Family members are fighting to lift a shroud of secrecy following the death of a successful bishop who built a real estate empire and a megachurch. As reported in The Detroit News in "Family battles over megachurch founder's estate," the estate of a Pentecostal bishop from Detroit could be valued…
Few things in life are more joyous than the arrival of another new baby in the family. Among the necessary tasks is a review of your estate planning documents. If you had a will prepared for your first child, it is possible that the existing documents simply need to be…
What steps can you take when a parent passes away without sharing the location of a will or telling you who the attorney was who drafted and executed the will? What if you can't find any copies in what seem like reasonable hiding places in Houston? The article, "What steps…
Farmers are well versed in the cyclical nature of life, particularly those who deal with livestock. But thinking about your own demise is different than considering the eventual end of animals bred and raised solely for consumption. Talking about death among family members is difficult. But planning in advance for…
According to a recent study, "The Bank of Mom and Dad: a Source of Comfort for Everyone," an increasing number of parents in the U.S. are worried about their adult children's financial status and would be willing to sacrifice their own fiscal health. The study, issued by the BMO Wealth…
Those holiday gatherings were important for Houston families. And, family gatherings can be a valuable time for family discussions and decision making. This is particularly true for families facing the issues of legal incapacity, according to The Huffington Post. The article, "Legal Issues for Concerned Family and Friends of a…
January is an excellent time to review and update your estate plan – even if all you do is make a list of the things you mean to do in 2016. A recent article in The Business Investor's Daily, "5 Changes to Make to Your Financial Plan Now," provides a…
Financial planners who help families build and manage assets are often asked what documents are needed in an estate plan. The following documents create a foundation of an estate plan: an up-to-date will, a durable power of attorney for health care (sometimes called a health care proxy), and an advance…
The only way to make sure that your wishes are carried out after your death is to have the proper estate planning documents prepared in advance, according to a post from WMUR.com, "Money Matters: Common estate planning mistakes." Some people make the mistake of thinking that estate planning will be…
Trusts offer many advantages in estate planning. Privacy, avoiding probate, more control over personal finances, the ability to more closely monitor investments and tax planning are a few of the reasons to incorporate trusts into your estate plan, according to a recent article in Wilmington Business, "Selecting the Right Trustee."…