care can be strenuous. There are financial, medical and even emotional aspects of this type…
Houston Home Owners Should Know Key Issues Of Reverse Mortgages
Death of the borrower triggers the loan payoff, but the estate and heirs will never owe more than what the home is worth. Family homes are unique assets. And like many assets, family homes can be as complicated as they are meaningful. Even when heirs inherit a home with no…
Houston Investors May Realize Tax Savings With Frozen Assets
Estate freezing, under the right circumstances, can become a vital component of an intelligent wealth preservation strategy. A “frozen asset” can be viewed as an investment that refuses to move with the market. Fewer things are more annoying to a savvy investor! If an investment isn't growing, what is the…
Houston Families Note: Alzheimer’s Deaths Higher Than Prior Estimates
"Understanding that AD may contribute to almost as many deaths as the two leading killers in America, heart disease and cancer, is an eye-opening figure that may convince the public and policy makers that AD funding should be increased," James said. As you plan for old age, and even while…
Can Houston Families Manage Caregiver Expectations: Is There Compensation?
Suzanne M. Cheney performed many services for her stepfather, Anthony R. Turco, expecting to receive a share of his estate. However, to her great disappointment, he left her nothing. There is a difference between care given out of responsibility and that given out of expectation of payment. Similarly, there is…
No-Contest Clause: Don’t Let Heirs Contest Your Houston Will!
A no-contest clause may be a good idea if you have a beneficiary who may be upset by the property distributed to him or her. Consider this common estate plan predicament: you are drafting a will and know that if it is challenged by a spurned heir or for anyone…